Dual Degree Program (J.D./M.Ed./M.A.) Juris Doctor and Master of Education or Master of Arts

Dual Degree (J.D./M.Ed./M.A.) Juris Doctor and Master of Education or Arts

Experience firsthand learning from industry experts and engaging in field-based experiences through our law and education programs. Students emerge prepared to act as advocates in a variety of careers, including as policymakers, education leaders, policy analysts, teachers and attorneys representing students, families, educators, or education institutions.

At a Glance

Who is it for?

Students interested in public policy and educational practice for school leaders in elementary, middle, and secondary schools.

How long will it take?

Full-time students can complete two degrees in three years.

How do I start?

Students must apply and be admitted to both Boston College Law School and the Lynch School of Education and Human Development.

How much does it cost?

To estimate your total program cost, multiply the number of credits required in your program by the tuition cost per credit.

The Role of Education and Law

In second half of the 20th century, law and education became inextricably intertwined. The U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954, 1955) spurred countless reforms affecting education. In the years following, the law has increasingly provided a forum for resolving disputes over the nature, scope, content, and organization of public and private education.

 

Law has been used as a catalyst for reform in education, from laws aimed at individual students (i.e., individuals with disabilities, low income, or minority students) to laws aimed at systemically reforming the national and state education systems (i.e., the Massachusetts Education Reform Act, the "No Child Left Behind" Act, the federal Higher Education Act). In 1997, Boston College created the law and education dual degree program. The program allows for completion of the J.D. degree at Boston College in conjunction with an education degree.

Curriculum

There are three options for this dual-degree program, allowing completion of a J.D. degree at Boston College Law School in conjunction with one of the following education degrees. Explore the individual programs and the dual degree M.Ed. curriculums below. Please visit the Boston College Law School's website to review program requirements for the Juris Doctor degree.

J.D. / Curriculum & Instruction, M.Ed. (nonlicensure)

J.D. / Educational Leadership, M.Ed. (nonlicensure)

J.D. / Higher Education, M.A. / Student Affairs Concentration

J.D. / Higher Education, M.A. / Administration Concentration

Requirements

Students in a dual degree education and law program must complete the normal first year curriculum at the Law School in consecutive semesters, after which students are ordinarily advised to begin the dual degree program. Students, however, may begin the program during the summer before the first year at the Law School, or in part-time study. It is required for students to be registered as full time throughout the program. In order to complete both programs in three years, students will likely need to take a slight overload of coursework, for a total of five classes per semester (15-16 credits). Summer work may be required.

Students must complete five semesters of residency at the Law School, as required by the American Bar Association, in addition to one semester of residency at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, as required by the University. 

Careers

  • Private law firms specializing in education law and civil litigation
  • Doctoral programs in education and education policy
  • State and federal court clerkships
  • General counsels' offices in universities and public school systems
  • Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
  • School boards of local school districts and boards of directors of public community college
  • Think tanks and advocacy groups

Contact

Program and Admissions

Raquel Muñiz, J.D., Ph.D. 
Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Higher Education
Associate Professor, Boston College Law School
Campion Hall 226
617-552-2401

Elisabeth Keller, J.D., M.A.
Associate Professor of the Practice, Boston College Law School
885 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02459
617-552-4394

Grad Admissions & Financial Aid
Lynch School of Education and Human Development
Campion 135
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-552-4214

Admissions & Financial Aid
Boston College Law School
885 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02459
617-552-4351

 

Other Information

For specific questions regarding degree requirements, contact:

Renee Jones
Associate Dean
Boston College Law School
Office of Student Services
306 Stuart Hall

For information on financial aid processes or hourly-paid student employment information, contact:

Kim Gardner
Director of Admissions, Financial Aid and Strategic Recruitment
Stuart House M301
885 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02459
617-552-0175

Apply

Print

Application & Deadlines

Apply Now

Applicants for the joint degree program apply and must be admitted separately to both the Law School and Lynch School of Education and Human Development degree programs at Boston College. 

Information on application to Boston College Law School is available on the web here:

Lynch School Admissions Information

Law School Admissions Information

Students will need to apply to the Lynch School for the specific Master’s degree program they wish to complete as part of the dual-degree (Curriculum and Instruction (nonlicensure), Educational Leadership (nonlicensure), or Higher Education). Applicants should include on their application to the master’s program and a specific indication that they will be seeking the Dual Degree in Law and Education.

A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. The fee is waived for select applicants.

Deadlines

Applicants should apply by the deadline(s) indicated for their Lynch Master's program of interest:

Curriculum & Instruction
Educational Leadership & Policy
Higher Education

Resume & Personal Statement

Resume:

To be uploaded to your online application.

In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.

Personal Statement:

To be uploaded to your online application.

In 1,000-1,500 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.

Tuiton & Financial Aid

Students are not required to pay double tuition for the two degrees. Students in the dual degree program pay Law School tuition for five of the six semesters of the program.  The semester they are in residency in the Lynch School they pay the Lynch School per-credit tuition rate for all of their courses. See below for more information on Lynch School's financial assistance options.

The Law School withdraws its scholarship aid during the residency semester in the Lynch School for students in the Dual Degree Program.   During that semester, the Lynch School will give priority consideration to students for Lynch School financial aid. You will be notified of any financial aid you will be awarded from the Lynch School with your admission decision.

Dual degree students have to complete, sign, and submit only one federal financial aid application/validation for the academic year when they will be enrolled in either school that year. Information provided in the application/validation will be used by the Financial Services area of the university Office of Student Services to determine the student's Cost of Attendance budget for that year, as well as the student's eligibility for different types of federal financial aid assistance.  Total financial aid awarded cannot exceed total calculated federal eligibility.

If a student's financial aid resources for that year, including tuition remission and stipends, exceed total calculated federal eligibility, an adjustment to awarded federal financial aid will be required.

Students who enroll at least half-time (6 credits in most cases) for the summer in the Lynch School may be eligible to receive a Federal Stafford Loan for that enrollment period. It is very important that the student completes the summer enrollment questions of the Boston College financial aid application/validation form to assist in determining eligibility.

 

 

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required, with at least one preferably coming from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice.

Transcripts

Transcripts from all college/university study are required.

Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the "International Students" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.

Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found within the application. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.

 

Standardized Tests

Submitting GRE test scores is optional for this program for the 2023 entry term(s). If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218.

Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.

Writing Sample

Not required.

International Students

Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.

Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.

Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.

Requirements for International Students

Quick Links

Contact Us

  gsoe@dos5.net
  617-552-4214