King’s School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing and the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie are relaunching an integrated four-year program that will allow students to pursue advanced education in both journalism and law, preparing graduates to work at the intersection of media and public policy. The Master of Journalism (MJ) and Juris Doctor (JD) combined degree program links legal training with investigative reporting, offering students a distinctive academic pathway that bridges two professions critical to democracy.
Although joint journalism–law 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 Lisa Taylor, an Associate Professor of Journalism in King’s School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing and Executive Committee Member of the King’s Board of Governors. A Schulich Law alum, Taylor has been instrumental in the re-creation of this program, along with her counterpart at Dalhousie, Jodi Lazare, Schulich Law Associate Professor and Associate Dean, Academic.
The renewed JD/MJ program builds on an earlier version offered from 2016 to 2018. The timing couldn’t be better, says Taylor, citing the rise of misinformation and disinformation online and the weakening of journalism as a public institution. “Now 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.”
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. King’s 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’ responsibility to serve the community and the public good. “The Weldon Tradition of unselfish public service is central to what we do at the Schulich School of Law,” says Lazare. “Combining 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.
“There’s an awful lot of mutual interest at a time when supporting a free and democratic press is really important,” says Taylor. A grounding in law can strengthen investigative reporting, which, “when done well, is done with an eye to checking every last piece of the evidentiary chain.” She notes that almost every consequential journalism story intersects with law in some way.
Journalism training can also benefit law students by strengthening their ability to communicate with broader audiences. “The kinds of skills learned in the journalism program, combined with a legal education, will result in lawyers and legal professionals with the kind of unparalleled communication skills needed to impact public policy. In the era of 24-hour information, media literacy for lawyers is invaluable,” adds Lazare.
Beyond the formal degree, the renewed partnership may open the door to broader collaboration between the two schools, including exercises in which journalism students cover mock trials conducted by law students, as well as cross-listed electives examining media, courts and public policy.
The restoration of this program was championed by the Dal–King’s Relationship Task Force, established in 2024 by King’s President William Lahey and Dalhousie President Kim Brooks, both of whom are professors of law. The task force seeks to deepen the century-long relationship between King’s and Dalhousie 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: 2027/28 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 JD/MJ program page for information about the admission and application process.
