“Jurisprudence” refers to the philosophy of law. For non-lawyers to gain professionally from high levels of law and state-of-the-art problem-solving skills, the online jurisprudence degree is best suited. The Master of Jurisprudence applies the tenets of legal practice in various settings as diverse as technological companies, hospitals, media, entertainment, or government agencies.
Whether one starts to practice law or is established in the field of legal practice, one may learn to understand and interpret legislation in this legal studies program, to interpret the law, objectively assess business conditions, and make informed decisions.
In the United States, the Master of Jurisprudence is a title that is sometimes used interchangeably with Master of Laws and Master of Juridical Science. While a Master of Jurisprudence, or M.J., does not allow students to take the bar test and become a lawyer, it does offer significant benefits, particularly for individuals who work with a practicing attorney, deal with legal issues, contracts, and government compliance. Although this is an advanced degree for non-attorneys, lawyers may pursue it for job advancement or to become a specialist in a specific field of law.
When looking for online education programs and particularly a Masters in Jurisprudence, it is essential to factor in the program’s flexibility, the quality and experience of teaching staff, reputation of the institution, accreditation, affordability, and more. Based on these factors and more, OMC has drawn up this list of the best master’s in jurisprudence online programs in the United States:
<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/master-of-jurisprudence-online/">Masters in Jurisprudence Online </a>
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College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
---|---|---|
#1 Texas A & M University JKW Administration Building, Suite 200, College Station, Texas 77843 | $6,775 | 83% |
#2 Florida State University 222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306 | $9,684 | 84% |
#3 George Washington University 1918 F Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20052 | $31,770 | 85% |
#4 Samford University 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35229 | $20,587 | 77% |
#5 New York University 70 Washington Sq South, New York, New York 10012 | $34,704 | 88% |
#6 Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, California 90263 | $36,200 | 89% |
#7 Wake Forest University 1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106 | $38,650 | 89% |
#8 University of Southern California University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089 | $47,880 | 92% |
#9 Georgetown University 37th and O St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20057 | $53,136 | 94% |
#10 Washington University in St Louis One Brookings Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri 63130 | $56,300 | 94% |
#11 Emory University 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30322 | $43,800 | 90% |
#12 Tulane University of Louisiana 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118 | $59,090 | 86% |
#13 Seton Hall University 400 S Orange Ave, South Orange, New Jersey 07079 | $24,372 | 72% |
#14 University of Arkansas Administration Bldg 425, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 | $7,752 | 68% |
#15 Liberty University 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, Virginia 24515 | $7,935 | 54% |
#16 Drexel University 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 | $36,234 | 71% |
#17 Hamline University 1536 Hewitt Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104 | $11,570 | 65% |
#18 Trinity International University 9010 SW 137th Ave, Suite #101, Miami, Florida 33186 | $12,960 | NA |
#19 Arizona State University 1475 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257 | $6,516 | 24% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Jurisprudence is the legal interaction of the law within a variety of settings and specialties. The Masters in Jurisprudence online program is designed for students to gain legal analytical, communication, and critical thinking abilities, along with a deep understanding of legal practices, laws, interpretations, and applications of law, legal analysis, and understanding of the American legal system.
Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) degrees are intended for non-lawyer professionals who want to learn about the law. These degrees emphasize practical skills training in a range of legal-related sectors for students looking to further their careers or simply keep up with evolving regulatory needs. Typically, practicing lawyers and skilled professionals teach the courses.
Usually, the Master of Jurisprudence degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework. Specialized concentrations are available for more targeted studies, catering to a wide range of interests and work settings.
The MJur degree is muddled in overlapping degree types. Specializations play a considerable role in determining which degree type is best suited for a particular career path. For example, students with an MJ in health law online have a competitive advantage over their peers in the healthcare industry. Students who complete this program gain a unique perspective on healthcare law, regulations, and policies, as well as the ability to find work in the healthcare industry. However, there are predominantly two degree types common to Jurisprudence studies – the MS in Jurisprudence and the MPA Jurisprudence.
The Master of Science in Jurisprudence or MS in Jurisprudence, often also referred to as the MSJ, is a technically oriented degree for non-lawyers to study law and legalities. This degree type has a fair amount of research and touches upon more pragmatic and scientific topics.
A popular choice among students who want to study law is the Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in Jurisprudence. However, this degree is usually a combined MPA-JD program, enabling the student to take a sequence of courses leading to two simultaneous degrees called the Master of Public Affairs – Doctor of Jurisprudence.
Students must note that the Master of Jurisprudence is sometimes used as an alternative name for both Master of Laws and Master of Juridical Science. In conclusion, the M.Jur. is a broad degree, and it is therefore vital for prospective students to research which college offers the right course for their choice of career.
Specializations always lead to niche career paths and are excellent for those who want to narrow their study to specific areas within jurisprudence. Several colleges offer specializations and concentrations that allow for a tailor-made, flexible program. Students can either choose to remain focused on general legal studies or choose from a variety of specialization options such as:
Other specializations/concentrations include:
The Masters of Jurisprudence allows students to tailor their learning experience to their professional objectives and personal interests. Contracts, legal procedure, workplace law, legal writing, negligence, liability, and business law principles are all covered in the curriculum. Depending on the degree program and chosen specialization, the following courses could be available to students enrolled in an MJur program:
At the end of a Master in Jurisprudence online degree, graduates would have developed skills and abilities, some of which are but not limited to:
An online Master’s in Jurisprudence, like all master’s degrees, must be accredited for the degree to be valuable and considered by the job market. Accreditation agencies establish standards for schools to adhere to and ensure that they are met and maintained throughout the accreditation process. While some colleges have fully accredited programs (programmatic accreditation), most are regionally accredited, which is an equally valid option. In the United States, regional accreditation agencies include:
The American Bar Association (ABA) is usually the accrediting authority for law-related programs and law schools.
When applying for an online Master’s in Jurisprudence, students should always look for accredited universities or programs. Our Accreditation Guide contains more information on accreditation.
Online Master of Jurisprudence programs can take anywhere from one to up to three years to complete. Most online programs support working professionals, allowing students to learn on their own time. Part-time completion of the program is generally possible in two years. Students can work at their own speed and finish the degree in as much as five years.
The process of applying to a Master’s in Jurisprudence is relatively straightforward. As with most other graduate-level programs, universities typically tend to have the following admission requirements:
While it is best to earn a master’s degree in Jurisprudence from a university that is accredited and of some repute, students who are pressed for time, or who want to learn the subject out of interest or wish to supplement their master’s degree with additional courses (to gain further knowledge), could look for free content and courses that are available online. However, one must remember that these courses do not culminate in a master’s degree, although some offer certificate courses that may be of value in the job market. Here are a few resources for free online courses in Jurisprudence:
Note: Some of the courses mentioned on these sites may be free, while others may demand a small fee. As policies and offers keep changing periodically, students are advised to check for the latest ones that suit their needs.
Several schools across the United States offer 1-year Master’s in Jurisprudence degree programs. However, the exact length and duration of the program will vary, depending on the student’s abilities, chosen coursework and specialization, transfer credits, and program format or structure.
An online Master’s in Jurisprudence can be just as expensive as other masters’ programs. External funding will help offset the high cost of graduate school and related educational expenses, which is why graduate students should think about and explore the following funding options when applying to a university school:
Scholarships are frequently the first and best alternative for students to support their additional education because they are based on academic success, community service, cultural heritage, religious affiliation, and so on. Scholarships might be merit-based, privately provided, alumnae-funded, or awarded by cultural, religious, or commercial organizations. (Note: To prevent being defrauded online, read about Scholarship Scams.)
In addition to tuition, grants are frequently available to pay educational expenses such as study materials, books, stationery, travel, and lodging. Grants, unlike scholarships, are typically need-based and are not provided based on academic performance.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships are two typical types of assistantships offered by numerous universities. An assistantship provides students with a stipend, which can help cover some of the costs of education.
Students can qualify for federal loans, bank loans, and private loans, all of which need interest payments. However, it should be noted that late or deferred payments will almost certainly result in higher student debt.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, can be used to determine whether a student is eligible for financial aid. FAFSA-related information can be found here.
Read the best Financial Guide to learn more about various funding options and their numerous advantages and drawbacks.
Many students ask the question, “what is an MJ degree?”. To put it in a nutshell, an MJ or Master of Jurisprudence is an advanced degree for non-attorneys, while lawyers may pursue it to better their careers or become specialists. Here are a few other frequently asked questions:
Although a Master in Jurisprudence may be an expensive pursuit, graduates of this degree often land themselves stable and high-paying jobs, making the degree worthwhile.
“Jurisprudence” refers to the philosophy of law and is the legal interaction of the law within a variety of settings and specialties. Policy is defined as “a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization or individual”. In the context of jurisprudence, policy is based upon the written law, its interpretation, ramifications, and fairness to all.
The abilities of a jurisprudence graduate can benefit a wide array of organizations and individuals. As a result, program graduates may pursue careers as corporate attorneys, civil rights lawyers, contract lawyers, regulatory and ethics lawyers, or international business lawyers. Individuals can even form their own law firms and specialize in copyright infringement, bankruptcy, tax law, or any other field of law, and even provide advice to educational institutions and healthcare providers. Some jurisprudence jobs usually held by MJ graduates include but are not limited to:
The Master of Jurisprudence salary for graduates is quite respectable. For example, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators earn a median annual salary of $66,130, with a job outlook of 10% between 2020 and 2030, while paralegals and legal assistants earn a median annual salary of $52,920, with a job outlook of 12% between 2020 and 2030. Similarly, claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators take home a median annual salary of $68,130, but with a slightly negative growth of -3% between 2020 and 2030.
Certifications always provide extra and weighted credentials to working professionals. Graduates of a Master in Jurisprudence can receive recognition for their specialized practice by earning certification in a specialty field of law while certifying competency, experience, and proficiency as well.
The American Bar Association (ABA) is a powerful and recognized independent body that accredits and offers 4 specialization areas for attorneys and law graduates. There are state-level specialty board certification programs or national specialty board certification programs to choose from.
The Lawyer Legion provides exact and fuller information on certifications.
As far as licensing goes, most sectors do not require a specific license for a Master of Jurisprudence graduate to work or practice, usually because they do not present themselves in court as attorneys. However, depending on the state one resides in and works in, sensitive sectors may require specific licensure from a Compliance Certification Board.
The law, and especially its various interpretations under varying circumstances, tends to get complex and cumbersome. Therefore, Jurisprudence students and working professionals will do well to connect with others in the field, compare past notes, examine argued or disposed of cases, and seek advice from stalwarts and seniors. Here are a few associations and resources to get started:
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