Master of Arts in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies

The Law School and Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies offer a dual degree program leading to two graduate degrees: the Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) and the Master of Arts in Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies (MAREEES). This dual degree program is designed for those students who wish to study law and Russian, East European and Eurasian issues in an integrated and interdisciplinary manner. Students who expect to be involved in government service or legal practices with a Eastern European focus could benefit from this program.

Program Structure

A student admitted to the dual degree program must begin in the Fall Semester at the Law School and complete the first-year course work during the first year of dual enrollment. This must be done before taking any courses relating to the dual degree program. Both degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all requirements of the dual degree program. Therefore, students should arrange their course schedules so that both degree requirements are completed in the same semester.

Curriculum Requirements

School of Law

All Law School requirements applicable to students in the normal JD program must be satisfied. Eighty- six hours are required for graduation.

The Law School’s first-year curriculum includes six one-term four-unit substantive law courses: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law I, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property, and Torts. One of these six courses will include a writing component, which adds a unit of credit to the course. The rest of the first-year curriculum includes Legal Analysis and Communication (3 units) in the fall, Persuasive Writing and Advocacy (2 units) in the spring, and an optional elective course of 2-3 units in the spring term. The first year program in the law school usually totals 30 units of credit.

The upper-class curriculum includes required advanced courses listed on the Degree Requirements page.

As a general rule, no courses taken in satisfaction of the Master’s degree requirements other than offerings in the Law School itself may be credited toward the JD degree. Students must check with the Law School on their eligibility to take the bar examination.

No language coursework or courses pertaining to Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (or other coursework beyond the normal first-year coursework of the JD program) may be taken in the first year of Law School.

Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies

For more information, see the Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies website.

How to Apply

Students must apply to both programs separately and be accepted independently by both. While applicants are encouraged to apply to both programs simultaneously, applicants may also apply for the other program during the student’s first year at whichever program they begin.

Financial Aid

The Law School and the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies have limited funds for qualified students who merit and need-based financial assistance. In general, funding for the first year may be awarded only through the Law School, and through either institution thereafter.

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