Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other.
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Debt to Income Ratio
Why Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other. stands out: With a debt-to-income ratio of just 34.7%, graduates of this program typically enjoy manageable student loan payments compared to their first-year earnings. This low ratio means that, on average, students who complete Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other. can expect to pay off their student debt faster and with less financial stress than most other fields. Programs with a DTI below 0.5 are considered excellent by financial experts, making this degree a smart investment for your future.
For example, with a median salary of $67017 and average student debt of $23261, the financial outlook for Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other. graduates is especially strong in .
Key Insights
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other. is a program that attracts motivated students who want to make an impact. Starting pay for new grads is typically $67017, and with an average debt of $23261, the debt-to-income ratio comes in at 0.35—meaning you’ll have lots of flexibility after graduation.
This program sees about 11141 graduates annually, so you’ll be joining a well-established network. Whether you’re aiming for a high-paying job, a stable career, or a chance to make an impact, Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other. is a great foundation. Remember, your journey is shaped by the opportunities you pursue—so get involved and stay curious!
Degree Overview
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other (CIP 22.0299) is a specialized category for legal scholars, international practitioners, and technical specialists who seek mastery beyond the standard Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. While a J.D. qualifies you to practice law, professionals in this "Other" category are "Legal Scientists." They typically pursue advanced degrees like the Master of Laws (LL.M.) or Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) to focus on highly technical global regulations, rare legal systems, or the philosophy of law itself.
This field is ideal for "intellectual specialists"—individuals who want to be the world's leading authority on a specific niche, such as Space Law, Islamic Finance Law, or the intersection of Law and Quantum Computing.
What Is an "Other" Advanced Legal Studies Degree?
A degree in this category is an elite academic path that emphasizes comparative law, high-level research methodology, and global regulatory harmonization. You will study the "Theoretical Core"—moving beyond how the law works to why it works and how it should be redesigned for the future. Because this code houses niche programs, your studies might focus on Tribal Law and Sovereignty, Maritime/Admiralty Jurisprudence, or the Legal Frameworks of Artificial General Intelligence. It prepares you to be a "Global Thought Leader" who advises governments and international bodies on the most complex legal puzzles of the century.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Legal Academics" who will teach at top-tier law schools and conduct original research
- Develop experts in Foreign Law, allowing international attorneys to specialize in U.S. law or vice versa
- Prepare professionals for High-Level Policy Design, working with organizations like the UN, World Bank, or IMF
- Study Judicial Philosophy (Jurisprudence), exploring the deep ethical and logical roots of justice systems
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that "the law is a living laboratory"; they focus on comparative analysis and structural innovation across different cultures and eras.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Comparative Methodology—analyzing how different legal systems (Common Law vs. Civil Law) solve the same problem
- Use "Advanced Empirical Research"—applying statistical tools to analyze court rulings and social outcomes
- Design Global Regulatory Standards—creating rules that can be applied across multiple countries simultaneously
- Perform Deep Textual Interpretation—analyzing ancient or foreign legal codes to find modern applications
- Utilize Interdisciplinary Synthesis—combining law with economics, sociology, or technology to solve complex issues
- Understand Supranational Governance—the rules governing how international organizations exert authority
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a blend of high-level theory and specialized technical practice:
- International Commercial Arbitration: Solving multi-billion dollar business disputes outside of any single nation's court system.
- The Evolution of Sovereignty: How digital borders and global corporations are challenging the traditional power of the state.
- Philosophy of Law: Exploring the works of thinkers like Hart, Dworkin, and Rawls to understand the "Idea of Justice."
- Specialized Regulatory Science: The legal rules governing biotechnology, carbon credits, or autonomous vehicles.
- Comparative Constitutionalism: Studying how different nations draft and interpret their founding documents.
- Advanced Legal Writing and Publication: Mastering the skills required to publish in elite law journals and influence judicial thinking.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as elite consultants, law professors, and senior advisors in the highest levels of global commerce and government.
Common job roles include:
- Law Professor/Academic Researcher: Teaching the next generation of lawyers and writing influential legal treatises.
- Senior International Consultant: Advising multinational corporations on navigating conflicting global regulations.
- Policy Director for International NGOs: Leading legal strategy for groups like Amnesty International or the Red Cross.
- Chief Regulatory Architect: Designing the compliance systems for massive industries like global finance or tech.
- Specialized Arbitrator/Mediator: Serving as a neutral judge in high-stakes international legal disputes.
- Legal Historian/Philologist: Researching the origins of law to inform modern constitutional interpretation.
Where Can You Work?
These specialists are the "architects of the global order":
- Elite Law Schools: Leading research centers and academic departments.
- International Organizations: Working at the World Trade Organization (WTO), the UN, or the European Court of Justice.
- Top-Tier Think Tanks: Influencing public policy at the Brookings Institution or the Council on Foreign Relations.
- Corporate General Counsel Offices: Handling the most complex, multi-jurisdictional legal "crisis management."
- Government High Courts: Working as a senior advisor or clerk to Supreme Court justices or international tribunals.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because of the extreme specialization and the "global" nature of these roles, earning potential is at the top of the legal profession.
- Senior International Arbitrators: Can earn $200,000–$500,000+ per year depending on the complexity of the cases.
- Tenured Law Professors: Median annual salary of approximately $150,000–$250,000 at top-tier institutions.
- Global Regulatory Directors: Salaries typically range from $160,000 to $280,000+.
- Senior Policy Analysts (International): Median annual salary of around $110,000–$165,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the extreme level of abstraction and technicality. You are not just learning "the law"; you are debating the very nature of human authority and logic. It requires a brilliantly analytical and persistent mindset—you must be comfortable reading 500-page academic texts in multiple languages and writing original theories that can withstand intense peer review. It is a major that rewards those who have a "Philosopher's Soul" and a "Scientist's Precision."
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Already have a J.D. or foreign law degree and want to become a world-class expert in a niche area
- Love the "Big Questions"—Why do we follow laws? How can we make them more just?
- Want a career that allows you to travel the world and influence international policy
- Are fascinated by how technology and globalization are breaking old legal rules
- Enjoy writing and research as much as (or more than) arguing in a courtroom
How to Prepare
- Since this is usually a post-graduate path, the best preparation is to excel in your J.D. or undergraduate legal studies
- Master a second or third language; comparative law is much easier if you can read original codes
- Practice Academic Writing—aim to get published in a law review or undergraduate research journal
- Focus on Formal Logic and Statistics; advanced research requires a high level of mathematical literacy
- Read International News and Legal Treatises to understand where the "friction points" in global law are located
The ability to apply advanced research logic and theoretical mastery to the world's most complex legal challenges is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
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