This dual degree program is designed for those students who wish to study law and Russian, East European and Eurasian issues in an integrated and interdisciplinary manner. Students who expect to be involved in government service or legal practices with a Eastern European focus could benefit from this program.
The University of Texas is well positioned to offer a program of this nature. The Law School has long been considered to have one of the best faculties in the nation. Professors affiliated with the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies are recognized world-wide for their resources. The Tarlton Law Library is sixth largest academic law library in the United States.
A student admitted to the Dual Degree Program must complete the normal first-year coursework at the School of Law during the first year of the program. This must be done before taking any courses relating to the Dual Degree Program. Both degrees are awarded simultaneously upon completion of all requirements of the Dual Degree Program. Therefore, students should arrange their course schedules so that all requirements for both degrees are completed in the same semester. Generally speaking, a student with the requisite language background can obtain both degrees in eight semesters.
All Law School requirements applicable to students in the normal JD program must be satisfied. Eighty-six hours are required for graduation. As a general rule, no courses taken in satisfaction of the Master's degree requirements other than offerings in the Law School itself may be credited toward the JD degree. Students must check with the Law School on their eligibility to take the bar examination.
No language coursework or courses pertaining to Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (or other coursework beyond the normal first-year coursework of the JD program) may be taken in the first year of Law School.
The first-year curriculum in the Law School consists of the following courses:
*Five hour courses contain a writing component. Courses and sections for first year classes are preassigned.
Students are required to take Professional Responsibility, Constitutional Law II, and a writing seminar after the first year. The remaining hours at the Law School are elective.
The M.A. program offers either a report or thesis option. Course requirements include an introductory Seminar in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Civilizations and Cultures, three semester hours in each of three subject areas (Literature or Culture; Economics, History or Government; and Anthropology, Geography or Sociology), area studies electives, and a fourth year (or the equivalent) of formal language instruction. All courses counted toward the degree must have content relevant to Russia, the former Soviet Union, or Eastern Europe. No credit for the degree is earned by fulfillment of the language requirement, since language competence is a necessary tool for graduate study in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.
The Russian East European NIC page offers more information.
A prospective Dual Degree Program student should apply as follows:
The following steps must be taken:
Students presently enrolled in the first-year program in the School of Law may apply for admission to the Dual Degree Program by following the procedures detailed in steps 2 and 3 above.
The School of Law and the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies have limited funds for qualified students who merit financial assistance and who can show need. Information with respect to such assistance appears in the admissions information provided by these institutions. In general, funding for the first year may be awarded only through the School of Law, and through either institution thereafter.
Any questions should be addressed to:
Director, Law/Russian, East European, and Eurasian Dual Degree Programand
Director, Law/Russian, East European, and Eurasian Dual Degree Program