JD/MS in Computer Science Technology


Juris Doctorate/Master of Science 2023 through2024

Computer Science Technology


The Juris Doctor/Master of Science in Computer Science Technology is a joint program between the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media and the College of Law. This is a STEM-designated program.

The primary goal of the JD/MS joint degree is to prepare students for successful legal and related careers in industry, government, and other institutions that develop innovations, engage in electronic commerce, employ information technologies, and manage and protect information and data. Graduates who have a substantive understanding of legal and technological issues will have a substantial advantage in obtaining and flourishing in such positions. Graduates with the joint degree will be better prepared to be drafters, negotiators, and litigators with regard to the licensing and protection of tech IP, as well as cybersecurity and privacy compliance.

The joint JD/MS program allows students to obtain dual degrees in both law and computer science fields with only one additional year of study beyond the regular JD program and with a minimum of additional expense. The program is designed for all students who wish to deepen their technical expertise while also obtaining a law degree.

Some of the students completing the joint JD/MS degree will seek to become members of the patent bar. There are also a large number of opportunities (including as patent litigators and licensors) for graduates who either lack the scientific or technical background required to qualify for the patent bar exam or lack the desire to practice patent law. (Membership in the patent bar is required only to file and prosecute patent applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office; it is not a general requirement for patent law practice.) The MS in Computer Science does not itself provide a degree that currently qualifies students to take the patent bar exam, but may provide relevant course work toward fulfilling eligibility requirements. (Applicants are advised to consult the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s General Requirements Bulletin.)

Characteristics of the joint JD/MS program include:

  • It is designed to provide a curriculum for students who wish to pursue legal studies in conjunction with advanced studies in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, E-Commerce Technology, Information Systems, and Network Engineering and Security. Where particular technical competencies are desired, a focused program of instruction can be provided in consultation with CDM faculty.
  • It offers a variety of curriculum options encompassing key technological topics along with other legal courses that prepare the graduate for a wide range of high technology and related legal work.

Learn more about admission to this program.

Curriculum Requirements

Full-time students must complete the regular first year JD program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 before being admitted to the Joint Degree. Part-time students must complete at least three law semesters with a minimum GPA of 3.0 before being admitted to the Joint Degree. The second and third years provide some flexibility to tailor a student’s program. For example, students might take three law courses in the Fall Semester and two law courses in the Spring Semester, while taking one CDM course in the Fall Quarter, two CDM courses in the Winter Quarter, and two CDM courses in the Spring Quarter. The fourth year might consist of three law courses in the Fall Semester, one CDM course in the Fall Quarter, three CDM courses in the Winter Quarter, and three CDM courses in the Spring Quarter.

This schedule allows for completion of the JD as well as completion of 14 CDM courses (the MS program plus four prerequisite courses) in four years. It is possible that, because of introductory coursework, the program may take some students more than four years. Since each student will require a different number of CDM introductory courses and each student will select courses based on semester/quarter availability, any particular curriculum might be different from the above-described curriculum. Students are encouraged to select courses with the assistance of the program advisors at both the College of Law and CDM.

CDM Requirements for an MS Degree

For the CDM portion of the joint degree, students may major in:

Each program listed above follows the requirements as listed on the page for that major. These requirements are divided into phases. Upon completion of the major requirements, each student will move to the Elective Phase as described below.

Students with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will graduate from CDM with distinction.

College of Law Certificate Programs: In addition to the Joint Degree, students may obtain one of the Certificates offered by the College of Law, providing that they have met the requirements for the Certificate.

For DePaul's policy on repeat graduate courses and a complete list of academic policies see the DePaul Graduate Handbook in the Course Catalog.

Elective Phase

Students must complete 12 additional graduate quarter hours fulfilled by courses from the IP Certificate. These courses will also be counted toward the JD degree.

Degree Requirements

The following rules apply to this joint degree:

  • Students may substitute up to 16 CDM credit hours for up to 10 of the 86 required law semester hours, reducing their law course requirements to 76 semester hours. However, students cannot substitute CDM credit hours for required courses in the College of Law, such as Legal Profession or Advanced Writing Requirement courses.
  • Only CDM courses taken after enrollment in the College of Law may be substituted for law courses.
  • Students may substitute up to 8 law semester hours for up to 3 CDM master's degree courses, reducing their CDM course requirements to 10 courses plus any necessary introductory courses.
  • Students must graduate from both schools on the same date, in the same semester/quarter, and in the same year. Double counting of credit hours occurs only after the student concurrently completes both degree programs. Students should consult with the joint degree advisors regarding any questions about coordinating the completion of the two degrees.
  • Students must adhere to CDM introductory course grade requirements as specified for their CDM major.
  • Students must also adhere to CDM grade and GPA requirements as specified for their CDM major in all CDM courses beyond the introductory courses.
  • CDM requires that students must maintain a GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their joint degrees.

Graduation Information

The joint degree candidate must complete all CDM requirements in November at the end of the fall quarter and all law requirements in December at the end of the autumn semester to be eligible for a December degree award. Students who plan to graduate in May must complete their CDM coursework in March by the end of the winter quarter and their law requirements in May to be eligible for a May degree award. If not, they will have to graduate in July and cannot be certified for admission to the Bar in July.