This curriculum prepares Law School students for government, political, and nonprofit legal positions. The program provides a solid theoretical framework and grounding in policy analysis, administration, and management.
Snapshot: Timing & Credits Saved
Begin Taking Graduate Courses
2nd year
Shortest Completion Time
8 semesters
J.D. Credits Required
82
Graduate PGM Credits Required
30
Number of Credits Saved
24 (6 J.D., 18 M.P.A.)
This joint program allows students to obtain both J.D. and M.P.A. degrees in 4 years or less - less time than obtaining the degrees separately. The first year is spent in the Law School and years two through four are spent taking both Law and M.P.A. courses.
Courses and Credits
On the J.D. side, students must complete 82 credits in the Law School and 6 credits will be double-counted from the M.P.A courses to complete the total of 88 JD credits. On the M.P.A side, students must complete 30 credits in the Political Science Department including a 3-credit internship, and 18 credits will be double-counted from the J.D. coursework to complete the total of 48 credits. Students will be required to complete a total of 112 credits for both degrees.
J.D. Course Requirements
LAW105 Federal Income Tax, 4 credits
Select 6 credits from the list of courses:
LAW108 Antitrust: 3 credits LAW213 Environmental Law: 3 credits LAW764 Federal and State Arbitration: 2 credits LAW209 Federal Courts: 3 credits LAW233 Florida Constitutional Law: 3 credits LAW276 Health Care and the Constitution: 3 credits LAW229 Housing Discrimination: 3 credits LAW335 Immigration Law: 3 credits LAW651 Public Interest Law and Leadership Seminar: 2 credits LAW782 Wage theft and Immigrant Worker's Rights Workshop: 2 credits LAW767 Counsel to College: Legal Practice and Higher Education: 1 credit LAW260 Environmental Litigation & Policy: 2 credits LAW136 Family Law: 3 credits LAW383 Immigration, Ethnicity and Public Policy: 3 credits LAW315 Jurisprudence: 3 credits LAW205 Labor Law: 3 credits LAW637 Philosophy of Law Seminar: Authority and the Duty to Obey the Law: 2 credits LAW689 Procedure: Legislative & Judicial Seminar: 2 credits LAW607 Public Education: Access & Equity Seminar: 2 credits LAW214 State and Local Government: 3 credits LAW957 Taxation of Exempt Organizations,: 2 credits LAW646 Voting Rights and Election Law Seminar: 2 credits
M.P.A. Course Requirements
(Each 3 credits may vary from year to year )**
POL 501 Budget and Financial Management and Administration
POL 510 Political Analysis
POL 522 Introduction to Graduate Public Administration
POL 551 Productivity Improvement in the Public and Non-profit Sectors
POL 606 Seminar in Administration
POL 646 Public Policy and Administration
POL 647 Public Personnel Policies
POL656 Public Service Internship
POL 671 Political Environment of Business
Select 3 credits from the list of courses: (each 3 credits)**
POL 524 Non-Profit Organizations: Law, Policy, and Management
POL 529 Conducting U.S. Elections
POL 545 Environmental Policymaking
POL 553 Environmental Movement: Groups, Beliefs and Values
POL 555 Total Quality Public Service Management
POL 556 Political Ethics
POL 557 Ethical Issues in Government, Business and Nonprofit Sectors
POL 558 From Electronic Government to Digital Governance
POL 599 Introduction to Game Theory
POL 599 Public Management Process
**Note: Undergraduate POL majors who enroll in the joint JD/MPA program may have taken one or more of the POL 500-level courses listed above. They would still need to complete 30 additional credits in graduate MPA courses, but they would not be required to repeat courses previously taken.
Hear From a Student: Why a J.D./M.P.A.?
Brendan Corrigan discusses his experience in our joint degree program in law and public administration and how this master's complements a law degree. He also expands on how someone can use these combined degrees for career choices.
Admissions
To be admitted to this program, students must apply separately to both programs. Students may apply to the MPA program prior to beginning Law School or anytime during the first or second year of Law School. Students may begin the MPA program in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.
For admission to the M.P.A. program, students must complete an MPA application. If they apply before the end of their first year in Law School, they will not need to take the GRE exam. Their LSAT score will be used instead of the GRE. For more details on the M.P.A. program, visit the M.P.A. website.
Acceptance by one program does not in any way indicate or guarantee acceptance by the other degree program.
Tuition for J.D. courses will be paid to the Law School. Tuition for the M.P.A courses will be paid to the College of Arts and Sciences. Law School scholarships may only be used towards tuition for Law School courses.
For More Information
J.D. Program Terrell E. West II Associate Registrar Office of the Law Registrar Phone: 305-284-2685 Email: twest@law.miami.edu
M.P.A. Program Dr. Maryann Tobin Assistant Dean for Professional Education University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences Phone: 305-284-3737 Email: met@miami.edu
