OHIO Seniors: Take Spring Graduate Courses for Graduate Credit for M.A. in Law, Justice & Culture

The M.A. in Law, Justice & Culture focuses on critical analysis of law in relation to society, culture, politics and power.

This master’s degree is designed for anyone who deals with law academically or professionally—including individuals in careers that deal with law, as well as those considering law school or Ph.D. programs.

The Law, Justice & Culture degree:

• Can be completed in person on campus or entirely online.
• Offers research-driven teaching by faculty with national and global expertise in their fields.
• Strengthens skills in analytical and conceptual thinking, legal and scholarly research and writing, ethical and public interest concerns, public advocacy, and active engagement with the challenges of law and justice in the 21st century.

Learn more about recent graduates from the M.A. program in Law, Justice & Culture.

Why Study Law and Society?

“Law and society is a vibrant interdisciplinary field,” says Duschinski, Associate Professor of Anthropology and director of the master’s program.

“As a law and society degree, the new M.A. program draws on the analytic, interpretive, and imaginative tools of the liberal arts to shed light on the moral and political elements on law, and its meaning and significance in our everyday lives,” she says.

“This is important training for anyone who deals with law academically or professionally – including people who are in careers that deal with law, as well as those who are considering law school or Ph.D. programs.”

The M.A. program includes core courses focusing on the theoretical traditions of law and society scholarship and the deep integration of theory and methods in this interdisciplinary field, and well as elective courses examining law from different disciplinary perspectives.

The program also offers an annual nine-day study abroad program focusing on human rights, law and justice in post-conflict Northern Ireland. This study abroad experience includes interactions with former combatants, human rights lawyers, ex-political prisoners, victims associations, and restorative justice practitioners, as well as visits to museums, former prisons, and non-governmental organizations.

• Learn more about the CLJC study abroad program on Human Rights, Law and Justice in Northern Ireland. (All spring break study abroad programs have been cancelled for spring 2021. We anticipate that the Northern Ireland program will resume in spring 2022.)

The program emphasizes research-driven teaching and learning. All students must carry out graduate-level independent research by completing either a master’s thesis or a master’s research essay, with the option of a capstone research course.

The program also provides professional training in academic presentation and communication through its curricular and extra-curricular components.

The degree is housed within Ohio University’s Center for Law, Justice & Culture, an interdisciplinary teaching and research center focusing on law in relation to the social and political challenges of the 21st century.

Vibrant Center for Law, Justic & Culture

“The Center for Law, Justice & Culture is an energetic community of students and faculty who are deeply committed to the study of law’s role in our contemporary world. We coordinate sociolegal studies at Ohio University,” says Duschinski.

The center supports academic training in law and society through interdisciplinary coursework and research as well as extra-curricular academic and professional development opportunities, including pre-law advising and programming.

It brings together perspectives from African American studies, anthropology, criminology, history, political science, sociology, and other related fields.

The center’s faculty are leading researchers with national and global expertise on diverse forms of law in contemporary, historical, and comparative contexts.

“We carry out empirical research on legal actors and institutions, rights claims and struggles for justice, the relationship between social movements and legal mobilizations, alternative jurisdictional and legal orders, and law’s coercive power and emancipatory potential,” says Duschinski.

• Learn more about the faculty of the Center for Law, Justice & Culture.

Duschinski serves as the academic adviser for students in the M.A. program.

CLJC Pre-Law Advisor, Larry Hayman, provides dedicated advising on preparing for law school, applying to law school, and pursing law-related careers.

Benefits of the M.A. in Law, Justice & Culture

Individuals who have recently completed their undergraduate training with little professional experience may develop their academic and professional training by earning the M.A. in Law, Justice & Culture. The degree is ideal for individuals considering a J.D. or Ph.D. degree.

For recent college graduates, the on-campus master’s degree option provides one year of graduate-level training in sociolegal theory, methods, research, and writing prior to applying to law school, doctoral programs, or starting their career.

The online program is especially beneficial for individuals working outside of the legal profession—but in fields affected by the legal system—who wish to develop greater understanding of law and justice issues for professional enhancement. This includes career professionals in areas such as journalism, nonprofits, community organizing, advocacy, criminal justice, juvenile justice, social work, court administration, national security, probation and law enforcement, and regulatory agencies.

For individuals working inside of the legal profession, including those with a J.D., the program strengthens skills in thinking and writing about complex social issues, advocating on social justice issues in more diverse ways, and broadening the applicability and marketability of their legal knowledge and experience beyond the legal field.

Individuals who have completed the J.D. and pursued legal careers may seek opportunities to further their educational training for career transitions as well as professional satisfaction. This includes individuals wishing to enter public policy, intelligence and security, advocacy and organizing, higher education, human resources, community development, and other alternative careers. It also includes professionals in career transition, such as those considering second career options.