新墨西哥大学

The Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) in Latin American Studies Dual Degree Program is jointly administered by the Dean of the School of Law and the Director of Academic Programs for Latin American Studies. The purpose of this program is to prepare legal professionals for work in Latin America or with Hispanic populations in the United States. By combining legal training with Latin American language and area studies, the program enables students to develop professional skills directly applicable to Latin American nations and populations. In addition, the student earns two degrees in less time and at less expense than would be required if each were pursued separately.

• 80 credit hours of Law coursework (that must include 9 credit hours of international law),
• 24 credit hours of Latin American Studies coursework, with a minimum of 9 credit hours in each of two concentrations, and
• 3 credit hour bridge course covering subject matter linking Law and Latin American Studies.

The first-year Law curriculum consists of required courses that emphasize methods of legal reasoning, policy analysis, and the analysis of legal institutions. During their second and third years, students can choose from approximately 100 elective courses in developing individualized programs suited to their career goals.

To meet the exit requirements for the Latin American Studies component, students must 1) sit for the comprehensive examinations in both concentrations. The examinations are administered by a Committee on Studies composed of two faculty members from each concentration; or 2) sit for a comprehensive examination in one concentration and complete an article-length professional paper (jointly supervised by one member of the Law faculty and one non-Law Latin American-specialized faculty member) in the student’s other area of concentration.

Competency in Spanish or Portuguese is required. Entrance requirements must be met for both programs; applications should be submitted simultaneously. All students follow Plan II (non-thesis). Students interested in the program should consult the advisors in the School of Law and in Latin American Studies.