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JD/MA in Law and Comparative Education with the School of Ed

by | May 13, 2019 | Postgraduate

The right of children to an education is a global concern. In conjunction with the School of Education, the School of Law offers a dual JD/MA in Law and Comparative Education. A combination of legal analysis and knowledge related to children’s legal rights at both a national and international level enables you to effectively advocate in the interest of social justice. You will focus on conducting original research at the intersection of education law and policy to improve education practices.

You will achieve all learning outcomes of both the JD and MA in Comparative Education degrees. Your studies in each program will be enhanced by designing a curriculum tailored to your interests and career goals.

CURRICULUM

 

You will work with your advisors to plot your course sequence based on admission time, career goals, and course availability. Here is a sample plan:

YEAR ONE

Fall and Spring Semesters

YEAR TWO

Fall Semester
9-11 credits of Law School coursework
Advocacy
3 elective courses
6 credits of Education coursework
Philosophy of Education or Sociology of Education
Research Methods
Spring Semester

YEAR THREE

Fall Semester
9-11 credits of Law School coursework
Practicum or clinic (Education Law Practicum, ChildLaw Clinic, Legislation and Policy Clinic)
Professional Responsibility
Elective course
6 credits of Education coursework (2 courses Advanced Seminar electives or additional Research Methods course) and design MA thesis proposal
Spring Semester

Degree Requirements

 

To earn a dual JD/MA in Law and Comparative Education degree, you must complete 89 credit hours, including 65 law credit hours and 24 education credit hours. The dual degree can be earned in three years of concentrated study. You will spend your first year as a full-time law student and take one education course in the spring semester. JD foundational course requirements and skills and experiential course requirements will be taken in the second and third years, concurrent with several education courses. Completing course requirements by taking one or more summer classes is highly recommended. The MA degree requires successful defense of a thesis for which students must conduct independent, original research. The JD and MA degrees are awarded concurrently upon the successful completion of degree requirements for both programs.

FEES

 

The School of Law and Northampton Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the necessary financial resources to make their legal education at Northampton affordable

Fee

SJD in International and Comparative Law

by | May 13, 2019 | Postgraduate

You will demonstrate an advanced knowledge in an area of international and comparative law. You will develop an effective research methodology and a research plan and will learn to discuss and present your research and writing at scholarly gatherings such as conferences, seminars, and colloquia.

 

You will write a dissertation of publishable quality that makes an original and substantial contribution to legal.

You will be prepared to exercise proper professional judgment and contribute to a deeper understanding of law and legal institutions through commitment to research, scholarship, and public service.

CURRICULUM

 

The curriculum of the SJD is tailored to the background of each candidate and entirely depends on the research topic(s) and field(s) of law chosen. All students must complete five components of study, research, writing, and final examinations:

YEAR 1

With guidance and approval from the Advisory Committee, you will enroll in a total of 10 credit hours of course work related to your field of research (5 credits in each the first and in the second semester). In addition, you will complete an approved list of readings in your main and corollary study fields.
You will enroll in the SJD Colloquium and will give one presentation during the first year that and another prior to graduation. The oral presentations require a passing grades.
You must complete an oral examination at the end of the first year. If you pass the exam, the Advisory Committee will approve your continuation in the program.

YEAR 2-3

You must register for the dissertation course for each term and regularly coordinate your progress with your advisor. You will continue to meet, either in person or remotely, with your Advisory Committee twice a year. Within three years of enrollment, you must submit a final doctoral dissertation for review and approval to the Chair of your Advisory Committee.
You must provide an oral defense of your dissertation before the Advisory Committee. Upon approval, the Advisory Committee will forward your dissertation to the SJD Committee and to the full faculty of the School of Law for final approvals.

ADMISSION

EligibilityTo apply to the program, you must have a first law degree (Juris Doctor or equivalent) and an LLM. from a U.S. accredited law school. Strong preference will be given to graduates from Northampton’s LLM programs

FEES

 

The School of Law and Northampton Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the necessary financial resources to make their legal education at Northampton affordable

Fee