In this specialization, students not only learn the essentials of law, but also the common practices of the music business – essential skills for becoming a successful attorney in the music industry.
Through this joint program, students can complete both degrees in less time (3 to 4 years) while studying at a top law school and one of the best music schools in the country. And, as one of the four major music cities in the U.S. and as the music center for the Latin American Divisions of all major music companies, Miami offers exceptional internship and work opportunities.
Snapshot: Timing & Credits Saved
Begin Taking Graduate Courses
2nd year
Shortest Completion Time
6 semesters + 2 summers
J.D. Credits Required
82
Graduate PGM Credits Required
21
Number of Credits Saved
15 (6 J.D., 9 M.A.)
Admissions
Applicants may apply before they begin the J.D. program OR they may apply during their first or second year of Law School. (Students must be accepted to the J.D. program before they are eligible for acceptance into the J.D./M.A. program.)
Students should let Professor Serona Elton know that they are applying to the M.A. program.
Students who apply to the joint degree program are giving permission for the M.A. program admissions staff and faculty to review their complete J.D. application.
Students already enrolled in the M.A. program are not eligible to apply to the joint program.
All the requirements of the J.D. and M.A. programs must be fulfilled.
Curriculum
Students will complete the first-year law school curriculum in its entirety before taking any M.A. courses.
All other J.D. requirements must be met. Six credits will be satisfied by two M.A. courses. These courses must be completed before the J.D. degree will be conferred.
Twenty-one credits of M.A. courses are required and cover topics such as music copyright law, music industry agreement, music publishing and licensing, recorded music operations, marketing and promotion, and others. More information about courses in the M.A. curriculum can be found in theUM Academic Bulletin.
Nine School of Law credits will be applied to the M.A. degree in the areas of intellectual property, business, and tax law topics. The M.A. degree will not be conferred until these nine credits are completed.
Student are encouraged to fashion a balanced upper-class law school curriculum which prepares them to provide legal services to clients in the business and entertainment industries including specific offering regarding arts and entertainment law, as well as more general offerings in domestic and international aspects of fields such as antitrust, business associations, commercial law, intellectual property, tax and torts.
If a student in the joint program wants to take music elective course (e.g., Musicology, Psychology of Music, Audio for Producers, etc.) arrangements will be made to accommodate the request.
Students are able to complete the joint degree program within three years if summer courses are taken. Students may also choose to complete the program within three and ½ years or four years.
For More Information
J.D. Program Terrell E. West II Associate Registrar Office of the Law Registrar Phone: 305-284-2685 Email: twest@law.miami.edu
M.A. Program Serona Elton, Esq. Professor Director, Music Industry Program Associate Dean of Administration University of Miami, Frost School of Music Phone: 305-284-6916 Email: selton@miami.edu
