J.D./M.A. in Communications

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A powerful background in law and communications can be a launching pad for a career in law, business, entertainment or government. That is why the University of Miami School of Law and the University of Miami School of Communication have brought together these two dynamic fields to offer a joint degree program in Law and Communications. Through this joint program, students can acquire a law degree and a master's degree in communications in less time (3 to 3 ½ years) while studying at a top law school and a top communication school.

The joint degree program in Law and Communications is intended for students with a variety of goals including those who plan to practice professionally in a communication-related field such as journalism or strategic communication with a law-related emphasis. Graduates of these programs may also work as in-house counsel for new communication technology companies and others may serve with government agencies concerned with communications law, or with law firms practicing in that field. This program also provides a solid grounding for future journalists who wish to report on legal affairs.

In addition, this program is also ideal preparation for the rapidly growing field of public affairs management, in which practitioners work in business, government and non-profits to communicate with key audiences.

Program Specifics

In this joint degree program, law students can choose from three different M.A. programs within the School of Communication. Within these programs, there are different tracks available to develop individual concentration. The specific programs include:

1. Journalism: This program has four tracks to choose from:

• News Writing/Reporting and Journalism track
• Television Broadcast Journalism
• Multimedia Journalism
• Communication for Social Change

2. Public Relations

3. Communication Studies: This program has three tracks to choose from:

• Communication Studies
• Health Communication
• Intercultural Communication

Program Requirements

• During their first year of the joint program, students will be required to attend the J.D. program full-time.
• Students will be able to take courses in the School of Communication beginning in the fall of their 2L year.
• Students must complete all J.D. requirements and all M.A. requirements as defined by their programs.
• The J.D. program students will complete 82 credits in the School of Law. Additionally, 6 credits from the School of Communication program will be applied to their Law School transcript, for a total of 88 required J.D. credits.
• The M.A. students will complete 27 credits in the School of Communication.
• Additionally, 9 law school credits will be applied toward their Masters degree, for a total of 36 required M.A. credits.
• As defined above, 15 credits will be counted toward both degrees: 6 credits from the School of Law and 9 credits from the School of Communication.
• Participants in the joint J.D. /M.A. program are not required to complete the 6-credit M.A. capstone project. The thesis-track is not open to students in the J.D. /M.A. joint program without specific approval of the SoC.
• Students may take Summer law courses which may reduce the length of the joint degree program by up to a semester. There are summer courses taught in the School of Law and the School of Communication.
• Students may not take more than 16 credits/semester. Seventeen credits/semester may be taken with permission from the Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, School of Law.

Click here for specifics on the Law School requirements and specifics on the School of Communication requirements.

For more information

Questions about the J.D. program should be directed to:

Sandra Abraham
Executive Liaison for Interdisciplinary Programs
305-284-4030, sabraham@law.miami.edu

Questions about the M.A. program should be directed to:

Professor Samuel Terilli
School of Communication
305-284-8451, sterilli@miami.edu

Click here for specifics on how to apply.