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Joint Degree Programs

Our Joint Degree Programs

The Law School offers several formal joint-degree programs that allow students to combine a law program with programs from other Indiana University schools and departments. These joint-degree programs allow students to earn a J.D. and either a master's degree or a Ph.D. in another discipline. Joint degrees decrease the time, typically by a year, that students would spend earning both degrees separately. Joint-degree programs with other disciplines may be individually designed and structured to meet students' learning and career goals. Proposals for such individually designed programs should initially be submitted to the School of Law. The School of Law will coordinate with the other school or department to establish the joint or concurrent program.

Candidates for joint-degree programs are encouraged to apply for admission to each school at the same time. However, law students can apply for admission to the other school or department before the end of the second year of law study. Students enrolled in master's programs at other schools and departments should apply for admission to the Law School before the end of the first year of the master's program. Each degree has required course work. Joint degrees are awarded at the same time, and all requirements in both schools must be completed in order to receive each degree.

Whether in a formal or individually structured joint-degree program, students typically spend their first year at the Law School. Thereafter, course time is divided between the Law School and the other school or department in whatever way best meets the educational objectives of the student and the program requirements.

As a general rule, joint-degree programs do not require academic work during the summer recess, permitting joint-degree candidates to take advantage of opportunities for internships, clerkships, and summer associate programs.

Business

The School of Law and the Kelley School of Business offer four-year programs leading to the combined degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA), JD and Master of Business Administration in Accounting (MBA-A), and JD and Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA). These programs permit a student to acquire two degrees in four years instead of the customary five years. An accelerated JD and MBA program allows a student to complete two degrees in three years. Each degree has required course work. Degrees are awarded simultaneously, and all requirements in both schools must be completed in order to receive either degree.

All joint-degree students must complete 79 credit hours in law, including all degree requirements. The JD/MBA requires 42 credit hours in the School of Business, and the JD/MBA in Accounting requires 54 credit hours in the School of Business. Students pursuing the JD/MBA in Accounting typically specialize in taxation or financial tracks. The JD/MPA requires 18 to 21 credits in the Kelley School of Business.

Students enrolled in the School of Law may apply for admission to the School of Business before the end of the second year of law study. Students enrolled in the School of Business may apply for admission to the School of Law no later than the end of the first year of study.

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Public and Environmental Affairs

The School of Law and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) of Indiana University offer two joint degrees.

The joint JD/MPA (Master of Public Affairs) program offers students the opportunity to specialize in areas such as comparative and international affairs, environmental and natural resources management, health services administration, personnel management and labor relations, policy analysis, public financial administration, public information systems management, or public or urban management. Most graduates work in the public or governmental sector.

Applicants for the JD/MSES (Master of Science in Environmental Science) must have a bachelor's degree in a physical or life science, engineering, or mathematics. Fields of concentration for the joint MS degree are offered in applied ecology, environmental chemistry, hazardous waste management, and water resources.

If you are interested in either of these degrees, you should apply to both schools at the same time; however, those already enrolled in the School of Law may apply for admission to the School of Public and Environmental Affairs through the second year of law study. A student enrolled in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs may seek admission to the School of Law up to the end of the first year of the master's program in environmental science.

Students customarily spend the first year in the School of Law and thereafter divide the second, third, and fourth years between the two schools, taking an average of 4 to 8 credit hours of law courses and 4 to 8 credit hours of SPEA courses each semester. Graduation requirements for the joint degrees are 79 credit hours in law and 36 credit hours in SPEA courses.

Joint degree students specializing in environmental policy or science participate in an ongoing workshop to share their research. Each year, the workshop addresses a new current issue that allows faculty and students to collaborate in applying interdisciplinary perspectives. For instance, in 2002—03, the workshop focuses on environmental issues involved in the management of the Ohio River.

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Communications

The Law School and the Department of Telecommunications offer joint Doctor of Jurisprudence—Master of Arts/ Master of Science degrees. Under the program, students may complete both the JD and the MA or MS in telecommunications in eight semesters.

Interested students usually apply to the Law School and the Department of Telecommunications at the same time; however, a person already enrolled in the Law School may apply for admission to the Department of Telecommunications up to the completion of the second year of law study. A student enrolled in telecommunications may seek admission to the School of Law up to the end of the first year of the master's program.

Students customarily spend the first year in the School of Law and thereafter divide the second, third, and fourth years between the two units. Requirements for graduation are 79 credit hours in law (including all degree requirements) and 27 credit hours in telecommunications courses.

The School of Law and the School of Journalism offer a joint Doctor of Jurisprudence/ Master of Arts in Journalism degree.

Students may apply to the School of Journalism on the Bloomington campus at the same time they apply to the School of Law on the Bloomington campus. Students already enrolled in the School of Law may apply to the School of Journalism up to the completion of their second year of law study. Students enrolled in the School of Journalism may apply to the School of Law up to the end of their first year of the master's program. Students would customarily spend the first year in the School of Law and thereafter divide the second, third, and fourth years between the two units. The joint program requires a minimum of 79 hours in law and 30 hours in journalism, including a thesis. There are two tracks available for the Master of Arts in Journalism:

Master of Arts Degree, Research and Teaching Track
A total of 30 credit hours in journalism, including Introduction to Mass Media Research, Media and Society Seminar, MA thesis, and 21 additional credit hours in journalism.

Master of Arts Degree, Professional Track
A total of 30 credit hours in journalism, including Public Affairs Reporting, Media and Society Seminar, two professional journalism skills courses, and 18 additional credit hours in journalism.

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Library and Information Science

The School of Law and the School of Library and Information Science offer a four-year combined program leading to the Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) and Master of Library Science (MLS) degrees. The program is designed for students who wish to enter the field of law librarianship. Students should apply to both schools at the same time for the combined degree. However, students already enrolled in the School of Law may apply for admission to the program no later than the end of their second year of law study, and students already enrolled in the School of Library and Information Science may apply to the School of Law no later than the end of their first year of MLS study.

The program requires students to complete 79 credit hours in the School of Law, including all degree requirements, Copyright Law, and Constitutional Law II, and 30 credit hours in the School of Library and Information Science, including the degree requirements of that school for this program.

More Information

Further information about these joint degree programs may be obtained from the admissions offices of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, the Kelley School of Business, the School of Journalism, the Department of Telecommunications, the School of Library and Information Science, the University Graduate School, and the School of Law—Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405.

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Social Science

The School of Law and the University Graduate School offer a combined program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Law and Social Science degree. This program involves interdisciplinary research and problem solving in areas where law and social science overlap.

Applicants must apply separately to, and be admitted by, the Law School, the collaborating academic department, and the University Graduate School (which awards all Ph.D. degrees). Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL results. Applicants may also be required by the collaborating academic department to take additional tests such as the GRE.

Each Ph.D. candidate will be assigned an advisory committee consisting of at least two faculty members from the Law School and at least two faculty members from the collaborating academic department. The chairperson of the advisory committee will serve as the candidate's primary academic advisor.

The candidate must complete at least one academic year in residence in the Law School after matriculating in the Ph.D. program. The candidate must also comply with any residency requirements that may be imposed by the collaborating academic department.

The candidate must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours. At least 30 credit hours must be earned in required law courses, and at least 15 additional credit hours must be earned in the form of independent-study (dissertation research) credits taken in the Law School. The remaining 45 credit hours may be earned either in the Law School or elsewhere, as may be required by the collaborating academic department.

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Outside Minors

To be eligible to receive the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence with a minor in gender studies, a student must complete 80 credit hours in the School of Law, 6 credit hours which must satisfy the gender studies cross-listing requirement; complete either G601 or G602 (interdisciplinary 3-credit course in gender studies, in alternate years); and complete a 3-credit elective course at or above the 500 level offered by the Gender Studies Program (some 300- or 400-level courses may be approved for graduate credit with prior approval of the dean).

The minor in business is primarily designed for students who wish to take an intensive course of study in accounting. To be eligible to receive the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence with a minor in business, a student must complete a total of 92 credit hours—80 credit hours in the Law School, including required course work, and 12 credit hours in the Kelley School of Business. Required course work is necessary for graduation, and students must gain prior approval before entering the program.

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Minor in Law (for non-law students)

Students pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education, or Doctor of Business Administration may obtain a minor in law by completing 13 to 16 credit hours of course work in the School of Law, including a basic methodological course such as Contracts, Property, Torts, or Constitutional Law, and 2 credit hours in either a research seminar or independent research. Graduate students interested in more information about the minor in law should contact the dean for students in the Law School.

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