Frequently Asked Questions: MALACS/JD

In the joint degree pathway, a student can obtain both degrees in significantly less time than it would take to obtain both degrees if pursued consecutively. A student may earn both degrees in approximately four years as opposed to six.

Most students begin the MALACS program in the fall at the beginning of the academic year. However, students may also be admitted for the spring semester. The spring semester begins in January.

The JD starts in the fall at the beginning of the academic year.

Yes. The MALACS program follows the academic calendar of two semesters per year, plus summer. While students may attend classes in the summer, course options are limited. The semester for law school is approximately two weeks longer. For example, the 2009-2010 academic year for the law school began a week earlier in the fall and ended a week later in the winter; the law school spring semester began a week later than the MALACS program and ended nearly two weeks later. Additionally, summer courses for the law school are scheduled for the full duration of the summer, as opposed to the MALACS “Summer A” and “Summer B” options.

Applicants to the joint degree pathway must meet the entrance requirements established by each individual program. Candidates must indicate on the application their intention to pursue the joint degree option. Students deciding to pursue the joint degree pathway option after having been admitted to one program must indicate this intention on their second application.

Yes, you must be admitted to both programs separately before applying to become a joint degree pathway student.

First year law students must be enrolled full-time in the College of Law; so if a student is admitted to the joint MALACS/JD degree pathway, he/she cannot take any MALACS classes until the summer following the completion of the 1st year. Most students complete their first year of law school before applying to the joint pathway. However, law students must apply to the joint degree pathway during or prior to the semester in which they are expected to complete 63 credit hours in the JD program. MALACS students must apply during or prior to the semester in which they are expected to complete 15 credit hours in that program. Additionally, joint degree pathway students must register for a course or courses in their second degree during or prior to the second half of their first degree program.

No. Applications for a joint degree will not be accepted from candidates who have completed either degree. You cannot be awarded either degree until you have successfully completed all the requirements of both programs. Students who are unable to complete the second degree must at least satisfy all first degree program requirements to graduate.

Fifteen (15) credit hours from the law school curriculum will count toward the MALACS degree. Specifically, Eight (8) credit hours from the required Legal Skills and Values courses and 7 credit hours of courses selected from the designated international and comparative law curriculum may be transferred and applied to satisfy the MALACS depth or focus area. Nine (9) credit hours from the MALACS degree may be applied to satisfy the law school credit requirements, provided that the student completes the MALACS courses with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Courses for JD credit may be selected from any of the MALACS approved courses that have a focus on law, provided that they also satisfy the Law School curriculum. The student must obtain at least a B in each course. Students may not be enrolled in more than sixteen (16) credits per semester.

No. However, if the joint degree pathway candidate chooses the thesis exit option for the MALACS degree, the thesis must address a Latin American or Caribbean legal issue and the thesis committee must be chaired by a faculty member from the College of Law. The other two committee members may be selected from the list of LACC associated faculty. Candidates selecting a different exit option must follow the procedures outlined in the exit option guidelines available in the MALACS office or online.

Given the intensity of the program, first year law school students cannot have a job other than possible assistantship opportunities available through LACC. Upon completion of the first year of the JD, students are allowed to work, but no more than twenty hours per week.

An assistantship is a merit-based part-time employment opportunity made available to a student who is enrolled full-time in a graduate level program. An assistantship provides a student with an in-state tuition status and covers approximately 80% of the tuition. Additionally, it provides a small stipend each semester and the option of health insurance. The 80% tuition waiver only applies to credits taken in LACC; the tuition waiver cannot be applied to courses taken in the Law School.

Many students rely on some form of financial aid or scholarships to support the costs of a legal education. In conjunction with the University Financial Aid Office, the College of Law is committed to helping students obtain the funds needed to meet the associated costs. Students are encouraged to take a proactive approach toward financing law school and arrange an appointment with an Admissions and Financial Aid advisor. Contact Alma Miró, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, FIU College of Law at 305-348-8006 for further information. Visit the Law Admissions website or email lawadmit@fiu.edu for more information.