A majority of law schools still do not offer formal programs of specialized study. By no means, however, should you regard such a school as resistant to specialization. It is simply that most schools prefer to keep specialization informal.

Joint Degree Programs
In addition to offering specialized areas of study, many law schools have instituted formal dual-degree programs. These schools, nearly all of which are directly affiliated with a parent institution, offer students the opportunity to pursue a J.D. while also working toward a Master's degree.

Although the J.D./M.B.A. combination is the most popular joint-degree sought, many universities offer a J.D. program combined with Masters' degrees in public policy, public administration, and social work, among others. Amidst an increasingly competitive legal market, dual degrees may make some students more marketable for certain positions come job time. Dual degree programs, however, should not be entered into lightly; they are indeed a lot of work.