Juris Doctor and Master of Divinity in Malibu United States | Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University's core mission focuses on empowering individuals for purposeful living, dedicated service, and effective leadership. To achieve this goal, the Caruso School of Law and Seaver College's Religion and Philosophy Division have joined forces to offer students integrated legal and theological education through an interdisciplinary approach. This unique dual-degree initiative in law and religion combines the strengths of two university departments to deliver exceptional professional preparation in both disciplines. By exploring the numerous intersections, analytical approaches, and shared themes between legal and religious studies, the program enables students to create meaningful connections between these fields, allowing each to enhance and inform the other.

A significant advantage of this program is its accelerated timeline - students can earn both a Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Divinity (MDiv) in just five years instead of the typical six years required for separate degrees. As one of only a few such programs nationwide, it offers students the rare opportunity to delve deeply into theological studies while simultaneously cultivating comprehensive insights into legal systems, their societal impacts, and their inherent boundaries.