J.D. - M.A. Degree Program
The program in Law and American Culture is designed to encourage the interdisciplinary study of law and other aspects of American society and culture. It enables the student to obtain jointly the M.A. in American Studies and the J.D. degree within three and a half years, instead of the four that would be required if both degrees were pursued sequentially. Candidates interested in the combined degree program must apply to and gain acceptance by both the Law School and the American Studies Program.

The program in Law and American Culture is designed to encourage the interdisciplinary study of law and other aspects of American society and culture. For some students, the program may foster investigation of American legal history within the broader framework of U.S. cultural and intellectual history. Others may pursue inquiries on broad historical or contemporary themes, exploring the interplay between law and culture in forming institutions, policies, and thought within the United States.

The central premise of the program is that law, like every other element of culture, is at once a shaping force in American life and a product of history and society. The program will thereby promote twin goals of major importance to the faculties of law and American Studies at William & Mary: (1) the education of lawyers, who see their field in its broad connections to the larger culture; and (2) the development of scholarship within American Studies that is attentive to the impact of law on cultural forms and social practices.

Application to the Joint Program
Application to the American Studies Program is to be made to the Director of American Studies. The deadline for submission is January 15. Specific inquiries regarding the application should be addressed to: The American Studies Program, College of William & Mary, Post Office Box 8795, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187-8795, (757) 221-1275, FAX (757) 221-1287.

Plan of Study
The joint program is to be initiated in the Law School. The first year of law school must be taken as a whole and the Legal Skills Program at the Law School must be completed in sequence. The student will then follow a program of study defined by the American Studies Program that includes writing a thesis, completing A.S. 551, and completing five elective courses that will apply to the M.A. degree.

Degree Requirements
Students who successfully complete 86 hours (80 law hours and 6 American Studies hours) and meet all degree requirements will be eligible for the J.D. degree upon certification from the American Studies Program that the M.A. requirements have also been satisfied. Students in the Joint JD-MA program are permitted to apply only the prescribed non-law courses of the American Studies Program (A.S. 551 and one elective) towards the 86 total credits required for graduation.

Students who successfully complete 24 hours applied to the American Studies degree and meet all degree requirements will be eligible for the M.A. degree upon certification from the Law School that the J.D. requirements have also been satisfied.

American Studies Program
College Apts. Second Floor
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Phone: 757/221-1275
Fax: 757/221-1287
E-mail: jxbrow@wm.edu
Internet: http://www.wm.edu/CAS/ASP

Tuition and Fees
Tuition is to be paid for three years at the Law School rate and one year at the Arts and Sciences rate. Tuition is paid to the M.A. program during the year when the student is earning hours predominantly in that program.

Students in the joint degree program will pay fees charged to law students for three years and will have all the rights and duties of law students for the duration of their studies in the joint program. Similarly, students will pay fees charged to Arts and Sciences students for one year and will have all the rights and duties of those students for the duration of their program studies.

Financial Assistance
William & Mary Law School awards scholarships and processes educational loans for eligible students. Joint degree candidates will be eligible to receive aid administered by the Law School during three years of enrollment.

College of William & Mary
Office of Financial Aid
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Phone 757/221-2420
E-mail: finaid@wm.edu
Internet: http://www.wm.edu/financialaid/

William & Mary Law School
Office of Admission
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Phone 757/221-3785
E-mail: lawadm@wm.edu
Internet: http://www.wm.edu/law/