Reply #7: Sorry - I AM correct. As per this Wiki link, most scholarly bodies do NOT

[spooky3]

recognize the JD as a "doctorate degree" comparable to a PhD. The American Bar Association promotes the alternative view, for obvious self-interest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juris_Doctor

"Although the American Bar Association has issued a Council Statement<127> advising that the J.D. be considered as being equivalent to the Ph.D. for employment and educational purposes,<128> the United States Department of Education, the National Science Foundation, and the European Research Council do not include the J.D. or other professional doctorates among the degrees that are equivalent to research doctorates.<129><130><131>"

The word "doctor" in the title of the JD degree is about as meaningful as the word "philosophy" in "Doctor of Philosophy" (PhD). Even in law schools, faculty are not addressed as "doctor", nor are they addressed as such in practice, for good reason.

There is NO comparison in the amount of work required for the JD versus true doctoral degrees. The JD takes only one year more than an MBA at most universities. It's not "ridiculous" to compare years - it's one basic metric that accreditation agencies use for determining whether degrees meet standards.

You are also comparing apples to oranges in your counting the time for BOTH the JD degree and the masters' degree in taxation, in making a comparison with the PhD and medical degrees. PhDs with post doc work, or a master's degree in another or specialized field, which would be more comparable, could involve 8-10 years beyond the undergraduate degree.