This program offers qualified students a unique opportunity to combine the study of law with coursework in English and American literature. “Law and literature” is an established scholarly field. The dual degree program facilitates inquiry into the common terrain of these two disciplines, including textual analysis and interpretative techniques, legal and literary theory, rhetoric, and the role of law in literature. Successful candidates receive both the Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a Master of Arts (MA) degree. With careful planning, the dual degree program can be completed in six semesters, rather than the eight semesters required to obtain each degree independently because some courses can be credited toward both degrees. Academic Requirements To earn the MA, students must complete eight graduate courses (normally 32 credits) in English. To earn the JD, students must earn at least 84 School of Law (LAW) credits and must comply with additional school requirements. The dual degree program allows students to receive joint credit for some courses taken at BU Law and in the Department of English (“the Department”), subject to limitations described below. The Department of English requires that dual degree students complete at least six graduate-level courses in the Department, including one course in literary theory and one Directed Study, which is devoted to the required JD/MA thesis. Of the six English courses, at least four must be graduate seminars (courses numbered 700 or higher). Examples of courses offered by the Department that may be of particular interest to dual degree students are listed in Attachment A of this document (PDF). Four of the literature courses taken to satisfy MA requirements also may be applied to the JD degree, up to a maximum of 12 LAW credits total. Students apply these literature courses to the JD degree during their second and third years of law school (typically one course per semester). Students also must take at least two LAW courses during their second and third years of law school that are approved by the Joint Advisory Board as relevant to the dual program.