Joint J.D./M.A. in Communication Studies

This joint degree program allows students to earn a J.D. and an M.A. in Communication Studies in 3 to 3½ years. Student complete a total of 109 credit hours for the joint degree. This program will allow 9 J.D. credit hours to be applied to the M.A. degree and 6 M.A. credit hours to be applied to the J.D. degree, saving the student 15 credit hours between the two programs.

Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission to the graduate studies for the Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in Communication joint degree are:

  • Students must be admitted to the Law School first, prior to enrollment in the School of Communication, checking a box on their application indicating their interest in the joint degree program. Once accepted to the Law School, the student's law school application including LSAT score, undergraduate transcript, and letters of recommendation (two of them required for the J.D. program) will be sent to the School of Communication for review. The student will then receive notification from the School of Communication regarding his/her admission to the joint degree program. 
  • LSAT score may be submitted in lieu of the GRE score. 

General notes:

  • Students will be admitted to the Law School J.D. program and the School of Communication (SoC) master's program separately.
  • Students in this joint degree program must commence law study first.
  • Students who have already commenced work on the SoC M.A. are not eligible for the  joint program. 

Curriculum Requirements

JD/MA in Communication Studies - Non-Thesis Tracks Only

JD REQUIREMENTS82
Refer to the link below for more information on the JD Requirements for Dual/Joint Degrees.
https://bulletin.miami.edu/law-academic-programs/jd
LAW ELECTIVES IN FULFILLMENT OF BOTH DEGREES
Select from the following or others with approval:
Administrative Law
Communication Law
Constitutional Law II
Copyright Law
First Amendment
Intellectual Property Problem Solving
Internet Law
MA IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES REQUIREMENTS
COM 603Qualitative Research Methodologies3
Communication Track Electives18
Elective options based on track selected. See MA program curriculum for more information.
COMMUNICATION COURSES IN FULFILLMENT OF BOTH DEGREES
COM 601Theories of Communication3
COM 602Foundations of Quantitative Communication Research Methods3
Total Credit Hours109

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
LAW 11 Civil Procedure I 3
LAW 12 Contracts 4
LAW 13 Elements 3
LAW 15 Torts 4
LAW 19 Legal Communication and Research I 2
 Credit Hours16
Spring
LAW 14 Property 4
LAW 16 Criminal Procedure 3
LAW 17 U.S. Constitutional Law I 4
LAW 29 Legal Communication and Research II 2
Law Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Two
Fall
Upper Level Law Courses 10
M.A. Courses 6
 Credit Hours16
Spring
Upper Level Law Courses 10
M.A. Courses 6
 Credit Hours16
Year Three
Fall
Upper Level Law Courses 10
M.A. Courses 6
 Credit Hours16
Spring
Upper Level Law Courses 13
M.A. Courses 6
 Credit Hours19
Year Four
Fall
Upper Level Law Courses 7
M.A. Courses 3
 Credit Hours10
 Total Credit Hours109