Joint Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Arts in Theology

In addition to separate degree programs in law and Theology, the Law School and the Graduate School also offer a joint program of studies leading to the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and a Master of Arts in Theology. The joint degree programs allow a student to complete the requirements for both degrees in three or four years.The degrees may be earned with the completion of 108 hours of law and theology 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 theology for the M.A. degree, 12 hours of law course are transferred as elective credit to the M.A. degree and 6 hours of theology are transferred as elective credit toward the J.D. degree. Students must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of Theology courses at St. Mary's University, exclusive of prerequisites.The first year of study consists of law courses. During the second and third years, the student completes the remaining law courses and appropriate theology courses.

Admission to the joint programs requires application to both schools although application to the Graduate School need not be made until the student begins Law School. An acceptable score on the LSAT, GRE, or MAT is required for acceptance to the Theology program.

The Theology course requirements are one course in Scripture (Old Testament or New), Principles of Theological Method, one additional course in systematic theology (Christology, Ecclesiology, or Trinity), Foundational Moral Theology/Ethics, one additional course in moral theology (social ethics or human sexuality), Biomedical Issues in Catholic Thought, Canon Law and Church Administration, and a research practicum (8 courses total).