Concurrent Degrees

The University of Washington's interdisciplinary approach encourages students to take full advantage of the University's unique position as a leading research institution and to consider one of the many dual-degree programs available. Enrollment in either a formal dual-degree program or an informal concurrent degree program at the University permits a student to proceed in a coordinated way toward sequential completion of both degrees in a shortened period of time. The breadth of programs available through the Graduate School and professional schools will satisfy almost every academic interest.

The practice of law has become increasingly complex, requiring lawyers to think broadly as problem-solvers. Concurrent or joint degree programs allow students to personalize their study of law by adding knowledge, skills, and analytical tools from other disciplines.

With more than 100 programs through the UW Graduate School, our law students have access to highly ranked programs offered at the UW, including:

• Business Administration (J.D./MBA)
• Electrical Engineering (J.D./MSEE)
• Health Administration (J.D./MHA)
• Information School (J.D./MLIS, J.D./M.S.)
• International Studies (J.D./M.A.)
• Public Administration (J.D./MPA)

For students interested in specializing in an area of law, law students may consider concurrent enrollment in one of the School of Law's LL.M. programs:

• Asian & Comparative Law
• General Law
• Global Business Law
• Health Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Sustainable Development
• Tax Law

Application Process

A student must apply for admission separately to both the Graduate School and the law school. First-year law students are eligible to apply for admission to the Graduate School and for joint-program status. Some candidates who are accepted to concurrent programs may choose to begin the master's program first. This allows them to go straight through the J.D. program in three years with their J.D. class.

Curriculum Planning

The J.D. program begins in the Autumn quarter only, and students must take the required first-year courses all at the same time; in the second and third years of the law program, the student may combine law courses and courses in the graduate discipline. The actual planning of the course sequence for a concurrent degree program generally takes place during the student's first year in law school. Students wishing to pursue a concurrent degree program should pay careful attention to the limits on non-law course credit.