The University of Miami School of Law and the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science offer a joint degree program in law and marine ecosystems and society. Upon completion of this program, a student earns the Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law and aMaster of Professional Science in Marine Ecosystems and Society from the Rosenstiel School, ranked as one of the top five geoscience institutions in the United States.
Choose Your Area of Focus
The M.P.S. degree allows students to focus their course work in one of five areas: (if a student has an interest in an MPS track not listed below, the student should contact the Rosenstiel School to determine if the specific track is an option for the student).
Aquaculture Track: Focus on the environmental, technological, social, economic, legal and political aspects of sustainable aquaculture.
Coastal Zone Management Track: Gain exposure to the legal and governance frameworks associated with the sustainability of near-shore waters. These areas present unique challenges to resource managers in the shipping, tourism, development, fisheries, aquaculture and oil industry.
Marine Conservation Track: Design a curriculum around personal career goals while focusing on innovative solutions to current marine ecosystem threats. This track combines science, law, economics, and policy to foster the conservation of marine ecosystems.
Climate and Society: This degree track within the Professional Master Program emphasizes the relationship between weather, climate and societal impacts.
Admissions
Students who apply for the joint J.D./M.P.S. program must apply to both the School of Law and to Rosenstiel School, Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society. Prospective students must achieve a qualifying score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and on the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission to the respective schools. An applicant must notify both schools that he or she is applying for the joint J.D./M.P.S. program and, in order to remain in the joint program, must meet the minimum standards of both schools. (It is possible to have the GRE requirement waived.)
Snapshot: Timing & Credits Saved
Begin taking graduate courses:
Second Year
Shortest Completion Time:
6 semesters + 1 summer
J.D. Credits required:
82
Graduate PGM Credits Required:
24
Number of Credits saved:
12 (6 J.D., 6 M.P.S.)
Curriculum
The student's work in the joint degree program, whether connected with a course, seminar or individual research project at the School of Law or the Rosenstiel School, must result in a substantial research project of publishable quality in marine law or policy or related scientific issues. Students may use their required upper-class research paper at the School of Law to fulfill this requirement.
Requirements
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
A student must complete at least 12 credits from among the following courses or seminars:
Administrative Law
Admiralty
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Climate Change Law & Policy
Climate Change and Human Rights
Coastal Law
Conflict of Laws
Conservation, Tourism and Development
Environmental Justice Clinic
Environmental Law
Environmental Planning and the Environmental Impact Statement
International Environmental Law
Law of the Sea
Marine Ecology and the Law
Marine Insurance
Individual research in related fields (3 credits maximum)
Seminars in related fields
M.P.S.
A student must complete 24 credits of courses in marine affairs from among the following:
Advanced Study in Marine Affairs (3 credits maximum)
Aquaculture Management (3 credits)
Coastal Zone Management (3 credits)
Economics of Natural Resources (3 credits)
Environmental Planning and Environmental Impact Statement (3 credits)
Fieldwork in Coastal Cultures (3 credits)
Fisheries Economics (3 credits)
Geographical Information Systems (3 credits)
Marine Culture Resource Management (3 credits)
Ocean Policy (3 credits)
Political Ecology of Marine Resources (3 credits)
Other approved courses at the Rosenstiel School such as the RSMAS core courses
Courses will be updated from time to time and students should consult with a faculty advisor, or other designated person, prior to registering for any course not specifically listed above, or to ensure a course not listed will be credited toward this degree. Rosenstiel School, Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society makes no representation that all of the above courses will be available to any given student at all times during the course of his or her studies.
For More Information
J.D. Program Terrell E. West II Associate Registrar Office of the Law Registrar Email: twest@law.miami.edu
