Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Record 2013-2014 
    
Graduate Record 2013-2014 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

J.D.-M.A.


The School of Law offers programs in conjunction with the University’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences that lead to the Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees. Students may apply for admission to receive the M.A. in English, foreign affairs, government, history or philosophy. Students must be admitted separately to both the School of Law and the program of choice in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Credits may be double-counted toward the degrees, depending on the program.

ENGLISH:

The J.D.-M.A. program in English was instituted in 1994 by the School of Law and the Department of English.

Administration of the Program Management of the program and advising of participant students are entrusted to Professor George Rutherglen in the School of Law and the director of graduate studies in the Department of English.

Admission to the Program Students are required to secure admission separately to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Law through the normal admissions processes of the two schools. The applicant will be held to the same standards as any other applicant, and the fact that s/he is a candidate for the dual degree program will not be considered in the admissions process. Once admitted to the two schools, the student may apply for admission to the dual degree program. Students may seek admission to the Graduate School and initiate the dual degree program after matriculating in the School of Law.

Curriculum The J.D.-M.A. program normally takes four years to complete. It may be possible to complete the program in a shorter time period by completing additional summer work and/or carrying a higher than average course load. NOTE: In accordance with ABA standards, J.D. degree candidates may not enroll in more than 17 credits total in any semester. In brief, the program consists of the complete first-year program in the School of Law followed by three years of courses taken from the curricula of the two schools and, in appropriate cases, from other graduate offerings at the University.

Students are required to meet all of the requirements set by the respective departments for the award of both the J.D. and the M.A. degrees. In the School of Law this means that the student must complete the required curriculum, meet minimum academic standards, and earn a minimum of 86 credits and six residency semesters in the School of Law. In the English department, requirements for the M.A. degree vary depending on the program, the M.A. in English or the M.A. in English and Medieval Studies. The programs’ different requirements appear in the department’s regulations for graduate studies, and all applicants should thoroughly familiarize themselves with these rules.

With the approval of the School of Law representative on the program committee, students may receive up to 12 of the 86 credits required for the J.D. degree in appropriate graduate-level work in the Department of English or other departments at the University. Graduate school courses in literary theory or cultural studies are the most likely candidates for such credit; Law credit is not usually given for literature courses. When directly relevant to a particular student’s Law program of study, however, the School of Law representative may grant Law credit for literature courses containing a significant component of cultural studies, literary theory, or cultural, intellectual, or social history. In all cases, the School of Law representative must approve credit for any course taken outside the School of Law to be applied towards the J.D. degree before the student enrolls in the course. NOTE: Credit towards the J.D. degree cannot be granted for course work completed prior to matriculation at the School of Law. Similarly, with the approval of the director of graduate studies of the English Department, a student may receive up to nine of the credits required for the M.A. degree in appropriate work in the School of Law. Whether a student may receive the full nine credits varies depending on the program within the English department.

Change of Status At any point in the program, the student may terminate plans for the dual degree program and continue towards a single degree at either school. The student then must satisfy the normal requirements of the school elected, which may include credits completed in the other school, as determined by the appropriate officials.

Financial Aid Financial aid will be provided by the school to which the student is paying tuition in a given semester. Financial aid is not guaranteed and is subject to individual school and University regulations and availability. Students must meet the satisfactory academic progress standards of the school providing the financial aid in a given semester.

Tuition and Fees J.D. degree candidates must complete six residency semesters in the School of Law and pay School of Law tuition and fees. For any semester in which a student is in full-time residence in the Department of English, the student must pay tuition and fees as a regular student in that department.

Extracurricular Activities Students are eligible to participate in the extracurricular activities of both schools to the extent that time permits, but should be alert to the possibility of over-commitment.

Grading Standards Students are required to meet the grading standards of both schools independently to remain in good standing. Each school retains the right to drop students from its degree program following its usual academic standards and procedures. Course grades will be recorded on the student’s transcript in accordance with the grading system in effect at the school in which the course is offered.

For More Information Contact the School of Law faculty advisor, Professor George Rutherglen. 

FOREIGN AFFAIRS OR GOVERNMENT:

The J.D.-M.A. program in Politics was instituted in 1970 by the School of Law and the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics.

Administration of the Program Management of the program and advising of participating students are entrusted to Professor John Norton Moore in the School of Law and the graduate advisor in the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics.

Admission to the Program Students are required to secure admission separately to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Law through the normal admissions processes of the two schools. The applicant will be held to the same standards as any other applicant, and the fact that s/he is a candidate for the dual degree program will not be considered in the admissions process. Once admitted to the two schools, the student may apply for admission to the dual degree program. Students may seek admission to the Graduate School and initiate the dual degree program after matriculating in the School of Law.

Curriculum The J.D.-M.A. program normally takes three and one-half years to complete. It may be possible to complete the program in three years by completing additional summer work and/or carrying a higher than average course load. NOTE: In accordance with ABA standards, J.D. degree candidates may not enroll in more than 17 credits total in any semester. In brief, the program consists of the complete first-year program in the School of Law, followed by two and one-half years of courses taken from the curricula of both schools and, in appropriate cases, from other graduate offerings at the University.

The student must meet all of the requirements set by the respective departments for the award of both the J.D. and the M.A. degrees. In the School of Law, this means that the student must complete the required curriculum, meet minimum academic standards, and earn a minimum of 86 credits and six residency semesters in the School of Law. In the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics, requirements for the M.A. degree in foreign affairs or government include 24 course credits plus 6 non-topical research credits, satisfactory performance on two comprehensive examinations, completion of a thesis under the supervision of two faculty advisors, and demonstration of appropriate competence in a foreign language or in quantitative research methods.

With the approval of the School of Law representatives on the program committee, a student may receive up to 12 of the 86 credits required for the J.D. degree in appropriate graduate-level work in the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics or other graduate offerings at the University. In all cases, the School of Law representative must approve credit for any course taken outside the School of Law to be applied towards the J.D. degree before the student enrolls in the course. NOTE: Credit towards the J.D. degree cannot be granted for course work completed prior to matriculation at the School of Law. Similarly, with the approval of the graduate advisor of the Department of Politics, a student may receive up to six of the 30 course credits required for the M.A. degree in appropriate work in the School of Law.

Change of Status At any point in the program, the student may terminate plans for the dual degree program and continue towards a single degree at either school. The student then must satisfy the normal requirements of the school elected, which may include credits completed in the other school, as determined by the appropriate officials.

Financial Aid Financial aid will be provided by the school to which the student is paying tuition in a given semester. Financial aid is not guaranteed and is subject to individual school and University regulations and availability. Students must meet the satisfactory academic progress standards of the school providing the financial aid in a given semester.

Tuition and Fees J.D. degree candidates must complete six residency semesters in the School of Law and pay School of Law tuition and fees. For any semester in which a student is in full-time residence in the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics, the student must pay tuition and fees as a regular student in that department.

Extracurricular Activities Students are eligible to participate in the extracurricular activities of both schools to the extent that time permits, but should be alert to the possibility of over-commitment.

Grading Standards Students are required to meet the grading standards of both schools independently to remain in good standing. Each school retains the right to drop students from its degree program following its usual academic standards and procedures. Course grades will be recorded on the student’s transcript in accordance with the grading system in effect at the school in which the course is offered.

For More Information Contact the School of Law faculty advisor, Professor John Norton Moore.

HISTORY:

In order to encourage the study of legal history and to attract able students into the field, the School of Law and the Corcoran Department of History offer a dual degree program leading to the degrees of J.D. and M.A. in History.

For More Information Contact the School of Law faculty advisor, Professor Risa L. Goluboff.

PHILOSOPHY:

The School of Law and the Department of Philosophy offer a dual degree program leading to the degrees of J.D. and M.A. in Philosophy. This program generally follows the format of the J.D.-M.A. in English program, except that the MOU from 1970 states that only 6 credits can be transferred.

Admission to the Program Students are required to secure admission separately to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Law through the normal admissions processes of the two schools. The applicant will be held to the same standards as any other applicant, and the fact that s/he is a candidate for the dual degree program will not be considered in the admissions process. Once admitted to the two schools, the student may apply for admission to the dual degree program. Students may seek admission to the Graduate School and initiate the dual degree program after matriculating in the School of Law.

Curriculum The dual J.D.-M.A. program normally takes four years to complete. It may be possible to complete the program in a shorter time period by completing additional summer work and/or carrying a higher than average course load. NOTE: In accordance with ABA standards, J.D. degree candidates may not enroll in more than 17 credits total in any semester. In brief, the program consists of the complete first-year program in the School of Law followed by three years of courses taken from the curricula of the two schools and, in appropriate cases, from other graduate offerings at the University. In all cases, the School of Law representative must approve credit for any course taken outside the School of Law to be applied towards the J.D. degree before the student enrolls in the course. NOTE: Credit towards the J.D. degree cannot be granted for course work completed prior to matriculation at the School of Law.

Students are required to meet all of the requirements set by the respective departments for the award of both the J.D. and the M.A. degrees. In the School of Law this means that the student must complete the required curriculum, meet minimum academic standards, and earn a minimum of 86 credits and six residency semesters in the School of Law. In the Department of Philosophy, 30 credits and completion of a thesis written under the supervision of a faculty advisor are required.

With the approval of the members of the Program Committee concerned a student may count up to 12 of the 86 credits required for the J.D. degree in appropriate graduate-level work in the Department of Philosophy or other departments at the University. Similarly, with the approval of the members of the Program Committee, a student may receive up to six credits earned in the School of Law towards the 30 credits required for the M.A. degree.

Change of Status At any point in the program, the student may terminate plans for the dual degree program and continue towards a single degree at either school. The student then must satisfy the normal requirements of the school elected, which may include credits completed in the other school, as determined by the appropriate officials.

Financial Aid Financial aid will be provided by the school to which the student is paying tuition in a given semester. Financial aid is not guaranteed and is subject to individual school and University regulations and availability. Students must meet the satisfactory academic progress standards of the school providing the financial aid in a given semester.

Tuition and Fees J.D. degree candidates must complete six residency semesters in the School of Law and pay School of Law tuition and fees. For any semester in which a student is in full-time residence in the Department of Philosophy, the student must pay tuition and fees as a regular student in that department.

Extracurricular Activities Students are eligible to participate in the extracurricular activities of both schools to the extent that time permits, but should be alert to the possibility of over-commitment.

Grading Standards Students are required to meet the grading standards of both schools independently to remain in good standing. Each school retains the right to drop students from its degree program following its usual academic standards and procedures. Course grades will be recorded on the student’s transcript in accordance with the grading system in effect at the school in which the course is offered.

For More Information Contact the School of Law faculty advisor, Professor Dan Ortiz.