J.D. from the School of Law
Earn your J.D. from the University of St. Thomas School of Law
Bring your faith into the court room
Law and Catholic Studies Joint Degree
A Joint Degree with Purpose
The Law and Catholic Studies Joint Degree allows students interested in the study of law and their Catholic faith to earn two degrees in just three to four years.
The Department of Catholic Studies' partnership with the School of Law allows elective credits from both programs to count towards the other's requirements for graduation.
Students must apply for each program separately and meet all admissions requirements in both law and Catholic studies. Students may enroll in the School of Law before applying to the Master of Arts in Catholic Studies.
JD/MA Joint Degree
Two Degrees, One Purpose
About the J.D. in Law
Master of Arts in Catholic Studies
Bring greater depth into your learning of the law while still finishing your JD and MA in three years.”
Catholic Studies Curriculum for a Joint Degree
Required Courses
Joint degree students take Catholic Thought and Culture I & II, as well as four thematic courses in the areas of: Theology, Philosophy, History, and Art.
Elective Courses
Joint degree students transfer 12 credits from their law degree to count towards their degree as electives. They do not take additional elective courses.
Masters Essay
Under the supervision of a faculty adviser, all students complete a master's essay as the final, qualifying project for the degree. The master's essay gives students an opportunity to develop research, critical thinking, and writing skills, and deepen their mastery of areas of Catholic Studies that have captured their imagination.
Example Courses
- The Catholic Novel
- Secularization
- Thomas Aquinas
- Science and Catholicism
- The Heart of Culture: The Story of Catholic Education
- St. Francis and His World
- Catholic Social Tradition
- John Henry Newman
- Virtue
- Christopher Dawson
- Dante's Divine Comedy
- Augustine's Confessions
- Thomas More
Required Courses
Joint degree students take Catholic Thought and Culture I & II, as well as four thematic courses in the areas of: Theology, Philosophy, History, and Art.
Elective Courses
Joint degree students transfer 12 credits from their law degree to count towards their degree as electives. They do not take additional elective courses.
Masters Essay
Under the supervision of a faculty adviser, all students complete a master's essay as the final, qualifying project for the degree. The master's essay gives students an opportunity to develop research, critical thinking, and writing skills, and deepen their mastery of areas of Catholic Studies that have captured their imagination.
Example Courses
- The Catholic Novel
- Secularization
- Thomas Aquinas
- Science and Catholicism
- The Heart of Culture: The Story of Catholic Education
- St. Francis and His World
- Catholic Social Tradition
- John Henry Newman
- Virtue
- Christopher Dawson
- Dante's Divine Comedy
- Augustine's Confessions
- Thomas More
The joint degree program offered a fantastic opportunity to explore the intersections between faith, work and the law. There is no question that my participation in the program shaped the way I now practice law in a positive way. "
Tara Anderson JD/MA ‘08