In addition to separate degree programs in Law and Communication Studies, the Law School and the Graduate School also offer a joint program of study leading to the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Arts in Communication Studies (M.A.). The joint degree program allows a student to complete the requirements for both degrees in three or four years.

The JD/CM challenges lawyers to sharpen their analytical, critical, and creative communication skills. Current communication scholarship, technology, and the rights surrounding the technology have placed increasing importance on law in the communications sector. To those who wish to practice law in communications related areas, this advanced degree is a valuable asset in their career development. This program will also enable students to acquire knowledge while developing ethical sensitivity and professionalism. For the student with the appropriate communication background, the degrees may be earned with the completion of a total of 108 hours of law and communication studies credits, 18 hours less than the normal requirement. To satisfy the 90 hours of law for the J.D. degree and the 36 hours of communication studies for the M.A. degree, 12 hours of law courses are transferred as elective credit to the M.A. degree and 6 hours of graduate communication courses are transferred as elective credit toward the J.D. degree. Students in the program must complete a minimum of 24 hours of communication courses at St. Mary's University.

The first year of study consists of law courses. During the second and third years, the student completes the remaining law courses and appropriate communication studies courses.

Admission to the joint program requires application to both schools, although application to the Graduate School need not be made until the student begins Law School. An acceptable LSAT score may be substituted for the GRE.

The following Communication Studies courses are required for the joint degree:

CM7343 Business Communication
3 semester hours

CM7390 Seminar in Professional Development
3 semester hours

CM8300 Foundations in Communication Studies
3 semester hours

CM8301 Survey of Critical Theory
3 semester hours

CM8332 Qualitative Methods in Communication Research
3 semester hours

CM9300 Foundations in Communication Theory
3 semester hours

CM9313 Topics in Theoretical Theory
3 semester hours

CM9324 The Law and Ethics of Mass Communication
3 semester hours