MALAS/JD

The Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Arts (MA) in Latin American Studies dual degree program is jointly administered by the Dean of the School of Law and the Associate Director of Academic Programs for Latin American Studies. The purpose of this program is to prepare legal professionals for work in Latin America or with Latinx populations in the United States. By combining legal training with Latin American language and area studies, the program enables students to develop professional skills directly applicable to Latin American nations and populations. In addition, the student earns two degrees in less time and at less expense than would be required if each were pursued separately. Requirements are as follows:

• 80 credit hours of Law coursework (that must include 9 credit hours of international law),
• 24 credit hours of Latin American Studies coursework, including LTAM 510 and a minimum of 12 credit hours from one concentration in the M.A. in Latin American Studies program, and
• 3 credit hour bridge course covering subject matter linking Law and Latin American Studies.

All students follow Plan II (non-thesis).  To meet the exit requirements for the Latin American Studies component, students must complete a capstone paper that spans content taken under the chosen M.A. in Latin American Studies concentration and law topics. The capstone paper is overseen by a Committee on Studies composed of three faculty members (including at least one member of the Law faculty and one non-Law Latin American-specialized faculty member).