Joint degree program

The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is partnering with the Robert H. McKinney School of Law to offer a joint master’s degree program.

Joint Degree
Master of Jurisprudence, IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Students who successfully complete this joint degree program will receive a Master of Jurisprudence Degree (M.J.) from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law and a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies (M.A.) degree from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. As stand-alone degrees, the M.J. degree is 30 credit hours and the M.A. degree is 36 credit hours. The joint M.J.-M.A. degree is 48 credit hours.

The curricula from both schools are as follows:

All students must satisfy the requirements for both degree programs.

Many working professionals enroll in the M.J. program to increase their comfort and familiarity with the legal framework without becoming a practicing lawyer or quitting their current professions.

Students have reported that their studies have aided them in their various professional careers and have advanced their analytical reasoning and communication abilities.

This program allows students to build their own curriculum to meet their needs with the help of a faculty advisor, and a joint degree with the M.A. program at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy enhances student options in the nonprofit field.

Joint Degree
Juris Doctor, IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Students who successfully complete this joint degree program will receive a Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law and a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies (M.A.) degree from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. As stand-alone degrees, the J.D. degree is 90 credit hours and the M.A. degree is 36 credit hours. The joint J.D.-M.A. degree is 108 credit hours.

The curricula for both schools are as follows:

All students must satisfy the requirements for both degree programs.

The target market for the J.D.-M.A. joint degree program is aspiring attorneys who seek to work either in a legal capacity for nonprofit or philanthropic clients, or as high-level managers, officers, and board members of nonprofit or philanthropic enterprises.

Such clients and enterprises include but are not limited to higher education, health, arts, social services. Potential positions include law firms with nonprofit or philanthropic clients, in-house counsel for large nonprofit or philanthropic enterprises, personal financial and legal advisors, foundation program officers, family foundation principals, professional fundraisers, corporate executives, nonprofit board members, and corporate social responsibility officers.