JD/LLM, JD/MA, & JD/MS Admissions Information
Candidates for the JD/LLM in International and Comparative Law, JD/MA, and JD/MS dual degrees do not need to apply separately to any school or program at Duke other than the Law School. In addition, the GRE is not required for applicants to these dual degrees. (The JD/MEMP has different instructions; see below for more information.) Complete the regular JD application, but indicate that you wish to be considered for the dual degree. You may apply to only one dual degree program.
You must be able to start law school in early June to enroll in the JD/LLM, JD/MA, and JD/MS programs.
Application Review Process
JD/LLM applications are reviewed through the regular Law School process. Although there are no specific prerequisites or admission requirements, the admissions committee pays particular attention to applicants with prior international experience and foreign language study. In rare instances where the applicant is a strong candidate for the JD program but lacks international experience, the admissions committee may offer admission to the JD only.
JD/MA and JD/MS applications are first reviewed through the regular Law School process. If the Law School intends to admit a candidate to the JD program, the file is sent to the appropriate Graduate School department to be approved for the MA or MS program. In most cases, the graduate department grants admission to its program, sometimes on the condition that specific coursework be completed. In cases where the candidate is not offered admission to the MA or MS program, the Law School will offer admission to the JD only.
Additional Application Materials
For JD/MA and JD/MS applications, please attach an additional statement of purpose for the master's degree. This should be one to two pages outlining your background in the discipline and interest in the master's degree. It is primarily intended to assist the Graduate School department in reviewing the application, so it is not required to address the connection between your legal studies and master's degree studies. (Applicants to the JD/MA in International Development Policy must also submit a one-page policy analysis; see below.)
JD/LLM candidates are not required to submit a statement of purpose for the LLM. However, we encourage applicants to address their interest in international and comparative law, either in their personal statement or in a JD/LLM addendum.
Standardized Testing
The LSAT is required for all Law School dual degree applicants. The Graduate School waives the GRE requirement for JD/MA and JD/MS applicants. (The exception is the JD/MEMP; see below for more information.) No additional testing is required for the JD/LLM.
JD/MA in International Development Policy
The MA:IDP program expects applicants to have at least three years of related work experience and an interest in a related career. In addition to the MA statement of purpose, applicants to the JD/MA in IDP should submit a one-page essay analyzing a policy decision in their home country or in a developing country. » More about the MA:IDP program.
JD/Master of Engineering Management Program
The Pratt School of Engineering requires applicants to the JD/Master of Engineering Management Program to complete a separate MEMP application and submit a GRE score. The Law School and the School of Engineering will review the applications separately and make independent admission decisions. » More about the MEMP application