Legal News

Loyola latest to offer dual degree, with a twist: J.D. and tax LL.M.

By Jason Siegel

Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, will provide a joint J.D. and tax LL.M. program next year, the first of its kind in the nation, according to the law school.

The joint program, anticipated to start during the fall of 2009, allows students to earn a J.D. and tax LL.M. master's degree in three years ? the amount of time it normally takes to complete a J.D. program. In contrast, most tax LL.M. master's degrees require that students complete another year of law school.

The program involves a tax session during the summer after a student's first academic year and 12 additional advanced tax units during his or her second and third year. Among Loyola's courses are a tax law practicum and an honors tax policy colloquium.

Programs with dual degrees have become more common in recent years at law schools. Last month, the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Wharton School launched a joint J.D./M.B.A. degree that takes three years, rather than the standard four years, to complete. Others offering similar joint J.D./M.B.A. degrees include Northwestern University and the University of Indiana?Bloomington.

This year, New York University School of Law and the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law launched a bachelor of laws and J.D. dual degree program.

-- Amanda Bronstad

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on October 22, 2008 (boomark / email).