Combination and Dual Degrees
Combined Degree programs allow students to complete two graduate degrees concurrently in less time than would be required to complete each degree separately. William & Mary law students can pursue a degree in law and a second degree in one of the following:
Dual Degree programs are those whereby students study at two or more institutions, and each institution awards a separate program completion credential bearing only its own name, seal, and signature.
For more information and requirements for admission, please visit our admissions website.Combination Degree Policy and Guidelines
Plan of Study
- Start at either program – during the first year of each, you’ll only take courses in that program. You must complete the first year of one before you move to the other program.
- You’ll take a combination of law and other program's courses in your final two years.
- If a course is cross-listed law with the combination program, you must declare to which program the credits will belong at the time you register in the course. Under no circumstance may you move the course from law to the combination program or combination course to law after the exam period for the term you are taking the course begins.
- If the course is not cross-listed please declare to the Law School registrar upon registration to which degree the course will belong.
- Regardless of where you are taking classes, you'll always retain the rights of a student at each school.
Degree Requirements
- Earn 75 law credits.
- You may not apply non-law credit hours to your law degree.
- 65 of your credits for graduation must be in William & Mary Law School courses graded by a letter grade (ie, A, B, C).
- Complete the first- and second-year Law School course requirements.
- Beginning with Class of 2021, earn a minimum cumulative law GPA of 2.5 at the end of the first term of legal study. A student who has not achieved a 2.5 cumulative GPA at the end of the first year of legal study will be dismissed for academic deficiency.
- To be able to continue in residence at the Law School as a 2L or 3L, a student must maintain a term and cumulative grade point average of 2.3.
- Comply with all combination program requirements.
Tuition and Fees
- Pay tuition and fees at the rate determined by each program's matriculation semester and agreement.
Financial Assistance
- If you’re eligible, you can be considered for available scholarship funds at either school.
- If you receive Law School scholarship funds or aid, they are not available during the semesters you’re paying tuition to the other program.
- Educational loan applications are processed by the Office of Student Financial Aid for the College of William & Mary.
Policy on Ad Hoc Dual Degrees
A dual degree is one in which two separate degrees are earned, with two separte institutions awarding each degree. Dual degree students are conferred with both degrees in May of their graduation year. Students who wish to create an ad hoc dual degree with another institution may petition to do so by contacting the Vice Dean. Such an arrangement must be approved by both schools before the student matriculates at the second institution.
A student wishing to complete an ad hoc dual degree must be independently admitted to each program. If approved to pursue the dual degrees, the student must complete both degrees in four years and must complete 86 law credits in five semesters in residence at the Law School (65 graded), all Law School required courses, and all requirements of the other program. Five semesters must be spent in residence at the Law School and three semesters will be spent in residence at the other institution. Credit from the other instutution will not transfer toward the JD.
Approved students pay tuition and fees to the Law School typically during the five semesters in which they are in residence. Any Law School scholarship funds or aid awarded will be available only during the five semesters in which a student is in residence at the Law School.
Petitions will be reviewed by the Academic Advisory Committee, which may grant or deny petitions in its sole discretion. Although each petition is considered on its own merits, the Committee shall be guided by (1) an assessment of the applicant's ability to successfully complete both degrees, (2) the intellectual and academic rigor of the other program, (3) the relevance of the other program to advancement of the applicant's legal/professional training, and (4) the proposed plan for completing both degrees' requirements in four years.
Students whose petitions to create an ad hoc dual degree are approved prior to matriculation at both schools must declare by May 1 their intent to begin the first year of study in either the Law School or the other program. Students who are already enrolled at one school when their petitions are approved must confirm their intention to pursue a dual degree by March 1.
All approved ad hoc dual degree students must confirm with the Vice Dean a proposed plan of completion to include number of classes and credits for each semester for both degrees. Both degrees must be completed within four years, including fulfillment of all Law School requirements. Students must provide a copy of an official academic transcript from the other program's institution to the Law Registrar following each semester in residence at the other school. Progress toward degree will be reviewed and a degree audit conducted following the conclusion of each semester.