Dual Degree Program

Trinity law students have the opportunity to obtain a second degree from Trinity International University. By completing sixteen additional units of academic credit, students can obtain either the MA in Communication and Culture or the MA in Bioethics from Trinity Graduate School. This essentially allows our students not only to be equipped to engage the culture as lawyers but also as scholars with cutting-edge coursework in bioethics, human rights, public policy or apologetics.

MA in Communication and Culture

There has been a long and familiar relationship between theology and law. Traditionally, Christianity has held the area of law in high regard, and law has looked to Christianity for counsel in fulfillment of its mission. This classical biblical perspective maintains that every arena of human life is under God's rule and is to be conducted for His glory. Therefore, laws must reflect God's holy and just character. Otherwise, laws will prove unjust or unwise. Natural law theory has traditionally expressed this principle as lex injusta non est lex (unjust laws are not law).

The MA in Communication and Culture is designed to give students the tools they need to analyze critically and to constructively engage contemporary culture from a biblical perspective. For law students, this program challenges them to analyze the values and assumptions that shape present legal thought and to investigate the historical, philosophical, and sociological factors that underlie contemporary jurisprudence.

International Human Rights Emphasis

Underlying all human rights principles is the concept of mankind's inherent dignity. However, only the biblical perspective of men and women created in the image of God or imago Dei, can truly justify this notion of human dignity. The goal of this Masters program is to offer the highest level of academic training in the field of international human rights. Classes offered will benefit lawyers, law enforcement officials, human rights activists, and educators in understanding and applying human rights principles from a Christian perspective. Courses are offered at the Santa Ana, California, campus and at Strasbourg, France.

MA in Bioethics

The MA in Bioethics is designed to give students the ethical tools they need to address pressing contemporary biomedical and legal issues. The program seeks to provide students with a broad understanding of the changing face of health care, a deep appreciation for the wisdom of God in the face of bioethical challenges, and effective strategies for engaging the bioethical issues of our day.

The MA in Bioethics is particularly well suited to those with heavy professional or other responsibilities and the program provides opportunity for off-campus study and short-term intensive courses on the Deerfield campus.

For complete details on the Dual Degree Program, please review the graduate school catalog. It is important to note that there is a separate admissions process for the law school and the graduate school. To participate in the Dual Degree program, a student must be accepted for admission by both schools.

European Summer Study Program

A special benefit of study at Trinity Law School is the opportunity for participation in the International Human Rights Program in Strasbourg, France. Each summer, the program gathers more than 400 students from more than 80 countries around the world to teach and study international human rights law at this acclaimed Institute.