Juris Doctor and MA in Law (Legal History) in Cleveland United States | Case Western Reserve University

Explore the development of legal systems and their historical impact through Case Western Reserve University's combined Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in History program.

This interdisciplinary initiative, a collaboration between the School of Law and History Department, equips you with both legal expertise and historical research skills. Complete the program in either 3.5 academic years or three years plus two summer sessions, gaining versatile qualifications for careers in advocacy, law, or education.

The History Department provides M.A. and Ph.D. programs with specialized concentrations in Social Justice History (SJH) and the History of Science, Technology, Environment, & Medicine (STEM). Beyond these focused tracks, students can pursue a general history Ph.D. with customized specializations based on faculty expertise. The department also collaborates with the Law School on a combined J.D./M.A. degree option.

Our institution hosts one of Ohio's leading History Ph.D. programs. The proximity to the Western Reserve Historical Society creates unique opportunities for research on regional history, including Cleveland and Ohio-focused dissertations.

Nearly all History Ph.D. candidates at CWRU benefit from five-year funding packages covering full tuition and providing stipends without additional work obligations. With intentionally small cohort sizes, our seminars foster close faculty mentorship and personalized academic guidance. A CWRU history Ph.D. opens doors to careers in higher education, museum curation, public history, digital humanities, and secondary education.