Loyola University > School of Education > Academics > Degree Programs > Dual Degree Programs > JD/MA in Law and Comparative Education
JD/MA in Law and Comparative Education
Combine expertise in children's rights and education law with a research-driven understanding of educational policy.
In this dual degree program offered by the School of Education and the School of Law, you'll conduct original research at the intersection of international education law and policy, with an overarching social justice orientation.
Upon graduation with a dual degree in law and comparative education from Loyola, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values necessary for a career analyzing and developing international education law and policy.
Knowledge
While gaining comprehensive exposure to curriculum in children’s rights and education law, you will also examine education policy and practice at the local, national and global levels through an interdisciplinary approach, with an overarching emphasis on social justice. You'll develop expertise in international comparative education, including specific skills and competencies needed to undertake and complete research in this exciting sphere of education policy.
Skills
You'll achieve all the learning outcomes of both the JD and MA degrees, including development of expertise in the analysis, research, and improvement of education policy and practice. You'll gain and exercise the skills necessary to conduct your own independent research, recognizing and working with the cultural dimensions of education so that you can improve learners’ educational experiences and institutions.You'll also facilitate educational research as the foundation for the formation and implementation of educational policy and practice.
Professional Values
You will demonstrate commitment to social justice by engaging with your peers, professors, and community to understand and engage with education policy and practice. Throughout your coursework, you will discuss the role of pluralism in democracies and other political systems, the effects and intersections of race, nationality, immigration status, class, religion, gender identity and presentation, sexuality, disability, veteran status, and other identities on educational aims, and issues of global citizenship or cosmopolitanism. You will be expected to critically engage with one another, texts, and ideas in an effort to address systemic inequality and to advance social justice.
Program Faculty
Our dedicated Cultural and Educational Policy Studies Faculty are experts in their fields who will support students throughout each stage of the program.
Curriculum
To complete the JD/MA program, students must complete 65 Law credit hours and 24 Education credit hours, for a total of 89 credit hours. The JD and MA degrees are awarded concurrently upon the successful completion of degree requirements for both programs. This dual degree allows you to earn both degrees at a much lower cost and in less time than if you enrolled in each program independently.
While this dual degree program has courses with a prescribed sequence, each follows the university's regular program. All program requirements apply for each area, as well as each school's broader policies and procedures.
- JD Curriculum and Curriculum Guidelines
- MA in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies
- Loyola's School of Law
- Loyola's Graduate School
More information about this program can be found in the CEPS Graduate Programs Handbook.
Sample Course Sequence
The curriculum provided below offers a suggested course sequence. Courses taken and their sequencing may vary, depending on course scheduling, availability, program requirements, and student interest. Changes to this suggested curriculum may be made in consultation with the student’s advisor in the respective program.
First Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
|
|
Second Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
|
|
Third Year
| Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|
|
|
Recommendations for Course Selection
Students are required to take a minimum of two advanced seminar elective ELPS courses in their depth area, specifically focused on comparative and international education. Possible courses include:
- ELPS 458: International Education
- ELPS 550: Globalization and Education
The two remaining ELPS advanced seminar electives may focus more broadly on cultural and educational policy studies issues and/or may be additional research methods courses.
In consultation with their advisor, students may choose to take additional research methods course(s) to assist with the thesis design and execution, which takes place as an independent student project during the third year of study. Possible courses include:
- RMTD 404: Educational Statistics
- RMTD 420: Advanced Qualitative Research.
Courses that are highly recommended for JD students include:
- LAW 221: Administrative Law
- LAW 270: Business Organizations
- LAW 210: Evidence
- LAW 280: Federal Income Tax
JD students are required to take a Perspective Elective course prior to graduation. Education Law and Policy (Law 461) satisfies this requirement. They also must take Professioinal Responsibility prior to graduation. It is highly recommended that JD students take Administrative Law, Business Organizations, Evidence, Federal Tax Income, and rigorous writing courses.
JD students are required to obtain a minimum of two credits in Skills courses. They must also earn a minimum of six credits in Experiential Learning courses, of which at least three credits must be earned through Live-Client Experience courses. Each count toward the Experiential Learning (Live-Client Experience) requirement. The Education Law Practicum (LAW 166), ChildLaw Clinic (LAW 620), and the Legislation and Policy Clinic (LAW 606) each count toward the Experiential Learning (Live-Client Experience) requirement. More information is available regarding degree requirements for JD students and the experiential learning options.
Tuition, Financial Aid and Scholarships
The School of Education and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the necessary financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable. You can learn more on the Financial Assistance page.
