9 replies to this topic

[muffins]

Is the dual JD/MA in international affairs worth the extra year?

I did my BA in international relations, I speak three languages and have good international connexions. I was thinking that continuing in this direction with grad work might be beneficial as a lawyer.

My real question is:

Is there any real value in taking the MA for practicing law?


Experiences?

Thanks

- Muffins

Edited by muffins, 02 December 2011 - 07:10 PM.

[KER_2012]

I am as far as an expert as there can be, but what I think would be helpful to know for those more knowledgeable than I am is what exactly is your ultimate goal? If you did a JD/MA, where would you hope that brought you in 10-15 years?

[muffins]

I would like to get into IP or maybe M&A. I've been involved in both and really enjoy it.

I thought that the Ma might improve my marketability to firms and give me an edge on international deals.

I'm saying this naively probably.

[KER_2012]

Alright, I'm not going to pretend that I can give any useful advice about this. I really have no idea if a JD/MA would help your marketability. What I can suggest is finding someone who is currently doing what you want to do and ask what he or she thinks.

[conge]

I think your grades from law school and your performance at interviews will determine your competitiveness for getting a job. After that, your competence as a lawyer and your networking ability will determine your ability to get the type of work you want. I do not believe that the MA would give you any competitive advantage in the areas you mentioned.

However, the three languages you speak could help you be a more marketable lawyer; especially if your clients speak those languages or if your clients do business with people who speak those languages.

Edit: To be clear, having the MA will not make you less competitive; I think it can only help, but I don't think it'll help much.

Edited by conge, 04 December 2011 - 10:04 AM.

[alexamac]

I applied to the JD/MA program, but I never filled out the MA application part, and now am no longer interested. Does anyone know how I go about cancelling that application?

[muffins]

I am in the same boat as Amexamac.

[alexamac]

Hi muffins, I just emailed OLSAS asking about it, so hopefully they'll reply, and then I will update this thread with any info they've sent me.

[Bike Tester]

muffins, on 02 December 2011 - 07:10 PM, said:

Is there any real value in taking the MA for practicing law?

I have no idea, but even if there was I'd be careful. The additional time spent working on the MA could have an adverse effect on law study time, and consequently 1L grades. Not sure how dual degrees work so maybe that's not an issue, but I'd look into it.

Just my 2 cents.

[jmcazabon]

Bike Tester, on 09 December 2011 - 02:43 PM, said:

I have no idea, but even if there was I'd be careful. The additional time spent working on the MA could have an adverse effect on law study time, and consequently 1L grades. Not sure how dual degrees work so maybe that's not an issue, but I'd look into it.

Just my 2 cents.

you do the degrees at different times, during summer after first year then you start the MA. They aren't literally concurrent.

As to the MA/JD and lack of interest, you don't have to do anything. If you don't actually apply to Carleton, or don't get accepted to Carelton in just turns into an offer for a normal JD, no concurrent program. Im in the same boat as I realized I don't have the extra 10k and a year floating around to be doing something that is more interesting that actually useful, though by god would it be interesting!