Joint Degree FAQs

If I am currently a student in a master’s program at Penn State can I apply for a joint J.D./graduate degree?

Yes, if you are in your first year of your master’s program. You will have to coordinate with your graduate program to request a one-year deferral to complete your required first year J.D. curriculum.

Can I do the J.D. and master’s degree at the same time?

Yes, if you are in a two-year master’s program, you can expect to spend four years earning both degrees. You cannot, however, take courses in any other program during your first year of law studies.

Am I eligible for a scholarship to Penn State Law?

Yes, all applicants are automatically considered for scholarships. Your law school scholarship will apply to the three years of study in which the majority of your credits come from Penn State Law in University Park.

Are World Campus graduate program students eligible for this program?

Students should talk with their advisors regarding their own particular circumstances to determine eligibility. For context, distance learning credits, including online courses, cannot represent more than one-third of a student’s credits toward a J.D. (which requires 88 credits). First-year law courses must be taken in residence at Penn State Law in University Park.

What if I have not yet been accepted to a Penn State graduate program?

You may apply to both programs concurrently. We recommend students begin their studies in the Penn State Law J.D. program, and then begin their Penn State graduate coursework the following year.

If I am in a graduate program at a Commonwealth Campus, am I eligible?

Yes, we welcome applicants from any Penn State campus offering graduate degrees (Erie, Great Valley, Harrisburg, Hershey, and University Park). All first-year law courses must be completed at Penn State Law in University Park. Students will have to plan accordingly to ensure they can complete their remaining credits if courses are being taken at two different campuses.