Combined JD/MA

The Combined Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in Law and English is designed for students interested in studying the intersections of law and literature. The combined program permits the completion of both degrees in three years rather than the four years it would take to acquire them independently.

Applicants must apply to each program separately; they should indicate on their applications that they wish to be considered for the Combined JD/MA program. Students are registered in the Faculty of Law for all three years of the program (full-time) and in the Department of English (full-time) as well for the last two years. The MA in English must be completed by course work, not by thesis.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Students are considered for the combined program after they have secured independent admission to the JD and MA programs.

Program Requirements

  • Complete all requirements for the MA in English (course work) during their two years of registration in the Department of English, i.e., ENG6999Y1F Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English, and 2.0 approved full-course equivalents (FCE) in English, including 1.0 from a set of designated “Law and Literature Program” courses.
  • Complete 44 credits at the Faculty of Law, including “Law and Literature” or a designated alternative, and satisfy all other requirements of the JD program.
  • Complete a Directed Research Project or Independent Study Course on a topic related to Law and Literature that may count toward either the Law or English requirements of the program. 
  • Required ENG6999Y1F Critical Topographies: Theory and Practice of Contemporary Literary Studies in English. Students must take this course in the fall term of the second year of their program.

Visit the Faculty of Law website for detailed information about the combined Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in English (including requirements).

How to Apply

Again, applicants must apply to each program separately; they should indicate on their applications that they wish to be considered for the Combined JD/MA program.