Political Science/Law (MA/JD)
The dual JD/MA program permits students enrolled in Loyola’s Law School to complete both a JD degree and an MA in Political Science in a shorter period of time than if both programs were pursued separately. Students typically complete the joint program in 4 years, as opposed to the typical 5 years for the individual programs.
How Does This Program Work?
Students interested in this program must apply to the Loyola University Law School under the dual JD/MA in Political Science program. If accepted by the Law School, the student will then be also accepted into the MA program. Students must then satisfy the academic requirements of the School of Law for the JD degree and the academic requirements of the Department of Political Science for the MA degree, with an arrangement allowing several shared courses between the two.
Curriculum
The Department of Political Science will accept four Law School courses to be applied to the 30 credit hours required for the MA. The Law School will accept three Political Science courses toward the JD degree. Students should work in close concert with their Graduate Program Director and Law School advisor to ensure effective degree planning.
The Department of Political Science will accept four Law School courses to be applied to the 30 credit hours required for the MA. The Law School will accept three Political Science courses to be applied toward the 86 credit hours required for the JD degree. As a result, 95 total credits are required for the JD/MA program. Students should work in close concert with their Graduate Program Director and Law School advisor to ensure effective degree planning.
MA Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select one course in Ancient Philosophy | 3 | |
| Plato | ||
| Aristotle | ||
| Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Select one course in Medieval Philosophy | 3 | |
| Augustine | ||
| Aquinas | ||
| Medieval Philosophy | ||
| Late Medieval Philosophy | ||
| Select one course in Modern Philosophy | 3 | |
| Descartes | ||
| Classical Rationalism | ||
| Classical Empiricism | ||
| Kant | ||
| 17th-18th Century Philosophy | ||
| Select one course in Continental Philosophy | 3 | |
| Nietzsche | ||
| Husserl | ||
| Heidegger | ||
| Phenomenology/Existentialism | ||
| Hermeneutics & Critical Theory | ||
| Contemporary French Philosophy | ||
| Contemporary German Philosophy | ||
| Topics in Continental Philosophy | ||
| Select one course in Analytic Philosophy | 3 | |
| Anglo-American Philosophy | ||
| Anglo-American Epistemology | ||
| Studies in Logic | ||
| Issues in Cognitive Science | ||
| Select five 400-level Electives | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Note: Courses may fulfill different distribution requirements on an ad hoc basis, depending on course content. To confirm, please consult Graduate Program Director.
Other Philosophy graduate level courses may be used in the above requirements. Students should consult with the Graduate Program Director if a course of interest is not shown in the above curriculum grid. For a full list of Philosophy graduate level courses, click here.
Language Requirement
There is no language requirement or other research tool requirement for the M.A. degree in the Philosophy Department.
Examination
Toward the end of the course of studies, students pursuing the MA in Philosophy must pass an oral examination before a committee of at least three faculty members on a research paper they have written. The focus of the examination is on the argument and analysis of the paper, as well as on the background thought that the argument and analysis presuppose.
JD Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| LAW 113 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LAW 122 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| LAW 132 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 140 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 152 | Property | 4 |
| LAW 162 | Torts | 4 |
| LAW 190 | Legal Writing I | 2 |
| LAW 190R | Basic Legal Research | 0 |
| LAW 192 | Legal Writing II | 2 |
| LAW 210 | Evidence | 4 |
| LAW 270 | Business Organizations | 4 |
| LAW 410 | Legal Writing III | 2 |
| LAW 414 | Professional Responsibility | 3 |
| LAW 424 | Professional Identity Formation | 1 |
| Perspective Elective | 2-3 | |
| Experiental Learning | 6 | |
| BCCR Course | ||
| LAW Electives | 36-37 | |
| Total Hours | 86 | |
Upper Level Required Courses
- Skills Training Course (2 credits)
A skills class is one that offers substantial instruction in the professional skills generally regarded as necessary for effective and responsible participation in the legal profession. All JD students are required to complete the skills course requirement prior to graduation. - Experiential Learning (6 credits)
Experiential learning classes enable students to perform their legal knowledge, skills and values in a real or simulated practice setting with intense, ongoing law school supervision and assessment. Examples include live-client clinics, judicial or non-judicial externships, practica, or comprehensive simulations. At least three of these credits must involve work with live clients. The remaining three credits can involve comprehensive simulations. - LAW 414 Professional Responsibility (taken after first year)
- One course that involves substantial instruction in bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism (BCCR).
Highly Recommended Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW 221 | Administrative Law | 3 |
| LAW 280 | Federal Income Tax | 3 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| LAW 113 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LAW 152 | Property | 4 |
| LAW 162 | Torts | 4 |
| LAW 190 | Legal Writing I | 2 |
| LAW 424 | Professional Identity Formation | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 122 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| LAW 132 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 140 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| LAW 192 | Legal Writing II | 2 |
| Perspective Elective | 2-3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| LAW 410 | Legal Writing III | 2 |
| Law School Electives | 13 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Law School Electives | 15 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| PLSC 401 | Intro to Research Design & Method | 3 |
| PLSC 475 | Political Analysis I | 3 |
| Law or PLSC Electives 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| PLSC 476 | Political Analysis II | 3 |
| Law or PLSC Electives 1 | 6 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Law or PLSC Electives 1 | 9 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Law or PLSC Electives 3 | 9 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 96 | |
- 1
Students have the flexibility during this point in the program to choose electives either in the Political Science Department or the School of Law as long as minimum electives are met for both programs. Students should consult an advisor for any assistance on elective selection.
Dual Degree Programs
Students in dual degree programs are responsible for abiding by academic policies and graduation requirements of both academic units to which they are enrolled. It is strongly recommended that students schedule regular meetings with academic advisors from both units to ensure timely degree completion. Dual degree programs may have slightly different degree requirements from the standard for one or both of the degrees earned. Students should closely read through all degree requirements and ask for clarification as needed.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
The dual JD/MA in Political Science offers students:
- Specialized training appropriate for careers in the public sector or for law practices involving administrative agencies or processes, by combining the study of law with an exploration of the political context within which domestic and international legal systems operate
- An overview of the theories and scholarly literature devoted to four major Political Science subfields:
- American Politics (study of U.S. institutions and political processes).
- Comparative Politics (study of political processes in various regions of the world, such as Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East).
- International Relations (study of global processes throughout the international system).
- Political Theory (study of political philosophy ranging from Ancient to Modern and Contemporary political thought).
- Methods training, including research design and statistical analysis, that will enable the successful candidate to effectively design and conduct research.
- Enhanced ability to express their thoughts in writing (all Political Science graduate classes include a significant writing component).
- The ability to pursue careers in politics, government, international affairs, law, the non-profit world, journalism, business, education, social services, and other professions, as well as for further graduate (PhD) study at professional schools and institutions of higher learning, both in the U.S. and abroad.
We also encourage our BA/MA students to take advantage of additional learning opportunities:
- Advanced methodological training
- Advanced language training/proficiency in a language other than English
- Advanced research skills
- International, cross-cultural experience
- Professional development and experience
- Networking opportunities