The University at which I teach allows for those with a Juris Doctorate to teach law and some lower level political science courses, the latter as an adjunct. In many cases it depends on the school, at least from my experience. Some people are appalled and offended that anyone would consider a J.D. a "doctorate." Others are not so picky. And, depending on the law school one attends, much of the curriculum is comparable to that of graduate school. So in reality, it is a bit of a gray area, again, the bulk of which is due to different schools.
And they aren't addressed by their students as "doctor"?! How are they listed when they present at academic conferences? I ask because although creative writing folks don't generally present at the same ones, they do at a few biggies, and they are always introduced with that honorific title.
It was a first name basis where I went.
JD's are not considered terminal degrees. LLM's are above them
I have a JD/MBA and it has always been treated as a dual masters for academic purposes. If someone treats it as a Phd. equivalent it would be news to me. Along the lines of what you indicated though, outside of law school and adjunct positions it is not particularly useful for someone who wants a full-time professorship and be treated as a Phd. would be.
You're certainly right on the latter part. As for the former, I suppose I should clarify. In most instances, though eligible to teach law, the J.D. is considered a Master's level title, though often times the, I suppose, "spiritual" title of "doctor" is applied in the classroom. Though, I'd imagine in correspondence, insofar as academic work is concerned, one would still be considered as having a masters.
Forgive me; apparently I was under the impression you thought one must have a PhD in order to teach law. While on the subject, I might add, it is often more beneficial to have a J.D. instruct a law class. Experience versus theory, for what it's worth.
I have a JD/MBA and it has always been treated as a dual masters for academic purposes. If someone treats it as a Phd. equivalent it would be news to me. Along the lines of what you indicated though, outside of law school and adjunct positions it is not particularly useful for someone who wants a full-time professorship and be treated as a Phd. would be.
Professional doctorates are awarded in certain fields where scholarly research is closely aligned with a particular profession, such as law, medicine, or psychology. Examples include the US and Canadian degrees of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Optometry (O.D.), Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.), Juris Doctor (J.D.), and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min).
Well I am of the opinion that adjuncts who are actual active practitioners will teach you more than those who run to teaching as a life boat. There are not enough of the former and too many of the latter in law schools IMO.
Hmm, I got this from (of course) Wikipedia which discusses "professional degrees":
Please explain how every other listed "professional degree" awarding the level "doctorate" may use the honorific "Doctor," except a lawyer? America invented the professional doctorate with the first MD awarded by Columbia U. in 1767. The J.D. in 1870.
I think it likely an issue of both semantics, practice and a bit of arrogance here. A juris doctorate ought to, at least in my eyes, confer the title of "Doctor" upon those who have it, after all, as you said, all the aforementioned professional degrees have it conferred upon them. I speculate much of the issue comes from the fact that more often those with a J.D. practice rather than teach in academia, and given we have the more colloquial term of "council" or "attorney" for those with the degree, they are not, in general, referred to as "Doctor." And as for arrogance, and it is a sad truth, many in academia feel a J.D. should not be considered a "Doctorate" because a "Juris Doctorate" is somehow inherently easier to obtain or of less worth that a "Doctor of philosophy."
Is it paying off for you?
2. J.D. Degree - Ph.D. Degree Equivalency
WHEREAS, the acquisition of a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree requires from 84 to 90 semester hours of post baccalaureate study and the Doctor of Philosophy degree usually requires 60 semester hours of post baccalaureate study along with the writing of a dissertation, the two degrees shall be considered as equivalent degrees for educational employment purposes;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that all appropriate persons be requested to eliminate any policy, or practice, existing within their jurisdiction which disparages legal education or promotes discriminatory employment practices against J.D. degree-holders who hold academic appointment in education institutions.
(E) -Nothing contained herein shall prohibit a lawyer from using or permitting the use of, in connection with his name, an earned degree or title derived therefrom indicating his training in the law.
Okay I have the definitive answer from the primary source, The American Bar Association. The ABA states that a J.D. and Ph.D. are equivalent; and individuals with a J.D. may use the title "Doctor" since they earned it.
http://www.americanbar.org/content/...2012_2013_council_statements.authcheckdam.pdf
This is the current American Bar Association Council Statement regarding the equivalency of a J.D. and a Ph.D....
...And ABA Model Code of Professional Responsibilty Rule 2-102(E) indicating the title derived from an earned degree may be used.
Research into the intepretation indicates that several states using the above citations confer the right to the title "Doctor" on individuals who have earned a J.D. These include NY, TX, various local Bars in CA, etc.
NYSBA | Ethics Opinion 105a
http://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template...mplate=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11911
Ethics Opinions from the Bar Association of San Francisco
However, lawyer's opinions are split on the value using it because of possible confusion or negative peer/client opinions.
Is a J.D. a Doctorate? | LawSchooli.com
THE NUTMEG LAWYER: I Have a JD. I Want to Be Called Doctor Too.
Any Lawyer Who Calls Himself ‘Doctor’ Like a Ph.D. Should Get Punched in the Mouth « Above the Law: A Legal Web Site – News, Commentary, and Opinions on Law Firms, Lawyers, Law Schools, Law Suits, Judges and Courts + Career Resource
CONLUSION: A J.D. holder has a doctorate equal to any Ph.D holder. The ABA and various states indicate the title Doctor can be used, however check with your own State Bar for local confirmation. Having said that I do not advocate using it, this was simply to show YES, we are DOCTORS not holders of glorified Master's degrees.
None of my friends from grad school do that.
On the whole I believe that most Law Schools tailor their JD programs to be more or less comparable to a PhD program in other disciplines. Some Law Schools, however, like Yale, offer an additional PhD in Law as a degree program for JD's who really want to pursue an academic career.
"The law is a ass — a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience — by experience."Yes, entirely too many of us.
"The law is a ass — a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is, that his eye may be opened by experience — by experience."
Dickens
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