Any value in a JD/MA Middle Eastern Studies dual degree? Forum

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jj821

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Any value in a JD/MA Middle Eastern Studies dual degree?

Post by jj821 » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:24 pm

I don't really post on TLS too often, but I need some advice on what value, if any, a JD/MA Middle Eastern Studies would have down the line, post-law school. I know I want to do private practice international law, specifically dealing with the Middle East, but I just don't know if I could get away with doing this with just a JD or if the MA will add anything.
Some background info:
I speak Arabic and Hebrew fluently, but I can't read or write in Arabic which I figured I could learn in grad school, but again, I don't know how valuable this would be.
If anyone knows of anyone who has done this, has done something like this, or just has any opinion, I'd appreciate all comments.

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Grizz

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Re: Any value in a JD/MA Middle Eastern Studies dual degree?

Post by Grizz » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:38 pm

Considering that "international law" generally doesn't exist, probably not.

http://www.annaivey.com/iveyfiles/2008/ ... e_the_hype

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nealric

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Re: Any value in a JD/MA Middle Eastern Studies dual degree?

Post by nealric » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:00 pm

No.

flow123

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Re: Any value in a JD/MA Middle Eastern Studies dual degree?

Post by flow123 » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:02 pm

Private international law: how individuals and corporations can carry on transactions within different and sometimes conflicting legal systems.

There is such a thing as international law and there are other sources of reference out there besides Anna Ivey.

I would look for a specific job you might be interested in and see what qualifications are required.

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worldtraveler

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Re: Any value in a JD/MA Middle Eastern Studies dual degree?

Post by worldtraveler » Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:58 pm

I'm doing a very similar dual degree.

For what you want to do, it's probably not worth it. For languages, find a school which would allow you to take a language class and count it for credit 2L and 3L year. Many of them will, but you need to go to a school that offers Arabic and is good about letting you take things outside the law school.

Had you said you want an NGO position in the Middle East, or want to work for the UN, then the degree would have value. For a firm, probably not so much.

In all likelihood, you wouldn't get a job in this field straight out of law school, but it is possible. Try and talk to schools about whether firms with branches in the Middle East do OCI at the school.

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im_blue

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Re: Any value in a JD/MA Middle Eastern Studies dual degree?

Post by im_blue » Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:42 pm

maybe, if you can do this in 3 years without any additional time or tuition

Aab1994

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Re: Any value in a JD/MA Middle Eastern Studies dual degree?

Post by Aab1994 » Sat Jun 16, 2018 12:54 pm

Just found this post, 8 years after its original post date. Did you ever wind up doing a dual degree program? Or practice the kind of law/consulting you mentioned?

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