Joint Degree Programs

Nebraska Law offers several joint degree programs for students interested in
pursuing an additional course of study outside of the law college. Pursuit of a
dual degree typically results in a course of study that is shorter than if the
degrees were completed separately. Admission criteria and curriculum
requirements vary by program.

Juris Doctor / Masters in Public Accountancy

The need for professionals with backgrounds in accounting and law are rapidly increasing. Retirement and estate planning, internal auditing, corporate accounting, and forensic accounting are growing fields, and tax attorneys and FBI tax agents are in high demand. 

The Law/Public Accountancy joint degree program combines concepts and analytic methods from both fields.  Students who complete the program will take a wide breadth of courses that provide interdisciplinary insights, preparing them to sit for both the Bar exam and CPA exam.

Juris Doctor / Masters in Business Administration

The Law/Business Administration program is designed to integrate the study of law and business and thus expand career opportunities. Students who complete both degrees often go on to become transactional attorneys or corporate in-house counsel or compliance officers, non-profit directors, management consultants, investment bankers, human resource officers, entrepreneurs, or business owners. 

 

Juris Doctor / Masters of Community & Regional Planning

Planning is a dynamic profession that works to improve the welfare of people and their communities by creating more convenient, equitable, healthful, efficient and attractive places for present and future generations. To create these environments, planners must have a strong understanding of the laws that can, and will, impact their vision for the community. Property law, natural resources and environmental laws, and state and local legislation play an important role in the work of a planner.

Juris Doctorate / Master of Arts in Social Gerontology

The joint Law/Gerontology program is designed for students interested in developing a unique expertise and knowledge of the law as it relates to the aging adult population. Career paths for students with an education in law and gerontology can include long-term care and hospital administration, elder abuse victim advocacy, policy research and analysis in the field of aging, veterans affairs and administration, or practice as elder law attorneys. 

 

Juris Doctorate / Master of Arts in History

The joint Law/History program is designed to better prepare students for a variety of professional roles in which the knowledge, skills and background of both law and history are important. These roles can be found in a variety of settings in the public and private sectors as well as in teaching and research.

 

Juris Doctor / Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications

Students in the Law/Journalism and Mass Communication program develop an understanding of the role of journalism in a democratic society. They also develop a keen understanding of how the law, particularly Constitutional law and intellectual property law, affects mass media in the United States. Career options for students with a law degree and a masters degree in journalism and mass communication range from political and legal correspondents, to strategic communications roles in law firms, government agencies or non-profit/advocacy organizations.

Juris Doctor / Master of Arts in Political Science

Professionals in the world of government face legal and regulatory challenges as they work to influence public policy. Students in the joint Law/Political Science program study political institutions and develop an understanding of the laws by which those institutions are bound. They graduate ready to embark on careers in public policy, intelligence or government research. Graduates of this program have also pursued careers in politics, lobbying, advocacy or academia.

Juris Doctor / Law and Psychology

The joint Law/Psychology program is the world’s oldest integrated program in psycholegal research. Students study and apply theory and research from social, cognitive, clinical and developmental psychology to problems in law and policy. Students who complete this degree program go on to careers in academia, trial consulting, applied research, behavioral analysis, policy research and analysis, and clinical forensic psychology.

Three different program tracks are offered:

  • Juris Doctor and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology
  • Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in Psychology
  • Master of Legal Studies and Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology

Each track provides interdisciplinary training in psychology and law. The juris doctor tracks allow students to sit for the bar exam, while the master of legal studies track does not.

Application Information

Apply to both programs

Students who want to obtain a Joint Degree must apply and be admitted to both the College of Law and the Graduate Program. Students admitted to both programs are automatically admitted into the Joint Degree program.  

Entrance exams for both the law and graduate program are required

In most circumstances, the applicant must take the Law School Admissions Test and the entrance exam required by the applicable graduate program.

You do not have to make a decision to be a joint degree student right away

Students currently pursuing a law degree or a graduate degree can become joint degree students when they are partially through their current program. However, there are credit hour limitations that apply. Students should review the specific application requirements for enrolled students for each program. 

Tuition and scholarship

Students admitted to a joint degree program will pay College of Law tuition rates for all law credits and graduate tuition rates for all graduate courses. Scholarships awarded by the College of Law apply only to law credits.  

Create your own joint degree

If you are interested in a joint degree that is outside the nine established degree programs currently offered, please contact the College of Law. Through our relationship with the University of Nebraska and its Office of Graduate Studies, we may be able to create a joint degree program just for you.

  

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