Joint JD/MLS or Law Librarianship

The Juris Doctor of Law and Master of Library Science (JD/MLS) program is designed for students who wish to enter the field of law librarianship.  A law librarian requires a JD degree and MLS degree with training.  The career area overall is experiencing a faster than average job growth rate as law teachers and law information specialists are also currently finding positions (https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-1112.00).  According to the American Association for Law Librarians (AALL), there is a very positive job outlook for law librarians.  The JD/MLS requires 24 semester hours of required and elective courses in the MLS program and 88 semester hours of required and elective courses in the JD program for the joint degree.  A degree in law and one in library science are essential to effective leadership in law librarianship, and they also allow students to prepare for a career in law librarianship and legal research.  This program allows students to pursue the two degrees simultaneously.  Students interested in this program should apply directly both to the School of Law and to the School of Library and Information Sciences.  The joint program is structured to allow the student to earn both degrees in less time than is required to earn each degree separately.  This program can be completed in a minimum of three calendar years.  Upon successful completion of 88 semester hours of required and elective courses, the School of Law grants the degree of Juris Doctor.  Nine semester hours of library science courses will meet the electives for the law degree.