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JD/MA in Chinese Studies Dual Degree

  

The Center for Chinese Studies was founded in 1961 and has held a leading position internationally for more than 40 years. The Center's distinguished faculty form an intellectual community fostering collaboration among humanists, social scientists, and professionals in an environment appreciative of the interdependency of past and present. The MA Program provides students with a broad interdisciplinary approach to the study of China while allowing the flexibility to pursue individual areas of interest. A unique feature of the MA Program is a required two semester interdisciplinary graduate seminar in Chinese Studies, which provides a forum for true interdisciplinary dialogue and intensive interaction among MA students and leading China faculty.

The University of Michigan Law School, one of the oldest in the nation, was founded in 1859. There are more than 70 full-time faculty members, as well as distinguished visiting scholars and practitioners, who maintain a long tradition of eminence in a wide variety of legal fields. To date there are over 19,650 Michigan Law graduates worldwide. These alumni have employed the skills, principles, and qualities of character honed at Michigan to achieve extraordinary professional distinction around the world. They are leaders in courtrooms and boardrooms across the land, as private entrepreneurs, as government lawyers or elected officials, and as champions for underserved peoples and causes both domestic and international.

REQUIREMENTS

 

The JD (82 credits) degree program, including:

  • At least 70 credits must be earned in regularly scheduled Law School courses
  • A seminar course
  • A course in professional responsibility
  • A course In transnational law
  • An upper-class writing course
  • Up to 12 credit hours may be earned through courses taken in Chinese Studies

 

The Center for Chinese Studies (24 credits) degree program, including;

  • The interdisciplinary seminars in Chinese Studies: CCS 501 (social science) and CCS 502 (humanities)
  • One course from the history department on Chinese history
  • One course focusing primarily on the imperial or pre-imperial period
  • One course focusing on modern China
  • MA thesis (may register for CCS 700)
  • Third year level Chinese language competency
  • Six credit hours may be earned through pre-approved courses taken in the Law Sch

 

Chinese Language

Students in the MA program in Chinese Studies must complete 3rd year competence in reading and speaking Chinese. Students are encouraged to apply for summer language study fellowships which can enable students with limited prior language training to fulfill the language requirement.  Under special circumstances JD/MA dual degree students can petition to be allowed to satisfy this requirement with only one semester of 3rd year Chinese. Note that only 4th year level language classes can count toward the CCS degree credit requirement.

 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Employment opportunities for graduates of the dual degree program abound. The most obvious placement for such students is with law firms, but demand also exists in multi-national corporations, government agencies, and NGOs. Although those most interested in the products of the program are likely to be large international firms with operations in China, or significant Chinese clients, the dual degree will also prepare students for employment opportunities at smaller firms that serve Chinese clients or conduct business in China. Numerous other opportunities exist, for example, in international trade, public affairs and academia.

 

APPLICATION

Applicants must gain separate and independent admission to both the Law School and the Center for Chinese Studies, affiliated with the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, and should contact the admissions office of each school for application and admission information. The applicant's LSAT score may be used in place of the GRE. All applications to the Center for Chinese Studies must be received by January 15 and applications to the Law School must be received by January 3. You are encouraged to submit your application as early as possible. This dual degree program is not open to students who have already earned either the JD or MA in Chinese Studies degree. Students registered in the first year or second year of the JD and first year of the MA may apply.  

Students must satisfy the requirements of each degree program and should consult with advisors in each school for the precise graduation requirements for each degree. Students should not expect any Law courses beyond first-year courses to be offered in the summer term. Students will not receive credit toward the J.D. for coursework taken prior to matriculation at the Law School. Tuition will be assessed at either the Law School or the Rackham Graduate School rate, whichever is higher, when courses toward both degrees are taken in one term. At the beginning of their final year of study in the combined program, students should consult with both their Rackham academic advisor and the Law School Registrar regarding forms that need to be completed prior to graduation. Also at this time, students should submit a Dual Degree Course Elections Form for approval from both the Law School and the Center for Chinese Studies.

 

For more information on this program contact:

Center for Chinese Studies

Student Services Coordinator
Center for Chinese Studies
1080 S University Ave, Suite 3668
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Tel: (734) 764-6308
Email: chinese.studies@umich.edu
http://www.ii.umich.edu/ccs

 

Law School

University of Michigan Law School
313 Hutchins Hall                                                            
625 S State Street                                              
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
Tel: (734) 615-0019                                        

Email: law.dual.degrees@umich.edu
http://www.law.umich.edu/