Anything ICT Web DeskWhether you’re looking to switch careers, boost your earning potential, or take your industry expertise to new heights, you’ve likely stumbled across the juris master degree.
This specialized law degree for non-lawyers is often marketed as an opportunity to “get a legal education without becoming a practicing attorney.”
But what can you actually do with a juris master? Is getting this degree worth your time and money?
In this article, I’ll break down the awesome opportunities that a juris master degree opens up. I’ll also reveal some important limitations you need to keep in mind.
Let’s dive right in.
What is a Juris Master Degree?
A juris master (J.M.) is an advanced law degree designed for non-lawyer professionals.
Unlike a juris doctor (J.D.) degree that allows you to sit for the bar exam and become a practicing attorney, the juris master is tailored for those who want to learn about the law and legal risk – but who don’t want to work as fully credentialed lawyers.
Most J.M. programs last 1-2 years of full-time study and cover core legal subjects like contracts, compliance, business associations, and more.
Common Juris Master Specializations:
- Health Law and Compliance
- Employee Benefits
- Intellectual Property
- Tax Law
- Corporate Compliance
- Government Compliance
After graduating, J.M. degree holders gain specialized legal knowledge that can open up cool career opportunities (I’ll cover these in-depth below).
“But wait,” you might be thinking, “Why not just get an LLM (Master of Laws) if you want a legal degree without becoming a lawyer?”
That’s a great question…
5 Key Juris Master vs LLM Differences
While J.M. and LL.M. degrees overlap in some ways, there are 5 key differences:
- Program Length: J.M. degrees typically take around 1-2 years, while LL.M. programs usually last 1 year.
- Prerequisite: An LL.M. requires a J.D. or foreign law degree first. A J.M. does not.
- Focus: LL.M.s tend to take a narrower, in-depth dive into one area of law. J.M. programs cover a broader range of legal topics.
- Cost: In general, J.M. degrees are more affordable than getting an LL.M.
- Career Path: LL.M.s are geared toward lawyers who want to specialize. J.M.s target non-lawyer professionals.
With that background out of the way, let’s get into what you actually came here for…
What Can You Do With a Juris Master Degree?
The career paths open to juris master holders generally fall into two main buckets:
- Compliance & Legal Risk Management Roles
- Enhanced Expertise in Heavily-Regulated Industries
Let’s look at each bucket in more detail.
Juris Master Job Opportunities #1: Compliance & Legal Risk Management Roles
In fields like banking, healthcare, and corporate environments – legal and compliance oversight is crucial.
And companies are always on the hunt for professionals who truly understand rules, regulations, and how to mitigate risk. That’s where J.M. grads shine.
Some common job titles you can pursue with a juris master in compliance include:
- Compliance Officer
- Compliance Manager
- Compliance Specialist
- Compliance Analyst
- Corporate Compliance Officer
- Legal Risk Manager
- Regulatory Compliance Professional
For example, someone with a juris master in health law could oversee compliance and risk management for a hospital or healthcare provider.
A juris master in government or corporate compliance could run the compliance department for a large public company, protecting the organization from lawsuits and regulatory infractions.
Salaries in these roles vary widely depending on your experience, location, and specific responsibilities. But many legal compliance and risk management jobs pay $90K-$150K+ per year.
Juris Master Job Opportunities #2: Regulated Industry Career Boost
The second major career opportunity for juris masters?
Gaining advanced legal training within heavily regulated fields.
A J.M. grad with deep knowledge of topics like contracts, taxation, intellectual property, and more can be a huge asset in certain industries.
This deep legal expertise opens up career opportunities like:
- Human Resources Manager (with knowledge of labor laws)
- Government Affairs Director (with a government compliance specialization)
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist (biotechnology, medical device, pharma, etc.)
- Tax Specialist or Tax Manager
- Patent/Trademark Officer
- Employee Benefits Specialist
- Contracts Manager
- Health Services Administrator (with health law knowledge)
Taking a look at the salaries again, roles in heavily regulated industries that benefit from legal training often pay in the $75K-$150K+ range.
For example, human resources managers earn a median pay of $121,220 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
And it’s not just about the salary boost…
Job security and career advancement are other big benefits of having juris master training. Companies in fields like healthcare, finance, government and others are always looking for candidates with specialized legal knowledge.
You’ll have a definite competitive advantage over those without a legal background. That can translate into more opportunities for advancement and job stability.
3 Awesome Jobs Only for Juris Masters
There are a few specific roles earmarked for professionals with a juris master degree.
-
Special Education Advocate
As a special education advocate, you’d guide parents through the legal and bureaucratic maze regarding their children’s special education needs.
Many special education advocates use their juris master training to offer legal advice and services for things like IEP meetings, discipline issues, and securing appropriate accommodations.
-
Healthcare Manager/Administrator
Healthcare is heavily regulated at both the federal and state levels. As hospitals, clinics, and facilities look to cut legal costs and in-house counseling needs, they’re turning to juris master degree holders.
Those with a J.M. in health law and compliance can oversee areas like HIPAA compliance, medical staff credentialing, risk management, and more.
-
Contract Manager
Any company buying, selling or leasing products/services needs experts who can negotiate and review contracts.
Those with a juris master in contract law are well-suited to be the go-to contract manager for an organization. This role involves revising, drafting, and analyzing purchasing and sales agreements.
According to PayScale, contract managers earn an average salary of $71,777 per year.
The Limitations of a Juris Master
I wouldn’t be giving you the full picture if I didn’t also cover the limitations of a juris master.
First and foremost, you can’t take the bar exam or work as a practicing attorney with a J.M.
You’re not legally trained at the same level as a juris doctor holder or accredited attorney. So there are restrictions on the “legal work” you can do.
For example, J.M. grads cannot:
- Represent clients in court
- Give specific legal advice or counsel
- Participate in litigation
- Draft legal documents like wills, trusts or contracts (unless under attorney supervision)
Additionally, while a J.M. can help your resume stand out over someone without legal training, it’s not automatically a golden ticket to career advancement or higher salaries.
Much depends on the specific roles, employer, and industry. So you’ll need to do some extra homework to determine if a juris master is worth the investment for your goals.
Juris Master: Is It Worth It For You?
At the end of the day, deciding if a juris master is worth pursuing comes down to two primary factors:
- Your Career Goals
- The Specific Program
If your aim is to give yourself a competitive edge, deeper expertise, and advanced legal training within a regulated field like healthcare, employee benefits, intellectual property, government, taxation and beyond… a juris master can absolutely give you those advantages.
But if your goal is to become a practicing attorney who can work as legal counsel, represent clients, go to court and provide unrestricted legal advice, then a juris master is NOT going to cut it.
Your better option is to get a traditional juris doctor (J.D.) degree instead.
The other major consideration is the quality and reputation of the particular J.M. program itself.
Not all degrees are created equal. So you’ll want to thoroughly vet things like:
- The core curriculum
- Specializations offered
- Faculty credentials and backgrounds
- Program cost versus expected return on investment
- Accreditation status (look for an ABA-approved program)
- Graduate job placement stats
- Alumni reviews/testimonials
Taking the time upfront to scrutinize different juris master programs can mean the difference between graduating with added skills/career momentum… or wasting years and tens of thousands of dollars.
Bottom Line
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to what you can do with a juris master. These specialized legal degrees open career doors in compliance, legal risk management, and regulated industries like healthcare.
But a juris master isn’t for aspiring attorneys. And some programs are certainly better investments than others.
At the end of the day, a J.M. is a commitment of money, time and effort. So carefully map out your career goals first before deciding if this degree is the right move for you.
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