The joint Juris Doctor/Master of Arts in Philosophy (JD/MA) program, offered by Osgoode Hall Law School and the Department of Philosophy at York University, provides students with the opportunity to develop skills and acquire knowledge at the intersection of the naturally related disciplines of law and philosophy. It is the only program of its kind in Canada, and draws on Osgoode’s existing strength in legal theory and the Department of Philosophy’s recognized strength in moral, political, and legal philosophy. The program is ideal for students who wish to pursue either further post-graduate study and ultimately an academic career, or opportunities in a variety of careers in legal practice.

Students must apply, meet the admission requirements, and be admitted separately to both the JD and MA programs, indicating their interest in the dual program. In the first year of the program students will complete the first year of the JD program. In the second year they will enter the MA program on a full-time basis and complete the coursework component of the MA degree. In the third and fourth years students will return to the JD program, but also take an additional graduate course in philosophy, as well as complete a major research paper on some topic at the intersection of law and philosophy, jointly supervised by a faculty member in the law program and a faculty member in the philosophy program.

Successful completion of the dual program will be validated by the issuance of two parchments, one for the JD and one for the MA, and transcripts issued in relation to the two programs will include a clear statement of the nature of the dual program.

For more information about the JD/MA program, please contact one of the program’s directors: Prof. Michael Giudice or Prof. Francois Tanguay-Renaud.