Juris Doctor (see etymology and abbreviations below) is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law. The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree (such as the Dottore in Giurisprudenza in Italy and the Juris Utriusque Doctor in Germany and Central Europe). Originating from the 19th century Harvard movement for the scientific study of law, it is a law degree that in some common law jurisdictions has a goal of being the primary professional preparation for lawyers. It is a three year program in most jurisdictions.

In the United States, the professional doctorate in law may be conferred in Latin or in English, as Juris Doctor (JD or J.D.) or Doctor of Jurisprudence (DJur or D.Jur.), respectively. "Juris Doctor" literally means "Teacher of Law", while the Latin for "Doctor of Jurisprudence" - Jurisprudentia Doctor - literally means "Teacher of Legal Knowledge".