Dual degrees

Notre Dame law students have several opportunities to combine the study of law with another academic discipline, earning two degrees at the end of their course of study. These dual-degree programs include the J.D./M.B.A., the J.D./M.A. in English, and the J.D./M.S. in Engineering.

Enrollment in these programs requires the student to apply to and be admitted by both the Law School and the particular graduate program. Students who wish to pursue dual-degree programs different from these three may do so with the permission of the Law School and the appropriate graduate program.

J.D./M.B.A.

In 1970, the Law School and the graduate division of the University’s Mendoza College of Business introduced a combined four-year program of study leading to the degrees of juris doctor and master of business administration. Students in this dual-degree program divide their time between the Law School and the Mendoza College of Business, studying the full curriculum of both schools. The reduction by one year of what normally would be a five-year program of study is achieved by allowing certain common courses and some elective courses to count toward both degrees.

A student in the joint J.D./M.B.A. Program will be required to complete successfully 75 hours of Law School courses and 45 hours of M.B.A. courses to receive the respective degrees. The Law School will accept 15 credit hours of M.B.A. courses toward completion of the J.D. degree. Concurrently, the Mendoza College of Business will accept 15 credit hours of law courses toward the M.B.A. degree requirements.

The M.B.A. program is under the direction of the graduate division of the Mendoza College of Business. The business curriculum combines an intensive study of basic business disciplines with the decision-making experience of case analysis in a unique enterprise workshop and emphasizes a close working relationship between faculty and students.

Students who wish to participate in the joint J.D./M.B.A. program must be accepted for admission by both the Law School and the graduate division of the Mendoza College of Business.

You may obtain more information about the M.B.A. program from the M.B.A. Admissions Office.

J.D./M.A. in English

In 1991, the Law School and the Department of English instituted a program that allows J.D. students to earn an M.A. in English. To complete the M.A., students typically take 21 hours of English courses and count nine hours of courses within the J.D. curriculum toward the M.A. degree. Normally, program participants would pursue the non-research M.A.; those who opt for the research M.A. must also complete an additional six hours of thesis research.

Since the Law School allows nine hours of electives, program participants may complete nine of the required 21 hours of course work in English during the regular three-year course of study toward the J.D. degree. The other 12 hours may be completed by enrolling in the University’s summer sessions, by enrolling for an additional semester after completing the J.D. degree, or by a combination of these two options. Upon admission to the program, the student creates a program of study with the advice of the director of graduate studies in English and the assistant dean for students in the Law School. The program of studies is coordinated by the Graduate School.

The program is open only to students already admitted to the Law School. Program participants must be admitted to the program through the procedures of the Graduate School and the Department of English.

To apply, please contact the Graduate School.

J.D./M.Eng. in Engineering

Students interested in environmental, patent, or telecommunications law may apply for a dual-degree program through the Law School and the College of Engineering.

Students who wish to participate in the joint J.D./M.E. program must be accepted for admission by both the Law School and the Graduate School’s Division of Engineering.

For an application, please contact the Graduate School.

Other Dual Degrees

Where appropriate and with the approval of the department involved, other dual-degree programs may be fashioned to suit individual interests or needs. Typically, approval for such programs requires consultation with the assistant dean for students in the Law School and the appropriate administrator in the other graduate department or program. For information, please contact the Graduate School.