<p>Is an MA from a top IR program (SAIS, SIPA, SFS) at an automatic loss for policy/government/non-profit positions when competing against a JD, particularly one who focused on i-law?</p>
<p>Definitely not. A JD is not the holy grail of degrees. </p>
<p>Check out jobs for orgs you have thought you would like to work for. The degree requirements, as well as the requisite work experience, vary from job to job.</p>
<p>Yeah, who cares if it's a JD? If you've got a top IR MA then in a competition against someone with a top JD the decision will be based on other factors.</p>
<p>(provided the position isn't explicitly related to international law, obviously)</p>
<p>I agree. It really depends on the job...</p>
<p>No offense but most job interviews don't come down to "The young guy with the JD vs. the young guy with the IR degree!" like some sports competition. Usually it is the "Young guy with the JD or IR vs. the old guy with 25 years of public service, with the older guy winning out. I hate to break it to everyone, but a JD or IR degree gets you nowehere unless you are ready to do your time. All a degree does it put you in a position to have a good career, it doesn't let you jump the line.</p>
<p>That's true, but we were talking about a specific hypothetical situation. Would someone with 25 years experience really be applying for the same position as a (rational and realistic) fresh grad? It's a genuine question, as I have no experience with the graduate job market.</p>
<p>whatsupma,</p>
<p>The vast majority of policy/government jobs are filled by people with degrees that are not JDs. If you were planning on running for Congress, then yes, you'd be at a disadvantage. For State/alphabet soup/NGO, then no.</p>