Program Overview

Introduction to the J.D./M.A. Program

The Department of Political Science, the Graduate School, and the School of Law cooperate in offering a dual degree program that allows a student to pursue the M.A. in Political Science and the J.D. degrees concurrently.

Program Requirements

The program requires 36 hours as follows:

• The student selects:
  • Seminars in political science or equivalent courses in other departments approved by the graduate adviser in political science (total of 24 hours including:
    • 3 hours of methods
    • 21 hours other graduate seminars, six hours of which may be thesis credit
  • Twelve hours of elective courses taken in the law school in an area of concentration approved by the director of the M.A. program

Admission Criteria

Students must be admitted to the M.A. program and the School of Law. If a student seeks to enter the dual degree program after enrolling in either the law school or the M.A. program, he or she must obtain admission to the other degree program during the first year of study.

Course Requirements

The School of Law accepts 9 semester hours of M.A. courses to satisfy requirements for the J.D. degree, which can be chosen from the following courses:

• PLSC 52003: Seminar in American Political Institutions (3 hours)
• PLSC 52103: Seminar in American Political Behavior (3 hours)
• PLSC 52503: Politics of Race and Ethnicity (3 hours)
• PLSC 55003: Comparative Political Analysis (3 hours)
• PLSC 58003: Seminar in International Politics (3 hours)
• PLSC 58303: International Political Economy (3 hours) The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the School of Law may approve new or alternative courses proposed to satisfy the requirements of the program for J.D. credit.

Program Structure

Students admitted to the dual degree program may commence their studies in either the law school or the M.A. program but must complete first year course requirements before taking courses in the other degree program. If they do not maintain the academic or ethical standards of either degree program, students may be terminated from the dual degree program. Students in good standing in one degree program but not in the other may be allowed to continue in the other program in which they have good standing and must meet the degree requirements of that program.

Degree Completion

If for any reason a student admitted to the dual degree program does not complete the M.A. degree, he or she cannot count nine hours of M.A. courses toward the J.D. degree. Likewise, M.A. students may not be able to count certain law courses if they decide to discontinue their studies in the law school. The J.D. will be awarded upon completion of all degree requirements; the M.A. will be awarded upon completion of the comprehensive examination and all required coursework, as well as the successful defense of a master's thesis, if applicable.

Comprehensive Examination

Mandatory Comprehensive Exam: All students will be required to take a written comprehensive examination covering their M.A. program or a six-hour thesis. The comprehensive exam will be graded by at least a three-person faculty committee selected by the M.A. Program Director. Students pursuing the thesis option are not required to take a written examination. Successful defense of their thesis satisfies this requirement.

Academic Requirements

In addition to the successful completion of all course requirements and a passing grade on the written comprehensive examination (if taken), each student must present a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.00.

Thesis Option

Students pursuing the thesis option should consult the graduate coordinator of the political science department. The thesis committee must be composed of faculty members from both the School of Law and the Department of Political Science. Thesis credit is 6 hours.

Internship Option

Students may pursue an internship. Internship credit is variable and depends on the number of hours worked. Students in this option must consult with their J.D. and M.A. advisers. An internship work plan and expected academic work products will be developed.