You can earn a second degree to accompany your J.D. degree and choose from several options. Our combination programs allow you to receive two degrees in less time, and often at significantly reduced cost.
The School of Law offers students the opportunity to complete work on a Juris Doctor and a graduate degree in one of the following programs:
Combination Degree Programs
Knowing the tax effects of structuring a legal transaction can be a huge benefit for your client. But having both a J.D. and a Masters in Accountancy can give you an incredible advantage at just about any negotiating table. It’s one of the best reasons to consider the Law Accountancy dual degree program. Whether your interests lie in estate planning, transactional law, or helping shape public or tax policy, combining legal training with advanced accounting skills will sharpen your ability to analyze information, identify problems, provide value-added solutions, and communicate them in a compelling manner.
As business and law become increasingly interconnected, South Carolina Law and the Moore School of Business offer a cross-disciplinary opportunity to pursue a joint JD/MBA program, while saving time by enrolling in both programs concurrently, and graduating in just 3.5 years.
With two great networks to connect with for career opportunities and the ability to differentiate yourself in a competitive job market, the JD/MBA is a logical choice for those wanting to combine a career in law and business.
Whether you want to be a prosecutor or a defense attorney, your effectiveness in the courtroom will be greatly enhanced if you can identify—and point out to the jury—patterns of criminal behavior and victimization, policing, corrections and/or criminal justice policy. And that’s where adding a Masters in Criminology and Criminal Justice to your law degree can give you the advantage.
The M.A. program will give you the background in statistical analysis, criminological theory and the fundamentals of scientific research needed to be able to read and interpret scientific data, and also know the most effective questions to ask an expert witness—crucial elements in helping you build your case.
If you are interested in the scientific/management aspects of environmental and natural resources protection, consider enrolling in the Master of Earth and Environmental Resources Management and Law dual degree program. With MEERM courses grounded in environmental, geological, biological, chemical, marine and environmental health sciences (to name a few), the four-year program allows you to tailor the curriculum to best suit your interests and career goals. Coupled with a strong legal background and firm grasp of environmental law and policy, and you will have the ability to protect the planet--including its water, air, soils, and ecosystems--from both a legal and scientific perspective.
The ability to analyze trends and predict future earnings are among the most sought-after skills in business and government. But a strong economics background goes far beyond the financial, helping forecast all sorts of outcomes based on certain criteria. That knowledge is invaluable to a lawyer who may be doing anything from drawing up contracts to examining the effects of a proposed policy to restructuring an organization to make it more profitable.
Combining your J.D. with a Masters of Economics through the Moore School of Business can give you a competitive edge as the rare candidate who can recognize the fiscal and societal impacts of a legal decision—and work to improve them. And any economist would agree: Enrolling in this program allows you to earn both degrees in approximately four years and reduce your total course load—saving you both time and money.
Healthcare in America is currently undergoing tremendous changes, and the effects will be felt for years to come. There has never been a better time to consider a dual degree in Law and Health Services Policy and Management. The program, offered through the School of Law and the Arnold School of Public Health, will prepare you to navigate—and even help shape—healthcare policies, regulatory compliance, and patient safety issues.
After approximately four years, you will be ready to strengthen the nation’s health care system in leadership positions in hospital administration, or practice health law in a wide variety of sectors, including insurance, food and drug law, or biotechnology.
A key factor separating successful firms from less-profitable competitors is how each manages its human resources. But to be truly successful, you also have to be able to navigate increasingly complex government rules and regulations, and manage the risks associated with discipline, compliance and labor issues, that could otherwise cripple a company’s reputation.
And that’s where having a J.D./Masters of Human Resources dual degree makes you indispensable. The program, offered through South Carolina Law and the Moore School of Business, provides a solid foundation in both legal and HR theory and best practices, as well as hands-on learning experiences necessary to meet the exciting challenges you will face as an employment lawyer or as an HR professional.
As our world grows increasingly complex, the legal opportunities in international business, such as trade, dispute resolution, and mergers and acquisitions have increased dramatically. With a J.D. from South Carolina Law, and an International MBA from the Moore School of Business—the number one-ranked international MBA program in the nation—there are truly no limits to where you can go.
Both programs are completed in four years. The first two years will be dedicated to law school. But the following two years will include a mix of law and business courses, and the completion of a corporate internship and an in-country language immersion component.
From print and television to digital publishing to social media, how and where we get our news has shifted drastically in recent years—and will continue to do so as technology and audiences evolve. These shifts have brought new questions about the ways the news is gathered and reported, as well as how and where it can be disseminated. To tackle these and other issues, you will need to have a strong understanding of how the media operates and how they are protected by the law.
Whether your interests lie in protecting First Amendment rights and the freedom of the press, or if you’re more interested in the business of the media, such as helping negotiate broadcast rights, the J.D./Master of Mass Communication can help you achieve your goals. Students who graduate from this program often become First Amendment law specialists, work for major media companies, or become legal analysts for the industry.
Public Administrators serve an increasingly diverse population through leadership positions with government agencies, nonprofit groups or other public affairs organizations. A passion to serve others is the driving force in this field, but the ability to reinforce that passion with a background in the law creates a formula for success. That's where the Public Administration and Law dual degree program comes in.
Through this program, students will gain the skills that will set them apart from others through a rigorous curriculum that promotes the understanding and practice of public affairs, as well as the ability to navigate and shape public policies for the common good in both national and international settings. Graduates of the program go on to work at all levels of government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
Many students say their desire to attend law school began with a passion to help others and promote social justice. If you count yourself among them, consider enrolling in the Law and Social Work dual degree program, designed for those who want to take their commitment to serving the community to the next level. The program reflects the combined missions of the College of Social Work and the School of Law to contribute to the common good and promote social well-being and social justice for vulnerable populations. As an attorney with clinical social work skills, you will be better prepared to discover and understand the special needs of people who are disadvantaged. As a social worker with legal skills, you will be able to advocate more effectively for clients within the legal system. Either way, you will earn both a law degree and a masters of social work in just four years, and be well-positioned to fight oppression and discrimination, and protect and promote the development of all people.
Dual Degree Program
Receive a J.D. from South Carolina Law and a Master of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School, named the top environmental law program for 2018 by US News and World Report.
Focusing on the policy side of environmental law, this program prepares students for leadership positions in government, nonprofits, corporations, and private practice. Both degrees are earned in only three years through a combination of summer sessions in Vermont, distance learning courses, and supervised externships.