Joint Degree Programs: Juris Doctor/Master Of Arts In Security Studies
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JURIS DOCTOR/MASTER OF ARTS IN SECURITY STUDIES


J.D./M.A.S.S.P. degree candidates must satisfactorily complete course requirements for both the J.D. and M.A.S.S.P. degrees. In addition to the J.D. and M.A.S.S.P. degrees, a Joint Program Certificate will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the program. Students in the joint degree program undertake a four-year course of study comprising a minimum of 109* academic credits (79* Law Center credits and 30 credits of M.A.S.S.P. courses). 6 credits from the Law Center will satisfy M.A.S.S.P. degree requirements, and 6 credits of M.A.S.S.P. course work will satisfy J.D. requirements.

Curriculum Outline:

  • 24 credits of M.A.S.S.P. course work taken in the first year of the joint program, including completion all of all core classes for the program. Students will also be responsible for completing most of the M.A.S.S.P. requirements in this first year, specifically:
    Completion of SEST-500, Theory and Practice of Security;
  • Selection and completion of a concentration – either U.S. National Security, International Security, Technology and Security, or a customized concentration negotiated with the Director of the SSP. This concentration includes: a core class for the concentration, three electives within the concentration, and a research seminar in the concentration;
  • Completion of distribution requirements in four of the five following areas (not including the concentration): U.S. National Security, International Security, Technology and Security, Area Security Studies, and Economics and Security;
  • 31 credits of the required first-year law curriculum (taken in the second year of the joint program)*;
  • 32 credits in further law courses including Professional Responsibility and the legal writing requirement. These courses are distributed among the third and fourth years;
  • 16 credits in international law courses, including three credits in International Law I and 13 credits in further international law courses, at least 3 of which need to be in international/national security law;
  • 6 credits of additional M.A.S.S.P. coursework, taken in the third, and/or fourth years or during Summer sessions;
  • Residency Requirement (see J.D. Program section).
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for the Law Center and a 3.0 for the M.A.S.S.P..


* 1 fewer credits is required for students who completed the first-year law curriculum in the 2005-06 or 2006-07 academic years. 2 fewer credits are required for students who completed the first-year law curriculum prior to the 2005-06 academic year.