Law and African-American Studies


A four-year program offered by UCLA Law and UCLA’s Department of African-American Studies, leading to a J.D. and an M.A. in African-American Studies.

The first program of its kind in the country, UCLA’s joint-degree program in Law & African-American Studies equips students to practice law with a fuller understanding of its intersections with the historical, social and cultural dimensions of the African-American experience, and to provide social and political leadership within or for the black community. The program requires satisfactory completion of all requirements of the Juris Doctor degree, including eighty-seven (87) semester units of mandatory first-year, Professional Responsibility and upper-division elective courses; and satisfactory completion of all requirements of the Master's degree in African-American Studies, including required coursework, written thesis and fulfillment of a foreign language requirement.

More Info About the M.A. Requirement

For more information about the African-American Studies portion of the Joint Degree Program, contact the UCLA Department of African-American Studies at 310.825.7403 or staff@afam.ucla.edu.

Trial Advocacy

Alumnus Boosts Trial Advocacy Program to New Heights

With generous gifts and a profound vision, eminent litigator A. Barry Cappello ’65 sows the seeds of success for UCLA Law’s next generation of courtroom advocates.

Explore More
News
See All
Mar 11, 2025

Blake Emerson earns ALI’s Early Career Scholars Medal

Read More
Mar 10, 2025

Ann Carlson is quoted by Rolling Stone about how the Trump administration threatens efforts to curb climate change

Read More