The combined Political Science/JD program is administered on behalf of the Faculty of Social Science and the Faculty of Law by the two Program Directors, one of whom is appointed by the Department of Political Science and the other by the Faculty of Law. The combined program allows students to complete both the JD and BA Honors Specialization – Political Science degrees in six academic years instead of the seven years required if the degrees were taken separately.
Admission to the Combined Program
Applicants to the combined program must apply to the Faculty of Law following their admission in Honors Specialization in Political Science and in advance of the application deadline established by the Faculty. To be considered for admission to the combined program, students must: (i) have completed first year University with an overall minimum average of 80% and at least 80% in Political Science 1020E; (ii) have completed second year (first year Honors Specialization Political Science) with an overall minimum average of 80% and a minimum of 80% in Political Science 2230E; (iii) meet the minimum LSAT requirements established by the Faculty of Law; and (iv) be admitted to the Faculty of Law. Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee a position in the combined program.
Structure of the Program
In Year One of the program students are registered in one of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Science, or Social Science. In Years Two and Three, they are registered in the Faculty of Social Science. In Years Four, Five and Six, students are registered in the combined program. In Year Four, students will take Law courses only. In Years Five and Six, students will take a combination of approved Political Science and Law courses. Upon completion of the combined program, students will receive both a BA in Honors Specialization Political Science and a JD.
Year One
First-year program in Arts and Humanities, Science, or Social Science, including Political Science 1020E (Introduction to Political Science).
Years Two and Three
Students must take:
Political Science 2237E and 2230E in Year Two.
1.0 course from: Political Science 2231E or Political Science 2245E.
1.0 Political Science designated essay courses (E, F or G) 2200 level or above.
Year Four
Students must take first-year Law. No courses outside of Law may be taken during this year.
Years Five and Six
Students will take, as approved, required and elective courses from both the Faculty of Law and the Department of Political Science. Students must take:
- the two compulsory upper-year Law courses;
- at least three Law core-group courses;
- additional Law courses totaling at least 25 credit hours, of which one course must have an essay requirement of at least two credit weights;
- 0.5 course: Political
Science 3324F/G
- 3.5 Political
Science designated essay courses (E, F or G), at the 2200 level or
above.
- 1.0 Political
Science designated essay courses (E, F or G), at the 3000 level or
above.
- 1.0 Political
Science designated essay courses (E, F or G), at the 4000 level.
Progression Requirements
Once admitted to the combined program, students must meet the regular progression requirements of the Department of Political Science and the Faculty of Law. Further, in each of Years Four, Five and Six, students must obtain a B average in their Law courses and a 75% average in their Political Science courses.
A student who fails to meet the combined program progression standards in any year must withdraw from the combined program. However, if that student has met the progression standards of either the Political Science or JD program, he or she will be allowed to proceed to the next year of that program. If that student has satisfied the progression standards of both individual programs, he or she may continue in either program and may petition the Faculty whose program was not selected for permission to complete that program at a later date.
A student who is required to withdraw from the combined program and continues with either or both of the individual programs must complete all the degree requirements of the individual program or programs in order to graduate from that program or those programs.
Exchange Programs
Students enrolled in the combined program may be eligible in Years Five or Six for an exchange program offered only through the Faculty of Law. This will require advanced planning with both Faculties.
Dean's Honor List
Students are considered for the Dean's Honor List in their home faculty in Years One, Two and Three. In Year Four, they are considered for the Dean's Honor List in the Faculty of Law. A student who takes Law courses totaling at least 12 credit hours in each of Years Five and Six of the program is considered for the Dean's Honor List in the Faculty of Law in each of those years on the basis of those courses. A student is also considered for the Dean's Honor List in the Faculty of Social Science on the basis of courses taken in each of those years.
Graduation with Distinction
Eligibility to graduate with distinction for each degree is determined by each Faculty.
Gold Medal
Students in the combined program are eligible to be considered for the Gold Medal in either or both degree programs, along with other eligible graduating students in those programs, as determined by the requirements in each Faculty.
Fees
Tuition fees for the combined programs are set by the University. Contact the Office of the Registrar, Western Student Services building, RM 1120, 519-661-2100, or at www.registrar.uwo.ca for details.
FACULTIES 