Academics
Coursework at the College of Law combines classroom theory with real-world practice.
Academics
Coursework at the College of Law combines classroom theory with real-world practice.
J.D. and MA (Philosophy)
A dual-degree candidate must satisfy the requirements for both the J.D. and MA (Philosophy) degrees, as well as the requirements of the dual-degree program. The College of Law will award a maximum of 9 hours of credit toward the J.D. degree for successful completion of approved graduate level courses (500- or 600-level) offered in the Department of Philosophy. The Department of Philosophy will award a maximum of 15 hours of credit toward the MA degree for successful completion of approved courses offered in the College of Law. All courses for which such cross-credit is awarded must be approved by the JD-MA (Philosophy) program coordinators in the College of Law and Department of Philosophy. Upon admission to the dual-degree program, a dual-degree candidate will take, if he or she has not already taken, the required first year courses in the College of Law.
During the first year in the J.D. program, students register through the College of Law. During the first year in the Philosophy program, students register as graduate students. After the first two years, any term in which students take law courses or a mixture of law and graduate courses, they are classified and registered as law students. If taking only graduate courses, they are classified and registered as graduate students.
Dual-degree students who withdraw from the program before completion of the requirements for both degrees will not receive credit toward either the J.D. or the MA (Philosophy) degree for courses taken in the other program except as such courses qualify for credit without regard to the dual-degree program.
For more information on the JD-MA curriculum, see the UT Graduate Catalog.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants for the JD & MA (Philosophy) program must make separate application to, and be independently accepted by, the College of Law for the J.D. and the Department of Philosophy and Office of Graduate Admissions for the MA degree, with a major in Philosophy. Applicants must also be accepted by the dual degree committee (the membership of which will include a program coordinator from both the College of Law and the Department of Philosophy). Upon petition, an applicant’s LSAT score may be accepted by the Department of Philosophy as a substitute for the normally required GRE score. Application to the dual degree program may be made prior to or after matriculation in either the J.D. or the MA (Philosophy) program, but application must be made prior to the last 29 hours required for the J.D. and prior to the last 15 hours required for the MA (Philosophy).
Approved Dual Credit
For grade recording purposes in the College of Law and Department of Philosophy, grades awarded in the other unit will be converted to either Satisfactory or No Credit and will not be computed in determining a student’s GPA or class standing. The College of Law will award a grade of Satisfactory for an approved Philosophy course in which the student earns a grade of B or higher and a grade of No Credit for any lower grade. The Department of Philosophy will award a grade of Satisfactory for an approved law course in which the student earns a grade of 2.3 or higher and a grade of No Credit for any lower grade. The official academic record of the student maintained by the Office of the University Registrar shall show the actual grade assigned by the instructor without conversion.