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JD/Master of Theological Studies

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In collaboration with Duke Divinity School, Duke Law School offers the opportunity to pursue a JD/Master of Theological Studies dual degree. Candidates apply separately to the Law School and the Divinity School and receive independent admission decisions.

Students admitted to the JD/MTS program complete both degrees in four years. Some choose to spend their first year at the law school, and their second year at the Divinity School, and take classes from both during their third and fourth years. Others reverse the order of the first two years of study, beginning at the Divinity School and then completing the first year of law school.

Master of Theological Studies

The MTS is an academic degree primarily focused on preparing women and men for the teaching ministry of the church. The degree provides an introduction to the theological disciplines as foundation for a graduate research degree. It also provides grounding for teaching, research or personal enrichment.

Submit a JD application to the Law School and indicate your intention to apply for the dual degree on that form. Concurrently, submit your application to the Divinity School for their degree program. Follow their directions to indicate that you are also applying to the Law School.

It is also possible to matriculate into one degree program at Duke and apply to the other during the first year of study.

Each school will complete its normal application review process, and you will receive separate decisions for each degree. These processes run on different timelines, so you are not guaranteed to receive the decisions at the same time.

If you are admitted to both degrees, you may choose where to begin your studies at Duke. Please be sure to notify the schools of your decision so that they can manage their classes appropriately.