Dual Degree Programs

The dual degree program in Health Care Ethics is offered jointly with the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. It is intended for law students who wish to add expertise in health care ethics to enhance their future professional, educational, and scholarly pursuits. Applicants must be admitted to both the School of Law and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies.

Applicants must be admitted independently to both the School of Law and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies (for the Master's Degree). Students must also be admitted to the dual degree program by each school.

Students may begin the dual degree program in either the graduate school, for their MA coursework, or the School of Law, for their law work. In the first year of law study, however, the participating student may take law classes only. In the following two or three years, the student may combine law and MA (Health Care Ethics) courses. Nine hours from each program can be counted as electives in the other program. Thus, candidates in the JD/MA Health Care Ethics program will complete 24 hours in the MA curriculum (instead of the normal 33). In the JD program, candidates will complete 81 hours (instead of the normal 90 hours). Nine of the hours in the Health Care Ethics program must be in courses approved by the School of Law.

To earn a dual degree, law students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the Master's program prior to completing the first semester of the second year. Health Care Ethics students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the School of Law prior to completing 18 credit hours of graduate course work.

Upon admission to both schools and the program, the student should work with academic advisors from both schools to develop a schedule for his or her course of study. Careful curriculum planning is required for the JD/MA Health Care Ethics degree. Some courses are sequenced or have prerequisites and must be taken in a specific order. In addition, the School of Law limits the number of credit hours a student may take in any one semester. To complete the program in four years, students will usually take summer classes. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor and update the course of study as needed.

Students will not be awarded either degree until the completion of both programs. Contact the Health Care Ethics Department.

Offered jointly with the Division of Humanities of the Graduate School, this interdisciplinary program may be of particular interest to community professionals and students who wish to pursue civil leadership positions. Applicants must be admitted to both the Graduate School and the School of Law. Students are required to take at least 81 hours in the School of Law and 21 hours in the MAH curriculum. Students must also be admitted to the dual degree program by each school.

Students may begin the dual degree program in either the Division of Humanities or the School of Law. In the first year of law study, however, the participating student will take only law classes. In the following two or three years, the student may combine law and humanities classes. Nine hours from each program can be counted as electives in the other program. Thus, students will complete 81 hours in the School of Law (instead of the usual 90) and 21 hours in the MAH curriculum (instead of the usual 30). The nine of the 21 hours in the Graduate School must be in courses approved by the School of Law.

To earn a dual degree, law students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the MA Humanities program prior to completing the first semester of the second year. MA Humanities students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the School of Law prior to completing 18 credit hours of MA Humanities course work.

Upon admission to both schools and the program, the student should work with academic advisors from both schools to develop a schedule for his or her course of study. Careful curriculum planning is required for the JD/MA Humanities degree. Some courses are sequenced or have prerequisites and must be taken in a specific order. In addition, the School of Law limits the number of credit hours a student may take in any one semester. To complete the program in four years, students will usually take summer classes. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor and update the course of study as needed.

Contact the Humanities Division Office, 303 Bingham Humanities building, at +1-502-852-6805.

This program recognizes the many connections among politics, government, and law. Students interested in these connections will have a unique opportunity to explore them in the course of completing the dual degree program. Students enrolled in the program will also acquire interdisciplinary skills in research and writing. Students are required to take at least 81 hours in the School of Law. The hours required in the Department of Political Science vary depending on the course of study the student selects. Nine of the hours in the Graduate School must be in courses approved by the School of Law.

Applicants must be admitted independently to both the MA Political Science program and the School of Law. Students must also be admitted to the dual degree program by each school. To earn a dual degree, law students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the MA Political Science program prior to completing the first semester of the second year of law school. MA Political Science students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the School of Law prior to completing 18 credit hours of MA Political Science course work.

Students may begin the dual degree program in either the Department of Political Science or the School of Law. In the first year of law study, however, the participating student will take only law classes. In the following two or three years, the student may combine law and political science classes. Nine hours from each program can be counted as electives in the other program. Thus, students will complete 81 hours in the School of Law (instead of the usual 90). The hours required in the Department of Political Science vary depending on the course of study the student selects, but nine hours of approved law electives will count toward the MA Political Science requirements.

Upon admission to both schools and the program, the student should work with academic advisors from both schools to develop a schedule for his or her course of study. Careful curriculum planning is required for the JD/MA Political Science degree. Some courses are sequenced or have prerequisites and must be taken in a specific order. In addition, the School of Law limits the number of credit hours a student may take in any one semester. To complete the program in four years, students may need to take summer classes. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor and update the course of study as needed.

Contact the Political Science Department.

The JD/MBA program is offered jointly by the College of Business and the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. Under the joint JD/MBA program it is possible for a student to receive both a JD and MBA degree in four years. The JD/MBA dual degree program provides students with a broad base of knowledge and skills in both areas. Students completing the program will have a unique advantage in today's competitive marketplace and a strong foundation for future success. Applicants must be admitted independently to both the MBA program at the College of Business and the School of Law. Students must also be admitted to the dual degree program by each school and obtain the approval of the Associate/Assistant Deans before entering this program.

To earn a dual degree, law students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the MBA program prior to completing the first semester of the second year of law school. MBA students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the School of Law prior to completing 18 credit hours of MBA course work.

To earn a dual degree, law students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the MBA program prior to completing the first semester of the second year of law school. MBA students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the School of Law prior to completing 18 credit hours of MBA course work.

Students may begin the dual degree program in either the College of Business or the School of Law. In the first year of law study, however, the participating student may take only law classes. In the following three year period (possibly shorter), the student may combine business and law courses. Thus, students will complete 81 hours in the School of Law (instead of the usual 90), substituting approved MBA courses for remaining nine hours. In the MBA curriculum, the College of Business waives the second year MBA electives (nine hours) and allows the student to substitute nine hours of law classes. Students thus take 39 hours in the MBA curriculum (instead of the normal 48).

Upon admission to both schools and the program, the student should work with academic advisors from both schools to develop a schedule for his or her course of study. Careful curriculum planning is required for the JD/MBA degree. Some courses are sequenced or have prerequisites and must be taken in a specific order; certain MBA courses must be taken in the summer; and the student may need to take some summer law classes to complete the program in four years. In addition, the School of Law limits the number of credit hours a student may take in any one semester. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor and update the course of study as needed.

Students must complete the requirements for both degrees before either degree is awarded.

Contact the MBA Graduate Office by e-mail or call +1-502-852-7257.

As a joint venture, the Brandeis School of Law and the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary offer a dual degree program leading to both a JD and MDiv degree. Applicants interested in this program should contact the Theological Seminary, as several options are available. Students are required to take at least 81 hours (instead of the usual 90) in the School of Law and 63 hours in the Seminary (instead of the normal 90). Nine of the 63 hours in the Seminary must be in courses approved by the law school. Those nine hours of approved coursework from the Master of Divinity program can be counted as electives in the School of Law. Applicants must be admitted independently to both the School of Law and the Master's program at the Seminary. Students must also be admitted to the dual degree program by each school.

To earn a dual degree, Master of Divinity students must be admitted to the dual degree program and should apply to the School of Law prior to completing 30 credit hours of graduate divinity course work. Law students must be admitted to the dual degree program and apply to the Master of Divinity program prior to completing the first semester of the second year of law school.

Generally, students complete two years of seminary study before beginning law classes. In the first year of law study, whether before or after the student has matriculated at the seminary, the participating student may take only law classes. Thereafter the student may combine law and divinity classes.

Careful curriculum planning is required for the JD/Master of Divinity degree. Upon admission to the program, the student should work with academic advisors from both schools to develop a schedule for his or her course of study. Some courses are sequenced or have prerequisites. In addition, law students may not receive credit for any seminary classes taken before their matriculation in law school. Thus a minimum of nine credit hours from the Master of Divinity program must be taken after the student’s first year of law school. In addition, the School of Law limits the number of credit hours a student may take in any one semester. Consequently, students may need to take summer classes. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor and update the course of study as needed.

Students must complete the requirements for both degrees before either degree is awarded. Contact the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary at +1-502-895-3411.

The dual JD/MPA program recognizes the values of interdisciplinary study and encourages students having an interest in both law and public administration to pursue these degrees simultaneously. Public policy decisions by governments and nonprofit organizations have both administrative and legal ramifications. Effective administration of public, private and non-profit entities requires comprehensive and strategic management skills, along with an understanding of the legal environment in which the organization operates. The public administrator who understands the principles and processes of law has an advantage in effectuating good policy making and management. New career opportunities involving the integration of public administration and law are growing, often in creative and sophisticated ways. Moreover, the dual JD/MPA program brings together two academic units critical to advancing the University’s metropolitan-oriented mission in teaching, research, and service to the community.

Students who participate in the dual program may reduce the aggregate credit hour requirement by 30 hours and can earn the JD and MPA degrees in as few as three calendar years with summer enrollment.

A student planning to pursue both degrees must submit a separate application and must be admitted to both the MPA degree program and the Brandeis School of Law. Applicants should be aware that separate admissions tests may be required, and that separate admissions criteria will be applied. Applicants should consult the specific admissions requirements of each academic program.

Students who have been admitted to the Law School will not be required to take the GRE for MPA admission. Students wishing to apply for and begin initially for entrance into the MPA program are required to take the GRE for admission.

Students may begin the dual degree program in either the MPA program or the Brandeis School of Law. A student who is already enrolled in the first year of one program may apply to the other program, and if admitted to that program, begin the first-year of the second program in the following academic year.

After completion of first-year curricula in Law School, the student may combine law and public administration courses during his or her subsequent years. Once the student begins the MPA portion of the degree, the PADM 600 and PADM 601 courses must be completed in the first semester.

The Brandeis School of Law will allow students in the dual degree program to apply nine (9) credit hours of approved courses in public administration as electives toward the 90 credit hours required for the JD degree. Once enrolled in the School of Law, dual degree students must have their course schedules approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The School of Law does not have sequenced pairs of courses after the first year. It should be noted, however, that many upper division elective courses have pre-requisites.

The Master of Public Administration program will allow students enrolled in the dual degree program to apply fifteen (15) credit hours of approved courses in law as electives toward the MPA degree. A student should identify the law school course he/she wishes to take for elective credit and contact the MPA director to secure permission for elective credit. The criteria for approval will be the course’s relevance to the public or nonprofit sector and/or the administrative or managerial content.

Because each course is considered separately and in advance of enrollment, courses taken in the MPA program prior to enrolling in the Law School cannot be considered for law degree credit. Similarly, courses taken in the Law School prior to enrolling the MPA program cannot be considered for elective credit toward the MPA degree. Students considering the dual degree are strongly encouraged to apply for admission to both programs and begin their first year law school curriculum, adding public administration courses as their schedule permits.

In addition to the above cross-application of public administration credits toward the JD degree and of law credits toward the MPA degree, students in the dual degree program may apply their 6 credit hours of skills courses to the completion of PADM 682, Internship or Practicum. The student must submit to the MPA graduate advisor a request for the internship/practicum per guidelines in the MPA handbook for internship/practicum. If the skills course involves the public or nonprofit sectors and the content of the work is essentially administrative or professional, the skills course may be applied to the MPA internship requirement in whole or part. Externships in the law school may also count toward the MPA internship if they satisfy the same criteria.

Students must complete all the graduation requirements of each school to be awarded the degree from that school, including upper level required courses in both schools, and the public service requirement in the Brandeis School of Law. Neither degree will be awarded until both programs are complete.

Contact the MPA Office.

The joint competency in social work and law is a collaborate program with the University’s Kent School of Social Work. Through this program, students can complete both degrees in a reduced period of time. Applicants must be admitted to both schools separately. Students must also be approved by each school for the dual degree program. Students are required to take at least 81 hours in the School of Law and 60 hours in the MSSW curriculum. Nine of the 60 hours in the Kent School must be in courses approved by the School of Law. The Kent School of Social Work does grant the MSSW before completion of the JD program.

Students who participate in the dual program may reduce the aggregate credit hour requirement by 18 hours and earn MSSW and JD degrees in as little as four and a half years. The time to complete both degrees will depend on if the student attends classes in the summer and how many credits they take each semester.

The dual JD/MSSW program recognizes the value of interdisciplinary study and encourages students having an interest in both social work and law to pursue these degrees simultaneously. Law courses strengthen the social worker’s understanding of legal doctrine and structures that have impact on social institutions and human conditions; social work courses help lawyers to better understand human behavior, conflict resolution and social welfare institutions.

Students may begin the dual degree program in either Kent School or the School of Law. In the first year of study, the participating student will follow the full-time academic schedule of the program in which the student enrolls first. In the second year, the student will complete the first-year coursework in the alternative program. For example, the student may begin in the Kent School and complete the standard first-year curriculum. In the second year, the student would complete the standard first-year curriculum at the School of Law..

After completion of both first-year curricula, the student may combine law and social work courses during subsequent years. Careful curriculum planning is required, however. Some courses in each school are sequenced or have prerequisites and must be taken in a specific order. In addition, both schools limit the number of credit hours a student may take in any one semester.

The School of Law does not have sequenced pairs of courses after the first year. It should be noted, however, that some courses are traditionally taken in the second year. In addition, many upper division elective courses have prerequisites. The Kent School will apply nine credit hours in law as electives toward the MSSW degree. In all cases, students should plan their schedules carefully and consult with advisors in both programs. Once enrolled in the School of Law, dual degree students must have their schedules approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. .

*The Kent School also permits a social work student who already has earned a JD degree from an ABA accredited law school within the preceding five years to petition for allowance of up to nine law credits toward the elective requirements of the MSSW degree.

Contact the Coordinator, Academic Affairs, MSSW Program, at +1-502-852-7126.

This dual degree program is offered jointly with the University’s School of Urban and Public Affairs. The dual JD/MUP program recognizes the values of interdisciplinary study and encourages students having an interest in both law and urban planning to pursue these degrees simultaneously. The dual JD/MUP program brings together two academic units critical to advancing the University's metropolitan-oriented mission in teaching, research and service to the community. Both planning and legal issues pervade most decisions about land use, whether made by government institutions, environmental or business entities, or private landowners. Nine of the hours in the Graduate School must be in courses approved by the School of Law.

Students who participate in the dual program may reduce the aggregate credit hour requirement by 21 hours and earn JD and MUP degrees in approximately four calendar years.

A student planning to pursue both degrees must submit a separate application and must be admitted to both the MUP degree program and the Brandeis School of Law. Applicants should be aware that separate admissions tests may be required, and that separate admissions criteria will be applied. A student who is already enrolled in the first year of one program may apply to the other program and, if admitted to that program, begin the first-year of the second program in the following academic year.

Students may begin the dual degree program in either the MUP program or the Brandeis School of Law. In the first year of study, the participating student will follow the full-time academic schedule of the program in which the student enrolls first. In the second year, the student will complete the first-year coursework in the other program. After completion of first-year curricula in both programs, the student may combine law and urban planning courses; however, careful curriculum planning is required. Some courses in each school are sequenced or have prerequisites and must be taken in a specific order.

The student must complete all the graduation requirements of each school to be awarded the degree from that school, including upper level required courses in both schools, the Planning Internship and Capstone Studio requirements in urban planning, and the public service requirement in the Brandeis School of Law.

Students will not be awarded either degree until the completion of both programs.

Contact the MUP program.