How to Apply as a Joint Degree Student
Joint degrees are a great opportunity for students to earn another graduate degree while earning their law degree.
Interested students can either apply at the same time as to the College of Law, or during the first year of law school. Joint degree students must begin at the College of Law and will consider the College of Law their home school.
Applying prior to law school:
Students interested in applying to a joint degree program prior to law school may be required to take a specific entrance exam, such as the GRE or GMAT. The best way to find out if the program you're interested in requires an entrance exam is to inquire with the individual master's program contact. This option to apply prior to law school tends to be less common. Students who choose to apply early usually have a specific career plan in mind.
Applying during the first year of law school:
Students can also choose to apply to a joint degree program during the first year of law school and must petition with the College of Law Office of Student Life to pursue a joint degree. This internal process requires students to have at least a 2.50 law school GPA. Students must apply separately to the master's program of interest. For more details on the internal joint degree requirements, please see page 27 of the Academic Handbook[PDF].
If you have specific questions regarding master's degree admissions requirements as a joint degree candidate, or the curriculum for any of the programs that offer a joint degree with the College of Law, feel free to contact the designated contact person below:
Joint Degree | Contact | Email address |
|---|---|---|
| M.S. in Accounting or Finance | Shri Ramakrishnan, Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment | sramak01@syr.edu |
| M.S. in Business Administration | Shri Ramakrishnan, Assistant Director of Graduate Recruitment | sramk01@syr.edu |
| M.S. in Communications | Graduate Records Office, Public Communications | pcgrad@syr.edu |
| M.S. in Cultural Foundations of Education with an optional Certificate in Disability Studies | Michael Schwartz, Professor at College of Law, Director of Disability Rights Clinic | maschw01@law.syr.edu |
| M.S. in Engineering & Computer Science | Can Isik, Professor at College of Engineering & Computer Science | cisik@syr.edu |
| M.S., M.P.S., Certificate, in Environmental Science | Dr. Robert Malmsheimer, Professor & Pre-Law Advisor at SUNY ESF | rwmalmsh@esf.edu |
| M.A. in International Relations | Christine Omolino, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid | comolino@maxwell.syr.edu |
| Master of Public Administration | Christine Omolino, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid | comolino@maxwell.syr.edu |
| M.S. in Library & Information Science | Jose Tavarez, Academic Advisor at School of Information Studies | jltavare@syr.edu |
| M.S. in Forensic Science | Michael Sponsler, Director of Curricular Programs | sponsler@syr.edu |
| M.A. in Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy | Thomas McKay, Professor of Philosophy | tjmckay@syr.edu |
| Master of Social Work | Adrienne Renfroe, Graduate Admissions & Recruitment Coordinator | alrenfro@syr.edu |
More information on our joint degree programs.
Review the Graduate Admissions Application website for more details on graduate programs and steps to apply.