JOINT DEGREE
J.D./Masters of Science in Education with optional Certificates in Disability Studies
The joint degree program in Law and Education, with a concentration in Disability Studies, offers students the opportunity to earn a J.D. and M.S. in Education in three years instead of the four necessary to earn both degrees independently. No additional law school requirements are necessary for this joint degree. Eligible joint degree students may also earn a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Disability Studies from the School of Education, which is a New York State-approved concentration, and/or a Certificate in Disability Law and Policy from the College of Law’s Disability Law and Policy Program. Disability Studies is a new and emerging interdisciplinary field that applies legal, social, cultural, historical, and philosophical perspectives to the study of disability in society. This joint degree program, established in 2003, is the first such degree program in the nation. In 1996, SU also became the first American university to offer a graduate program in Disability Studies, and the only one with a law school component. Joint degree students enroll in selected courses with the School of Education, which is ranked among the best education graduate schools in the country; its Special Education and Cultural Foundations in Education Programs are consistently ranked within the top ten nationwide. Law students who graduate with the J.D./M.S. in Law and Education are prepared to play leadership roles in the field of disability law and policy, and education law in such settings as federal and state government agencies, community service agencies, advocacy organizations, public interest organizations, legal services offices, school districts, and law firms specializing in disability and/or education law.
Requirements for the Joint Degree in Law/M.S. Education (Cultural Foundations in Education) and Related Certificate Programs
College of Law Requirements for the J.D./M.S./C.F.E. Joint Degree (72 credits)
- 72 COL credits satisfactorily completed, including:
- Disability Law (Law 763 - 3 credits); and
- o Advanced Disability Law (Law 809- 3 credits) or International Human Rights and Comparative Disability Law (Law 889- 3 credits) or completion of the writing requirement on a disability-law related topic in another course, with prior permission of the Director of the Disability Law and Policy Program
- Three elective COL courses (from a list of courses, that is subject to change)
- Students are also encouraged (but not required) to enroll in the Disability Rights Clinic or on disability-related cases in another clinic or in the Externship.
School of Education Requirements for the J.D./M.S. Joint Degree (30 credits)
- 24 credits in courses in the School of Education or another graduate department throughout the University and 6 COL credits, including Disability Law, and Advanced Disability Law or International Human Rights and Comparative Disability Law. All courses must be approved by the student’s SOE advisor.
- A one-day Master’s exam completed during the final semester of the student’s coursework (generally the spring semester of the third year.) The exam is developed by the student’s SOE advisor.
School of Education Requirements for the Certificate in Advanced Studies in Disability Studies (15 credits of the 30 M.S. credits) Only law students who are pursuing the M.S./C.F.E. are eligible to receive the CAS since COL students may take only 6 non-COL credits if they are not enrolled in a joint degree program.
- Social Policy and Disability (DSP/CFE 688 – 3 credits).
- Disability Law (Law 763 - 3 credits)
- 6 additional credits in disability studies courses, approved by the student’s SOE Advisor.
- A one-day CAS exam completed during the student’s final semester of coursework (generally the spring semester of the third year.) The exam is developed by the student’s SOE advisor.
- N.B. The same credits and exam may be used to fulfill the requirements for both the M.S. and the CAS
College of Law Certificate in Disability Law and Policy Law students may obtain the COL Certificate without pursuing a Joint Degree. Law students who enroll in the joint degree program are eligible for the COL Certificate.
- Disability Law (Law 763 – 3 credits)
- Advanced Disability Law (Law 809 - 3 credits) or International Human Rights and Disability Law (Law 889 - 3 credits) or completion of the writing requirement on a disability-law related topic in another course, with permission of the Director.
- Students are also encouraged to take at one or two disability studies graduate courses outside of the College of Law (3 - 6 credits)
- Disability Rights Clinic (12 credits) or Externship at a placement that provides experience in disability law (credits vary).
- Three elective COL courses (from a list of courses, that is subject to change)
Questions and Answers About the Disability Law and Policy Program
How Does a Student Apply to the Joint Degree Program with the School of Educatin?
In order to apply for admission to any joint degree program sponsored by the COL, the student must first be admitted to the COL. Then, during the first year of law school (typically by March 1), the student completes an internal graduate school application (available in the Office of Student Life), and submits it, together with a personal statement and COL transcript, to the Director of the DLPP, Professor Arlene Kanter. No GRE is required. Only students in good academic standing at the COL will be permitted to apply for a joint degree.
After completing the application materials, all applicants must meet with the Director, who reviews the student’s application materials and discusses the appropriateness of the joint degree for the particular student. The Director may then approve the application for submission to the SOE for consideration for admission to the School of Education Masters Program.
Once the application is approved, the student must then bring the completed application packet to his or her advisor at the School of Education. For students pursuing the CAS in Disability Studies, the applications should be delivered to Professor Steve Taylor, the Coordinator of Disability Studies. Once Professor Taylor approves the application materials, the application must then be approved by the Chair of the SOE Department of Cultural Foundations of Education, who is currently Professor Sari Biklen. Once the application has been approved by the Chair of CFE, the student is notified of his or her admission. All law students will be notified of admission to the School of Education sometime in April of the students’ first year in law school. No pre-existing credits may be applied to the COL portion of the degree.
After the student has been admitted to the SOE, the student should then visit the COL Office of Student Life to complete a petition for approval from the College of Law to pursue the joint degree program. Students are welcome to meet with Emily Cadwallader in the Office of Student Life to discuss the petition process. Final College of Law approval will be determined following the posting of grades at the end of the Spring semester.
What If The Student Wishes To Pursue A Joint Degree With The School Of Education But Not The Cas In Disability Studies?
If a student wishes to pursue a joint degree with the School of Education, but not the CAS in Disability Studies, the student must follow the same COL requirements for admission to the School of Education. However, the requirements for admission to the School of Education are different. For example, the GRE may be required for certain masters programs. Further, the law student must find a SOE faculty advisor who will sponsor the law student’s application for admission to the SOE, prior to applying for admission to the SOE.
What Are The Requirements Of The Joint Degree Program In Law/M.S. Education, With A CAS In Disability Studies?
The CAS in DS is open to all students throughout the University. However, only law students who are pursuing the joint degree in the School of Education, M.S./CFE, are eligible to receive the CAS. COL students may take a maximum of 6 credits outside of the COL if they are not enrolled in a joint degree program. However, if a law student is enrolled in the joint degree program, the student must complete the COL requirements for graduation, which includes 72 credits from the COL and 30 credits from the SOE (6 credits of which may be COL courses, including Disability Law and Advanced Disability Law).
The requirements for the CAS include: Social Policy and Disability (DSP/CFE 688 – 3 credits); Disability Law (Law 763 - 3 credits); and 6 additional credits in disability studies courses, approved by the student’s SOE advisor. In addition, all students must take a one-day CAS exam completed during the student’s final semester of coursework (generally the spring semester of the third year.) The exam is developed by the student’s SOE advisor. The same credits and exam may be used to fulfill the requirements for both the M.S. and the CAS.
What Is The COL Certificate In Disability Law And Policy?
The Disability Law and Policy Program’s Certificate in Disability Law and Policy recognizes students who have taken a concentration of courses in the area of disability law. Students pursuing the joint degree in the School of Education should also plan to complete the requirements for the COL Certificate in Disability Law and Policy. Exceptions may be provided for those students who were not able to secure admission to the Disability Rights Clinic or a disability-related externship. Students interested in obtaining the COL Certificate in Disability Law and Policy should apply at the beginning of the applicant’s final semester of law school. The application should identify the courses taken and the work completed in satisfaction of the Certificate requirements as well as the work underway in the final semester. An unofficial transcript and a draft copy of the final writing requirement paper should be attached to the application. The Director will recommend granting the Certificate to students who have met all the requirements and who are in good academic standing at the College of Law. Students who receive the Certificate will be recognized at Commencement.
May Students Receive The COL Certificate In Disability Law And Policy Without Receiving A Joint Degree?
Yes, law students may apply for and receive the COL Certificate in Disability Law and Policy without receiving a Joint Degree. However, students seeking the Joint Degree with the SOE/CFE usually also complete the requirements for the COL Certificate in Disability Law and Policy.
What Are The Requirements For The COL Certificate In Disability Law And Policy?
In order to obtain the Certificate, students must satisfactorily complete the required courses listed below AND at least three courses from the list of COL elective courses below. Since disability law is a large and growing multidisciplinary field, students seeking the certificate (and who are not pursuing the joint degree) are encouraged to use the six credits available to them for coursework outside of the College of Law to enroll in disability-related courses at other colleges. All graduate courses taken to satisfy the required or elective courses are subject to approval by the Director. Students are also required to petition for approval for their six credits outside of the COL. The courses required for the COL Certificate in Disability Law and Policy are:
- Disability Law (3 credits)
- Advanced Applied Disability Law (3 credits)
- Disability Rights Clinic (12 credits) or Externship (at a placement that provides experience in disability law; 4 credits for the summer externship and 8 to 10 credits for the academic year externship)
Students seeking to enroll in the Disability Rights Clinic may also wish to enroll in the first year elective course, Legislation and Policy: Special Education Law. Students may take up to two disability-related graduate courses (3-6 credits) outside of the College of Law, subject to approval by the Director. Students must also take three COL elective courses from the following list of courses. This list is not exhaustive. Due to the fact that courses at the COL may change from year to year, additional courses may be approved by the Director.
| Administrative Law |
Education Law |
| Advanced Constitutional Law |
Elder Law |
| Advanced Legal Research |
Employment Law |
| Advanced Torts |
Employment Discrimination Law |
| Alternate Dispute Resolution |
Family Law |
| Bioethics/ Genetics and the Law |
Advanced Family Issues |
| Capital Punishment Seminar |
Federal Courts |
| Children and the Law |
General Counsel |
| Civil Rights |
Health Law |
| Comparative Law |
Housing Law |
| Decedent’s Estates and Trusts |
|
| Immigration Law |
Independent Study |
| Indian Law |
Lawyering Skills |
| International, Foreign, and Comparative |
Legislation and Policy: Special |
| Law Research Topics |
Education |
| International Human Rights and Comparative Disability Law |
Mediation in Family Law |
| International Law |
Medical Malpractice |
| Jurisprudence of Human Rights |
Poverty Law |
| Jurisprudence of Human Rights |
Professional Writing for Lawyers |
| Labor Law |
Professional Writing for Lawyers |
| Law and Market Economy |
Race and the Law |
| Lawyer as Negotiator |
Regulatory Law and Policy |
| |
|
What Is The Certificate In Advanced Studies In Disability Studies?
The “CAS” is a NYS-approved Certificate that is awarded by the School of Education to SU students who have completed the requirements. Law students may receive the CAS in Disability Studies if they are enrolled as a Joint Degree student with the COL and the Department of Cultural Foundations of Education in the School of Education. The CAS is awarded to joint degree students who successfully complete 15 credits towards their masters degree in Disability Studies courses taken at the COL, the SOE, or at any other SU college or department, with permission of Professor Steve Taylor, Coordinator of the Disability Studies Program.
May Students Obtain A Joint Degree In Law And Education, With The Department Of Cultural Foundations Of Education Or Other SOE Departments, Without Seeking The CAS In Disability Studies?
Yes, law students may obtain a joint degree with any department in the School of Education without obtaining a CAS in Disability Studies. Professor Kanter is willing to serve as your advisor if you pursue this option. However, the application process is different for students not pursuing the CAS. Students who are not seeking the CAS will be admitted to the SOE only if they have first secured a faculty advisor to sponsor their application to the School of Education. In addition, the GRE may be required for admission to some SOE Masters Programs.
May Students Interested In Disability Law And Policy Apply For A Joint Degree With The School Of Social Work?
Yes, students interested in disability law and policy may apply for admission to the School of Social work to obtain a J.D./MSW. Professor Kanter is willing to serve as your advisor if you pursue this option. However, the application process and requirements for this joint degree differ from the joint degree programs with the School of Education. Students will be required to complete 72 credits in the College of Law and 48 credits in the School of Social Work (only 30 credits required for students with Advanced Standing). Students in this Program are encouraged to take classes in other schools and departments on campus that offer classes related to disability studies, policy, and law. For more information about the J.D./M.S.W. requirements admission, see the School of Social Work website.
Disability Law And Policy Program Contact InformationFor information about the Disability Law and Policy Program, please contact:
Professor Arlene Kanter, Meredith Professor of Law
Director, Disability Law and Policy Program
Co-Director, SU Center on Human Policy, Law and Disability Studies
Syracuse, New York 13244-1030
(315) 443-9551
Email:
kantera@law.syr.eduFor information about Admission to the College of Law and to request accommodations for visits to the College of Law, please contact:
Syracuse University College of Law
Office of Admissions
Suite 340
Syracuse, New York 13244-1030
Telephone: (315) 443-1963 /1962
Fax: (315) 443-9568
Email:
admissions@law.syr.eduFor information about law degree requirements, please contact:
Emily J. Cadwallader, Academic Advisor
Office of Student Life
Syracuse University College of Law
Syracuse, New York 13244-1030
(315)443-1146
Email:
ejcadwal@law.syr.edu
For information about Disability Studies at Syracuse University, please contact:
Professor Steven J. Taylor, Director and Co-Director, Center on Human Policy, Law, and Disability Studies
805 S. Crouse Ave, Hoople Building
Syracuse, NY 13244-2280
Syracuse, New York 13244-2288
(315) 443-3851 (voice) (315) 443-4355 (tty) 1-800-894-0826 (toll free)
(315) 443-4338 (fax)
Email:
staylo01@syr.eduWebsite:
http://disabilitystudies.syr.edu/what/disabilitystudiesatSU.aspxSchool of Education:
http://soeweb.syr.edu/grad/GRADPROFSTUD_ADMIS.HTMLOnline Graduate School Application:
https://apply.embark.com/grad/syracuse/36/Cultural Foundations of Education (CFE) (SU School of Education Department that houses Disability Studies):
https://apply.embark.com/grad/syracuse/36/ For information about accommodations, please contact:
Office of Disability Services, 804 University Avenue, Suite 309
Syracuse, New York 13244-1120
Phone: 315-443-4498 TDD/TTY: 315-443-1372 Fax: 315-443-1312
Email:
odssched@syr.edu website:
http://www.disabilityservices.syr.eduClick here for a
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