Admissions

JD/MA & JD/MS

Duke is the only elite law school in the country to allow students to earn both a law degree and a master's degree in three years and one summer. Typically, between 20 and 25 students in each class pursue one of these dual degrees. Their motivations vary widely. For some, there is a clear and strong complementary relationship between their legal and graduate school studies. For others, the MA is an opportunity to continue pursuing an academic passion from their undergraduate years, even though it may not be as closely related to their JD studies. In either case, they find that the dual-degree program is as convenient to complete as the application process.
» Application information

Single application

JD/MA and JD/MS candidates do not need to apply separately to the Graduate School - the regular law school application is all that's required. In addition, the Graduate School waives the GRE requirement for JD/MA and JD/MA applicants, so there's no need for an additional standardized test.

Summer start

JD/MA and JD/MS students (along with JD/LLM students) get a head start on their JD classmates by taking two of the first year law school courses during the summer before their official first year of law school. This allows them to begin their graduate school studies during the fall and spring, and complete both degrees in three years, leaving their later summers free for legal employment. The summer start is also a great way to begin law school in small-class setting and form a close bond with your dual-degree classmates.
» Learn more about the summer start

Scholarship Opportunities

JD/MA and JD/MS students who are awarded scholarships typically receive additional funds towards the initial summer term. Some exceptional candidates will receive Dual Degree Mordecai Scholarships, which cover the full tuition cost beyond the regular JD.
» Learn more about Duke Law Scholarships
» Learn more about Dual Degree Mordecai Scholarships

JD/MA degrees

JD/MS degrees