Degree Requirements:

The Juris Doctor/Master of Science or Master of Arts in communications are combined degrees which may be conferred by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the College of Law. A student who is admitted to one of these programs has the opportunity to earn both the J.D. degree and the M.S. or M.A, as appropriate, in a variety of communications fields in substantially less time than would be required were the two degrees be obtained independently.

Joint degrees in communications prepare students for careers in communications law and media, public policy, journalism, and a variety of entertainment industries. Students may matriculate into one of a number of programs including advertising; arts journalism and communications; magazine, newspaper and digital journalism; media studies; multimedia, photography, and design; public relations; and television, radio and film. The duration of the joint program in communications varies according to the program chosen and the student’s prior coursework.

Questions and inquiries should be directed to Martha Coria at nhmasters@syr.edu. Students with general questions and inquiries concerning procedures regarding joint degrees should contact the College of Law Registrar’s Office, Dineen Hall, lawstudentrecords@syr.edu.