Which universities did Erika Kirk attend and what degrees did she earn?

1. The basic facts: two universities, two named degrees

Reporting consistently lists Arizona State University (ASU) as the institution where Kirk completed her undergraduate work in political science and international relations, and Liberty University as the institution that awarded a postgraduate law-related degree often described as a Juris Master (J.M. or juris master) or a master’s in American legal studies ^{[1] [2] [4]}.

2. How outlets describe the graduate credential

News coverage and biographical pages use slightly different language but point to the same program: The Guardian and other outlets call it a “juris master’s degree in 2017” or “master’s degree in American legal studies” from Liberty University ^{[2] [1]}. A number of profiles and Kirk’s own website describe the credential as a “Juris Master’s Degree in American Legal Studies” ^{[5] [4]}. These formulations are consistent with a non-J.D. graduate law degree rather than a Juris Doctor.

3. Secondary claims and remaining discrepancies

Several sources add that Kirk studied at other colleges early in her career — for example, reporting that she played NCAA basketball at Regis University before transferring back to Arizona and finishing at ASU — but the consistent, repeatedly cited degrees are ASU (bachelor’s) and Liberty (master’s/Juris Master) ^{[4] [3]}. Profiles differ on the exact doctoral program she is pursuing: some reports say “doctorate in biblical studies,” others say “doctorate in Christian leadership” or that she is “currently studying for a doctorate” according to her website ^{[3] [2] [6]}. The variation is reported across outlets rather than corrected to a single title.

4. Sources’ lines of evidence and potential agendas

Mainstream news outlets (The Guardian, azcentral) and encyclopedic summaries (Britannica) reference Kirk’s listed degrees and her own website as the provenance for postgraduate and doctoral study claims ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Biographical sites and profile pieces (Fortune, The List, TuitionHero) repeat those claims while adding context about pageants, athletics and nonprofit work ^{[7] [4] [8]}. Some shorter or less formal pieces (personal website, advocacy-style writeups) emphasize professional readiness and accomplishment in ways that advance a favorable portrait of Kirk ^{[5] [9]}; readers should note those outlets may have an implicit promotional agenda.

5. What the available sources do not confirm

Available sources do not mention that Kirk earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or practiced law as a licensed attorney; they consistently describe a Juris Master or master’s in American legal studies ^{[1] [2] [5]}. Sources do not provide primary documents (transcripts or diplomas) in the reporting compiled here; assertions rest on institutional naming in profiles and Kirk’s own statements as reported ^{[3] [5]}.

6. Short reading list for verification

For readers seeking original reporting or institutional confirmation: Britannica’s biographical entry and The Guardian’s profile summarize the same degrees and cite her website; local reporting from azcentral gives additional detail and quotes Kirk’s site on doctoral study ^{[1] [2] [3]}. Kirk’s personal/about page repeats the Juris Master description ^[5].

Limitations: this summary relies exclusively on the supplied reporting, which repeats the same two-degree narrative while varying slightly on graduate degree naming and doctoral-study area; no source in the set provides direct institutional transcripts or a Liberty/ASU press release verifying dates beyond the reported 2017 master’s date ^{[1] [2]}.