Gravel packing apparatus having an integrated joint connection and method for use of same

A gravel packing apparatus comprises multiple joints each having substantially the same construction and each having a perforated outer tubular (150, 152) positioned around a sand control screen (154, 156) including a slurry passageway (190, 194) and a production pathway (188, 192) therebetween. First and second transition members (210, 204) are disposed at opposite ends of each joint. When two such joints are connected together, the second transition member (204) of one joint is proximate the first transition member (210) of the next joint such that a fluid traveling from the slurry passageway (190) of one joint to the slurry passageway (194) of the next joint travels from the exterior to the interior of the second transition member (204) of the one joint and from the interior to the exterior of the first transition member (210) of the next joint.