What Degree Programs Does UC Berkeley Law Offer?
UC Berkeley Law offers four main degree tracks: the JD (Juris Doctor) for students pursuing a first law degree in the U.S., the LLM (Master of Laws) for lawyers who already hold a law degree, the JSD (Doctor of Juridical Science) for advanced research, and a set of joint degrees that pair law study with another graduate field. Which one fits you depends on whether you already hold a law degree, whether you want to practice in the U.S., and whether your goal is professional practice or academic research. The school's own description lists "JD, LLM, JSD and joint degrees, as well as individual courses," so those are the categories to work from.
The four degree tracks at a glance
| Program | Who it's for | Typical purpose |
|---|---|---|
| JD | Students seeking a first law degree in the U.S. | Qualifying for U.S. bar admission and legal practice |
| LLM | Lawyers who already hold a law degree, often from outside the U.S. | Specializing, gaining U.S. legal training, or preparing for bar eligibility |
| JSD | LLM or JD holders aiming at research and scholarship | Producing original legal research, often for academic careers |
| Joint degrees | JD students who want a second graduate credential | Combining law with another discipline |
JD — the standard U.S. law degree
The JD is the entry-level professional degree for people who do not yet hold a law degree and intend to practice in the United States. It is the track referenced in Berkeley Law's admissions content, including the "Connect with Admissions / Plan Your Visit" page. If you are a prospective law student without a prior law degree, this is the program to look at first.
LLM — for lawyers who already have a law degree
The LLM is designed for people who already hold a law degree, frequently from a jurisdiction outside the U.S. Berkeley Law's site highlights its LL.M. community directly — for example, the page "No Borders: The Berkeley Law LL.M. Program" and alumni and student profiles such as Anthony Shallat LL.M. '25 and Annamhel Monique Roa LL.M. '26. If your goal is to add U.S. legal training or specialize within an existing legal career, the LLM is the relevant track.
JSD — the research doctorate
The JSD is the advanced research degree, aimed at candidates who want to produce original legal scholarship, typically after completing an LLM or JD. It sits at the academic rather than the practice-oriented end of the school's offerings. Choose this track if your objective is a research or academic career rather than bar-qualified practice.
Joint degrees — law plus another field
Joint degrees let JD students combine legal study with another graduate discipline. Berkeley Law's site references this category alongside the JD, LLM, and JSD, so it is worth checking the school's degree pages for the specific pairings currently offered rather than assuming a fixed list.
How to decide which track applies to you
- No law degree yet, want to practice in the U.S. → JD
- Already a lawyer, want U.S. training or specialization → LLM
- Want to research and write legal scholarship → JSD
- In a JD program and want a second discipline → joint degree
Where to check curriculum and application details
Berkeley Law's site organizes its academic offerings under "Areas of Study" (for example, Criminal Justice, Law and Technology, and Environment and Energy) and lists research institutes, clinics, and student-initiated legal services projects. The site's own figures include 30 research institutes and centers, 15 clinics, and 41 student-initiated legal services projects. For program-specific curriculum and application requirements, go to the official degree pages rather than relying on summaries — admission criteria, deadlines, and costs are set by the school and change over time.