Joint Degree Programs Interdisciplinary Study

Joint Degree Programs Interdisciplinary Study

Syracuse University College of Law students who desire a greater degree of specialization may select from a number of interdisciplinary opportunities. In a joint degree program, a student may pursue concurrently a J.D. and a related master's degree. Joint degree programs exist in economics, cultural foundations of education, forest and natural resource management (with SUNY ESF), history, information management, library information science, international relations, public administration, business administration, accounting, philosophy, political science, public communications, social work, public diplomacy and engineering and computer science. The college will also assist students in tailoring other joint degree programs to fit particular career objectives. Joint degree programs are structured so students can earn both degrees in substantially less time than would be required to earn each degree separately.

Students enrolled in a joint degree program must complete their first year of study in the College of Law. Students may apply to both programs before coming to law school, but most students elect to apply during their second semester of their first year of law school; regardless, students must apply and be admitted to both programs separately. Admissions requirements, including submission of standardized test scores, will vary by program. Consequently, applicants must check with individual departments about their program's admissions requirements. Because a joint degree program involves the reciprocal application of electives, students are not awarded either degree until the requirements for both degrees are completed. In certain programs, this may necessitate a delay in taking the bar examination.