J.D./Philosophy students must satisfactorily complete the graduation requirements for both the J.D. degree and the M.A. or Ph.D. in Philosophy degree. Separate diplomas will be awarded, and upon satisfactory completion of the program, a Joint Degree Certificate will be awarded as well.

Curriculum Outline

J.D./Philosophy students are required to take the first year of law school and the first year of Philosophy coursework as intact blocks. The first year at the Law Center may be taken either immediately prior to or immediately after completing one year of Philosophy coursework, but no earlier or later.

J.D./M.A. in Philosophy

J.D./M.A. in Philosophy degree candidates must complete 100 academic credits (76 credits of Law Center courses and 24 credits (or 18 credits and a thesis) of Philosophy coursework). Nine credits of Philosophy coursework will count towards the J.D. degree requirements, and 6 credits of J.D. coursework will count towards the M.A. in Philosophy degree requirements. The program also requires J.D./M.A. in Philosophy students to:

• pass a comprehensive examination in Philosophy;
• successfully complete the J.D. degree requirements, including:
  • a course in professional responsibility;
  • the upperclass writing requirement;
  • 6 credits of experiential coursework;
  • For students matriculating in Fall 2022 or later:  a course that teaches students to think critically about the law’s claim to neutrality and the law’s differential effects on subordinated groups, including those identified by race, gender, indigeneity, and class; and
• maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00/4.00 in the Philosophy program and the required minimum cumulative grade point average for the J.D. program (see the Juris Doctor Program chapter of Georgetown Law Student Handbook of Academic Policies).

J.D./Ph.D. in Philosophy

J.D./Ph.D. in Philosophy degree candidates must complete 112 academic credits (76 credits of Law Center courses and 36 credits of Philosophy coursework). Nine credits of Philosophy coursework will count towards the J.D. degree requirements, and 9 credits of J.D. coursework will count towards the Ph.D. in Philosophy degree requirements.

The program also requires J.D./Ph.D. students to:

• successfully complete three comprehensive examinations in Philosophy;
• successfully complete a dissertation;
• successfully complete the J.D. degree requirements, including:
  • a course in professional responsibility;
  • the upperclass writing requirement;
  • 6 credits of experiential coursework;
  • For students matriculating in Fall 2022 or later:  a course that teaches students to think critically about the law’s claim to neutrality and the law’s differential effects on subordinated groups, including those identified by race, gender, indigeneity, and class; and
• maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00/4.00 in the Philosophy program and the required minimum cumulative grade point average for the J.D. program (see the Juris Doctor Program chapter of the Georgetown Law Student Handbook of Academic Policies).