A joint degree enables graduating students to receive an M.A. in International Relations, African Studies, East Asian Studies or European and Russian Studies, and the equivalent degree from the Yale professional school i.e., J.D., M.B.A., M.F., M.E.M., or M.P.H. Each joint program leads to the simultaneous award of two graduate professional degrees and students can earn the two degrees simultaneously in less time than if they were pursued sequentially. The joint degrees provide an integrated education that combines two powerful programs and complements both, while protecting the integrity of each. While graduates of two-year M.A. programs do well upon graduation, it is interesting to note that joint degree graduates have been exceptionally successful in the job market.

With the exception of the joint M.A./J.D. program that requires four years, completion of all course requirements takes three years. Typically candidates spend the first year in one program and the second year in the partner program. During the third and final year of study, students register in one program each semester. Joint degree students are advised by a committee composed of the appropriate Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and a faculty member of the relevant professional school to guide them in this process.

Candidates must apply and be admitted separately to each school, i.e., each school makes its decision independently. It is highly recommended that students apply to and enter a joint degree program from the outset, though it is possible to apply to the second program once matriculated at Yale.

Depending on the M.A., the course work required for each joint degree does vary. Since the International Relations M.A. has the longest-standing tradition of joint degrees, its basic requirements are outlined below as an example:

Joint Degree Program in International Relations and . . .
To complete the I.R. M.A. portion of the joint degree, students must complete the requirements for the I.R. degree, though only a total of 12, not 16, courses are required. None of these courses may be from the partner school, though up to two of the core, or concentration, requirements may be met through courses at the partner school.

. . . Management (M.A./M.B.A)
To complete the M.B.A. component of the program, a student must fulfill all of SOM's normal requirements. The one-year of core curriculum study taken by all M.B.A. candidates in their first year may be taken in either the first or second year by the joint degree student. Joint degree candidates take only 13, not the usual 18 courses at SOM.

. . . Forestry and Environmental Studies (M.A./M.F. or M.A./M.E.M.)
For the Forestry and Environmental Studies component, students may elect from two of the FES Master's programs: the Master of Forestry and the Master of Environmental Management. Each FES Master's degree has its own specific requirements. Because of the individualized nature of the specialization requirements, all joint degree students must complete the three-week FES summer training program in technical skills, which cover plant identification, vegetation measurement and land measurement.

. . . Public Health (M.A./M.P.H.)
Exceptions for joint degree candidates include the reduction of required EPH credit hours from 60 to 45 credit hours. Joint degree candidates are not required to undertake the community project or internship, although they may choose them as electives.

. . . Law (M.A./J.D)
Candidates for the four-year M.A/J.D. joint degree will spend the first year in one of the two programs. During the second, third and fourth years, students generally divide their time between the Law School and the Graduate School. In some cases, a student may spend the entire third year in the Graduate School, in which case the fourth year will consist entirely of work in the Law School.

For details about the requirements for a specific joint degree, please contact the appropriate Director of Graduate Studies at The MacMillan Center, and at the relevant professional school. For application materials, you must request them from both the Admissions Office of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the relevant professional school.

Office of Graduate Admissions
Graduate School of Arts & Science
Yale University
P.O. Box 208323
New Haven, CT 06520-8323
203-432-2771
203-432-6724 fax
graduateschool/admissions@yale.edu
www.yale.edu/graduateschool/

International Relations
203-432-3418
203-432-9886 fax
international.relations@yale.edu
www.yale.edu/macmillan/iac/

Council on African Studies
203-432-9902
203-432-5963 fax
african.studies@yale.edu
www.yale.edu/macmillan/african

Council on East Asian Studies
203-432-3426
203-432-3430 fax
eastasian.studies@yale.edu
http://research.yale.edu/eastasianstudies/

Council on European Studies
203-432-3423
203-432-5963 fax
rees@yale.edu
www.yale.edu/macmillan/europeanstudies

Yale School of Management
P.O. Box 208200
New Haven, CT 06520-8200
203-432-5932
203-432-7004 fax
som.admissions@yale.edu
www.yale.edu/som

Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies
205 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
203-432-5100 or 800-825-0330
203-432-5942 fax
fesinfo@yale.edu
www.yale.edu/environment

Yale School of Public Health
P.O. Box 208034
New Haven, CT 06520-8034
203-785-2844
203-785-4845 fax
eph@yale.edu
www.info.med.yale.edu/eph

Yale Law School
P.O. Box 208329
New Haven, CT 06520-8329
203-432-4995
203-432-7093 fax
admissions.law@yale.edu
www.law.yale.edu