A Joint Degree With Purpose
The St. Thomas School of Law prepares students to become accomplished servant leaders in the practice of law. Our mission, "as a Catholic law school, is dedicated to integrating faith and reason in the search for truth through a focus on morality and social justice."
At St. Thomas, students interested in pursuing the law while growing in their Catholic faith have an opportunity to pursue a joint J.D. and master's degree program offered by the School of Law and the Department of Catholic Studies. Our university's Catholic Studies program is the oldest, largest program of its kind. And St. Thomas Law is ranked #5 on National Jurist's list of the Most 'Devout' Law Schools (2025).
Full-time students can expect to complete the joint program in three to four years of study, less time than it would take to earn the two degrees separately. Students must apply for each program separately and meet all admissions requirements. Students may enroll in the School of Law before applying for the Master of Arts in Catholic Studies degree.
J.D./M.A. students must complete all of the graduation requirements for their J.D.—31 credits in first-year courses and no fewer than 57 credits in the second and third years, completing a minimum of 88 credits. You will also select elective courses from a variety of offerings to complete your upper-level requirements, with 12 credits counted toward the Catholic Studies degree.
Joint degree students take Catholic Thought and Culture I & II, as well as elective courses that must cover four thematic areas: Theology, Philosophy, History and Art.
Joint degree students transfer 12 credits from their law degree to count towards their degree as electives. They do not take additional elective courses beyond the four required thematic courses.
Under the supervision of a faculty adviser, all students complete a master's essay as the final, qualifying project for the degree. The master's essay gives students an opportunity to develop research, critical thinking, and writing skills, and deepen their mastery of areas of Catholic Studies that have captured their imagination.
Sample Three-Year Degree Plan (includes a summer term)
Sample Three-and-a-Half Year Degree Plan (no summer term)
J.D./M.A. students must complete all of the graduation requirements for their J.D.—31 credits in first-year courses and no fewer than 57 credits in the second and third years, completing a minimum of 88 credits. You will also select elective courses from a variety of offerings to complete your upper-level requirements, with 12 credits counted toward the Catholic Studies degree.
Joint degree students take Catholic Thought and Culture I & II, as well as elective courses that must cover four thematic areas: Theology, Philosophy, History and Art.
Joint degree students transfer 12 credits from their law degree to count towards their degree as electives. They do not take additional elective courses beyond the four required thematic courses.
Under the supervision of a faculty adviser, all students complete a master's essay as the final, qualifying project for the degree. The master's essay gives students an opportunity to develop research, critical thinking, and writing skills, and deepen their mastery of areas of Catholic Studies that have captured their imagination.
Sample Three-Year Degree Plan (includes a summer term)
Sample Three-and-a-Half Year Degree Plan (no summer term)
College of Arts and Sciences
The University of St. Thomas Catholic Studies department offers an immersive, interdisciplinary and faithful study of Catholic thought and culture, within a rigorous and supportive academic community.
The Murphy Institute works to engage the church, the academic community and the public in discussions that bring historical and contemporary Catholic perspectives to debates about law and public policy.
Students in the Religious Liberty clinic write appellate briefs, primarily amicus curiae briefs, in cases involving religious liberty in the U.S. Supreme Court, lower federal courts and state appellate courts.
The Initiative on Restorative Justice and Healing teaches law students, and the legal community, how to utilize restorative practices within our courts and communities to facilitate healing, build bridges and bring about a more just and inclusive society.
Professor Schiltz is the law school’s faculty advisor for the J.D./M.A. in Catholic Studies program. She is also the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Herrick Professor of Law and the Thomas J. Abood Research Scholar.
Dr. Junker is an Associate Professor of Catholic Studies and the faculty contact for the Catholic Studies portion of the J.D./M.A. program. His interests include Renaissance poetry and drama, the history of political thought and Dante.
"The joint degree program offered a fantastic opportunity to explore the intersections between faith, work and the law. There is no question it shaped the way I now practice law in a positive way."
"Catholic Studies intentionally sets the Incarnation at the center of all its work, which fostered an environment where I could authentically pursue the whole of truth in my legal studies, while also deepening my love and practice of the Catholic faith."
"The [joint degree] regulated my experience. Generally speaking, law school means diving into facts and analysis. In Catholic studies, we were able to dive into broader ideas about humanity."
"I strongly recommend [the joint degree] to anyone interested in delving deeper into their faith while studying the law. The courses allowed me the opportunity to more thoroughly address larger questions of importance, such as what does it mean to be a human person."
"The joint degree program was an invaluable part of my experience at St. Thomas. It allowed me to understand and appreciate the deep bond between our legal system and the moral and intellectual principles of Catholic teaching."