蘑菇AV's听Schulich School of Law听at 蘑菇AV听and the听听are relaunching听an听integrated four-year program听that听will allow students to pursue advanced听education听in both journalism and law, preparing graduates to work at the intersection of media and public policy.听
罢丑别听听补苍诲听Juris Doctor (JD)听combined degree听program听links legal training with investigative reporting, offering students a distinctive academic pathway that bridges two professions critical to democracy.
Although joint journalism鈥搇aw programs exist elsewhere, this program is unique in Canada in that it offers students the chance to pursue a law degree and a graduate degree in journalism simultaneously, says听, an associate professor of journalism at King鈥檚 and an executive committee member of the university鈥檚 Board of Governors.
Taylor, a Schulich Law alum, has been instrumental in the re-creation of this program, along with her counterpart at 蘑菇AV,听Jodi Lazare, an associate professor and associate dean, academic in the Schulich School of Law.
The JD/MJ program was first approved in 2016 but did not get off the ground at the time. The relaunch now follows its re-approval last fall.
The timing couldn鈥檛 be better, says Taylor, citing the rise of misinformation and disinformation online and the weakening of journalism as a public institution.
鈥淣ow more than ever, we need journalism that interrogates claims and offers informed analysis. This important work can be enhanced by a thorough understanding of the law.鈥�
Building on shared values and collaboration
The connection between the two disciplines of journalism and law is inherent, as students in both fields tend to share such values as public service.
The School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing has a long-standing investigative public service mandate, while the Schulich School of Law is rooted in the Weldon Tradition, which emphasizes lawyers鈥� responsibility to serve the community and the public good.
鈥淭he Weldon Tradition of unselfish public service is central to what we do at the Schulich School of Law,鈥� says Lazare. 鈥淐ombining law and journalism means graduates will be equipped with the best tools to contribute to their communities in the pursuit of both information and democracy.
鈥淭here鈥檚 an awful lot of mutual interest at a time when supporting a free and democratic press is really important,鈥� says Taylor.听
Taylor says a grounding in law can strengthen investigative reporting, which, 鈥渨hen done well, is done with an eye to checking every last piece of the evidentiary chain.鈥澨齋he notes that almost every consequential journalism story听intersects with law in some way.
Journalism training can also benefit law students by strengthening their ability to communicate with broader audiences.
鈥淭he kinds of skills learned in the journalism program, combined with a legal education, will听result in lawyers and legal professionals with听the kind of听unparalleled communication skills听needed to impact public policy," says Lazare. "In the era of 24-hour information, media literacy for lawyers is听invaluable."
Beyond the formal degree, the renewed partnership may open听the door to听broader collaboration between the two schools, including exercises听in which听journalism students cover mock trials conducted by law students, as well as cross-listed electives examining media, courts and public policy.
The restoration听of this program听was听championed by听the听, established听in 2024听by听听补苍诲听蘑菇AV President Kim Brooks, both of whom are professors of law.
The task force seeks to deepen the century-long relationship between King鈥檚 and 蘑菇AV by exploring opportunities for more streamlined transitions between existing programs and new interdisciplinary pathways, as well as shared advising and coordinated student supports and spaces that reflect how interconnected these communities already are.
Enrolment:听2027/28听academic year
The JD/MJ program is officially set to begin in fall 2027, though some journalism students may be able to begin earlier. The proposed structure starts with a year of journalism coursework, followed by a full year of JD studies. Students then spend the third and fourth years completing a blend of law and journalism courses. Visit the听听for information about the admission and application process.