The School of Journalism and the School of Law offer an integrated program in which students may obtain both an MA degree in journalism and a JD degree in law. This program is especially suitable for students interested in enhancing their competencies, qualifications, and career options through the successful completion of two complementary professional programs. Although an MA degree in journalism normally requires two years of study, and a JD requires three, many students will be able to complete the full program in four years.

Application Procedure

Applicants to the dual degree program must submit formal applications for admission to the School of Law and to the School of Journalism, accompanied by a statement requesting permission to pursue the dual degree program. Students must meet the requirements for admission to both programs. Contact the School of Journalism and the School of Law for further information on admissions requirements. Students normally should declare an intent to enter both programs before entering the University. This request should be submitted before a student has substantially completed the requirements of either program. However, petitions requesting admission to the program from students at more advanced stages in either program may be considered.

Degree Requirement Summary

Requirements for the JD degree are met with 89 credit hours: 45 hours of required courses and 44 hours of elective courses. Students in the JD-MA program satisfy those 89 hours with 83 hours of credit in courses taken at the School of Law and 6 hours of credit in courses taken at the School of Journalism.

Requirements for the MA degree in journalism are met with 37 credit hours: 31 hours in the School of Journalism (including the capstone requirement) and 6 elective credit hours in the law school. The detailed program of study in journalism is subject to approval by the student’s advisor in the School of Journalism and by the Director of Graduate Studies.

School of Law Required Courses

89 hours required for graduation

1st Year

5010, 5015 Civil Procedure (5)

5020, 5025 Contracts (6)

5035 Criminal Law (4)

5040 Property I (3)

5070 Torts (4)

5080 Legal Research and Writing (3)

5085 Advocacy and Research (3)

5095 Lawyering (2)

2nd Year

5220 Constitutional Law (4)

5260 Evidence (4)

2nd or 3rd Year

5045 Property II (3)

5240 Criminal Procedure (3)

5280 Professional Responsibility (3)

Law electives – 36 credits

Journalism electives – 6 credits (at level 7000 or higher)

*Students who are placed on probation at the end of the fall semester of the first year will be required to take Foundations of Legal Studies II in the spring semester. This course is designed to assist students in meeting their graduation requirements.

School of Journalism Required Courses

Journalism Program Core Requirements (12 credits)

• JOURN 7180 – Newsroom Content and Creation

Or JOURN 7200 – Principles of Strategic Communication

• JOURN 8000 – Mass Media Seminar
• Research Methods (one of the following):
  • JOURN 8006 – Quantitative Research Methods in Journalism
  • JOURN 8008 – Qualitative Research Methods in Journalism
• One elective from the following:
  • JOURN 8038 – Seminar in Communication Law
  • JOURN 8046 – Controls of Information

Master’s students at our program have the flexibility to choose from seven (7) concentrations, each of which culminates in either a thesis or a project. These concentrations include:

1. Television & Digital News Reporting and Business Journalism
2. Cross Platform Editing and Producing
3. Data and Investigative Journalism
4. Photojournalism, Documentary Journalism, and Visual Editing
5. Strategic Communications (Advertising or Public Relations)
6. Social Media and Audience Development
7. Research

Each concentration comprises both model core and elective courses. The total number of required credits for completion of the Master’s program 37 credits. Dual degree students are welcome to select any model option that aligns with their academic goals.

Policy

1. Law students who receive credit under the dual degree program for taking journalism courses may not receive credit for taking other classes outside the School of Law.
2. Occasionally, students entering the M.A. program in journalism are required to strengthen their undergraduate experience by taking extra course work to round out their graduate programs. The most commonly required additional courses are American government, American history, and economics. These courses do not count as part of the Master’s program.
3. A dual degree candidate who subsequently decides to pursue only one of these degrees must complete degree requirements subject to the same rules as a student not pursuing a dual degree.
   Law students who receive credit under the dual degree program for taking economics courses may not receive credit for taking other classes outside the School of Law.
4. Student honors and class ranks at the School of Law will be computed on classes enrolled in as law courses.
5. The School of Law cannot award credit for any class taken before matriculation at the School of Law. Dual degree candidates must, therefore, enroll at the School of Law before taking any journalism courses to be counted toward the J.D. degree.
6. The School of Journalism and the School of Law reserve the right to limit participation in the program, including dismissal. Those interested are encouraged to submit a request for permission to participate in the program, along with applications for admission, at the earliest possible time.
7. The listing of courses does not constitute a binding commitment that the courses will be offered during the student’s course of study.
8. Students in the dual-degree program are subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to all students at the School of Law and the School of Journalism.