In conjunction with the School of Law, The Department of Government and Politics offers a dual M.A./J.D. program.
At the end of three years of graduate study, including at least one summer, you may graduate with both the Master of Arts and the Juris Doctor degree.
You must apply separately to the School of Law and the Graduate Division of St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and meet all requirements for admission to both programs as set forth in the respective Bulletins.
If you are currently enrolled in the School of Law, you may apply prior to completion of your second year of study. You may, however, need to spend an additional semester or more in full-time study for the M.A. If you are currently enrolled in the M.A. program, you may also apply for the dual degree.
The Deans of both schools must approve the course of study for all M.A./J.D. students.
Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. St. John's University has not determined requirements for individual states beyond New York. If you reside or plan to reside outside New York, you are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing agency in that state to seek information and guidance before beginning the program.
Fred P. Cocozzelli, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair
Government and Politics
St. John Hall, Room 234L
718-990-5267
[email protected]
You must apply separately to the School of Law and the Graduate Division of St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and meet all requirements for admission to both programs as set forth in the respective Bulletins.
Please see the Graduate Admission and J.D. Admissions sections of the website for more information.
Students, in consultation with the M.A./J.D. committee and the approval of the Dean of the Graduate Division of Arts and Sciences, may apply up to 9 credits taken as part of the Law School curriculum toward the M.A. degree. Alternately, in consultation with the M.A./J.D. committee and the approval of the Dean of the School of Law, students may apply up to 9 credits from the Department of Government and Politics toward credits required for the J.D.
In planning a course of study suitable for each student, the following shall apply:
| J.D. Program | M.A. Program (Thesis) | M.A. Program (Non-thesis) | |
| J.D. Credits | 75 | - | - |
| M.A. Credits | - | 24 | 24 |
| Credits towards both degrees | 9 or | 9 | 9 |
| _____ | _____ | _____ | |
| Totals: | 84 | 33 | 33 |
Students electing the thesis or non-thesis option for the M.A. will complete at least 108 semester hours for their dual degree program.
As a lawyer with a master's degree in Government and Politics, you will be well positioned to advise and represent agencies on legal issues and disputes at the local, state, and federal level. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of lawyers is projected to grow six percent through 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
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Whether you want to become a lawyer, a political correspondent, educator or civic leader, there’s no limit to what you can do with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Politics from St. John’s University.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Government and Politics at St. John’s combines rigorous academic study with the opportunity to develop valuable practical skills that are highly attractive to a wide array of employers across the public and private sectors.
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The Office of Student Financial Services is committed to providing students and their families with the information they need to navigate and understand the financial aid and payment process.
St. John’s offers a free online application for all 100+ undergraduate programs, and graduate applications carry a low cost for most programs.