If you are considering law school and have already identified a specific area that you would like to practice in that also requires an advanced degree, a joint JD degree program may be beneficial to your career plans. Joint degrees, or dual degrees, are programs that allow students to pursue both their Juris Doctorate and another advanced degree concurrently. Common combinations are JD-MBA (Masters of Business Administration), JD-MPA (Masters of Public Administration), JD-MPP (Masters of Public Policy), JD-MSW (Masters of Social Work) and JD-Ph.D. programs. There are many benefits to pursuing a joint degree, however it is a decision that should be made with lots of forethought. When deciding if a dual degree is the right goal, one should have a clear vision of how the additional degree fits into their future career plans. JD Dual degrees are very intense programs and therefore should not be pursued simply as a “next step” decision, or because one is undecided about their future plans. If deciding to complete a JD joint degree program, one should be able to articulate what opportunity this joint degree will create for them and how it will have benefits additional to the J.D. degree. Further, J.D. dual degrees should not be pursued solely for the sake of “challenging yourself.” Often recruiters agree that a joint degree does not necessarily make one more attractive as a job candidate, and in fact can signify a lack of focus if one does not have a specific plan for how they plan to utilize both degrees.
Key points to consider: Be Intentional
-Cost/Time Commitment: If you are planning to get two degrees anyway, it may be beneficial to complete them concurrently instead of sequentially. One of the benefits of dual programs is that overlapping coursework can be counted for credit for both degrees, eliminating the redundancy of two sequential degrees and cutting the time and number of classes that have to be taken. Additionally, it will remove having to interrupt your career (and income) for several years to pursue that degree later.
-Career/Practice Goal: You should have a definitive goal for how you plan to use your dual degree, not be just trying to keep options open. Be confident that it will increase your value as a job candidate.
Pros:
-Specialization & Credibility – A joint degree can provide additional credibility to one’s practice and specialization in the overlap of specific areas (ex. JD/MD for a lawyer that aims to pursue medical malpractice)
-Diversified Network – Participation in two study areas increases one’s network of colleagues in both industries
-Cost Effective – cheaper than pursuing two degrees separately, and there is potential for prestigious scholarships
Cons:
-Monetary Cost – Additional year of school means foregoing that first year of salary
-Additional Workload – May be difficult commit fully and be involved in the benefits of each individual degree program offer outside of the classroom, such as law journals or building strong connections with members of MBA cohort.