Recognizing the increasing need for specialization, Miami Law offers students a wide range of options to expand their study through joint degrees offered in cooperation with the University’s renowned graduate schools. Miami Law additionally offers its own J.D./LL.M. joint degrees or concentration / areas of focus for students looking to specialize in a range of areas.
Advice: What to Keep in Mind When Considering a Joint Degree
For students interested in completing a second program degree in addition to their J.D. degree, it is always a good idea to create a general plan and timeline for completing both degrees. The simplest way to think about a joint degree program is that admissions, degree requirements, tuition, and degree conferral are all separate. The only aspect that is joint, is the double-counting of some number of credits between the two programs.Questions to Ask and Find Out include:
- Is the GRE required for the second program?
- Must joint degree study first start on the J.D. side?
- If there is one, what is the application deadline for the second program?
- Does the second program offer any scholarship possibilities?
- Is an internship or capstone project required for the second program?
- Are there any possible J.D. courses, externships, clinics, or other activities that might require special consideration from a course load and scheduling perspective?
- Are there any additional J.D. course requirements which exist for some of joint degree programs?
When to Apply
Joint J.D./LL.M. Program:
Students will typically apply to the second program (LL.M.) during their second year of law school, and begin taking courses in the LL.M. program during the fall of their 3L year.
Joint J.D. + Degree at Other UM School:
Students will typically apply to the second program during their first year of law school, and begin taking courses in the second program as well as in the J.D. program during their second year. Most students participating in a joint degree program will need an extra semester, or perhaps two to complete both degrees. For many programs, it will be possible to complete the J.D. program at the end of the third year allowing students to graduate with their law school cohort.
LL.M. Program International Students: Application Requirements for Admission to the J.D. Program:
Current Miami Law LL.M. students should submit an application for admission to the J.D. program during the Fall semester of their LL.M. studies and no later than November 1. It is recommended that students discuss their intention to apply to the J.D. program with their LL.M. program director early on in their LL.M. studies to make sure their course selection enables them to complete all graduation requirements effectively. Please refer to the J.D. application overview page for further information.
A separate admissions committee will review their application and determine eligibility to enter the J.D. program. The admissions committee takes into consideration the nature of, and grade point average in, classes taken by the applicant while enrolled in the LL.M. program.
