Fast-track to a career in legal information with a JD/MLIS
Qualified University of Arizona students have the opportunity to pursue an accelerated track to obtain both a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science (MLIS). By pursuing these degrees simultaneously through the JD/MLIS dual degree program, students can obtain both degrees in four years rather than five.
In this program, students can hone their research skills, study emerging information technologies, and gain hands-on experience as a Law Library Fellow or intern in an academic law library. This unique program will prepare students for a wide variety of careers in the public and private sectors.
Career Pathways
Upon graduation, JD/MLIS students will be well-equipped to pursue many different careers including legal practice, data science and analysis, legal technology, competitive intelligence, knowledge management, cultural heritage protection, and librarianship in academic, governmental and law firm libraries. The value of this dual degree is clear: law librarians with both a JD and MLIS can earn a considerably higher salary than those with only an MLIS, and some law library leadership positions (particularly in academia) require both degrees.
Career pathways include:
- Law librarian in academic law library: Teach credit-bearing legal research courses to law students, research and publish on topics relevant to law, legal information, pedagogy, and librarianship, and guide faculty, law students, judges, attorneys, and the public on research projects.
- Law and technology librarian: Oversee data analysis and curation, information technology operations, resource management systems, and artificial intelligence tools for a law firm or governmental organization.
- Attorney: Expand your organization's capability to efficiently discover and utilize relevant legal sources.
For additional information about career pathways and salary ranges, see AALL's Careers page and speak with your Career Development Office or a member of the Law Library team. To learn about topics relevant to law librarianship, see AALL Spectrum, Law Library Journal, Legal Reference Services Quarterly, and the Special Libraries Association.
If you are interested in a career in legal information but this dual degree program is not right for you, speak to an advisor about other options such as a Graduate Certificate in Legal Information.
Sample Academic Plan
This dual degree program results in significant savings of time and money because up to 18 units may be “double-dipped” to qualify for both degrees.
- Year 1: Take core/required JD courses (31 units)
- Year 2: Take core/required MLIS courses (18 units)
- Year 3: Take a mix of core/required and elective JD and MLIS courses (31 units)
- Year 4: Take a mix of core/required and elective JD and MLIS courses (27 units)
- Total: 107 units (compared to 125 units if obtaining both degrees separately: 88 units for Law and 37 for MLIS)
This sample academic plan is based on course rotation schedules that are set by the College of Law and the School of Information (iSchool) and are subject to change. This sample plan is only one of many possible plans. While the Year 1 schedule is not flexible, the schedules for Years 2-4 are highly flexible. Students should regularly meet with an advisor from both the College of Law and the iSchool to plan their course schedules and review requirements for both degrees.
Application Procedures & Deadlines
The College of Law and the iSchool each maintains its own admissions process. Students must apply to and be accepted by each program independently. Students must apply and be admitted to the JD program first. After admission to the JD program, students may apply to the Main Campus (in-person) or Online MLIS program. Students who begin first in the MLIS program will not be able to apply to the dual degree program. Students must meet the prerequisite requirements for both degrees.
JD Program applications:
- Applications for Fall admission open in September and are due July 15 (June 1 for international applicants who require an F or J visa, June 30 for international applicants who do not require the F or J visa)
- Go here for application information.
MLIS program applications:
- Applications for Fall admission are due February 15 for in-person students and March 15 for online students
- Applications for Spring admission are due September 1 for in-person students and October 1 for online students
- Go here for application information.
Program Requirements & Policies
- JD degree: see Arizona Law's Student Handbook
- MLIS degree: see the iSchool's M.A. Degree Requirements
- iSchool internships: see the iSchool's M.A. Internship Policies
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Law Library Fellowship: see the Daniel F. Cracchiolo Law Library's Fellows Program