The University of Miami School of Law, in partnership with the Business School, offers a joint JD/MS in Accounting and the Law.
Who Should Consider this Joint Degree?
This program is designed for JD students interested in obtaining a master's in accountancy. These students may be interested in working for a public accounting firm or in the financial industry; or financial/legal departments within a corporation. Some will be interested in taking the CPA exam, while others may not since they plan to practice law and use the MS as an additional credential.
Snapshot: Timing & Credits Saved
Begin taking graduate courses: Second Year
Shortest Completion Time: 6 semesters + 1 summer
JD Credits required: 82
Graduate MS Credits Required: 24
Number of Credits saved: 12 (6 JD, 6 MS)
This joint program allows students to obtain both JD and MS degrees in 3 or 3 ½ years – less time than obtaining the degrees separately. The first year is spent in the Law School and years two, three, and four (if needed) are spent taking both Law and MS courses.
Courses and Credits
On the JD side, students must complete 82 credits in the law school and 6 credits will be double-counted from the MS courses to complete the total of 88 credits. On the MS side, students must complete 24 credits in graduate accounting courses, and 6 credits will be double-counted from the JD coursework to complete a total of 30 credits. Students will be required to complete a total of 106 credits for both degrees.
Juris Doctor (JD) Course Requirements
- During the first year of the joint program, students will be required to attend the JD program full-time.
- Students who begin in the JD program will be able to take courses in the MS program beginning the fall of their 2L year.
- Students must complete all JD requirements as defined by their program.
- Students may take summer law courses which may reduce the length of the joint degree program by up to a semester.
- Students may not take more than 16 credits/semester across both programs (17 credits/semester may be taken if they have a 3.0 law school G.P.A. or receive permission from the Vice Dean, Academic Affairs, School of Law).
- In meeting the skills required for the JD degree, students in this joint degree program should consider the following options: Investor rights clinic, Negotiation Skills, Introduction to the Deal, or the Startup Clinic.
- There are a specific set of required and elective law school courses that must be completed by students in this joint degree program (see below).
MS in Accountancy Course Requirements
- There are a set of prerequisites for the classes offered in the MS program. Students who complete their undergraduate degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited institution will (with 6 credits of tax courses offered by an Accounting department) normally meet the prerequisites for the MS program. If not, they will be required to take the prerequisites in the Accounting Summer Intensive Program at the Business School.
- Students must maintain a 3.0 or better GPA in their MS-required courses in order to receive the MS degree.
- There are a specific set of required and elective business school accounting courses that must be completed by students in this joint degree program (see below).
Law School Specific Course Requirements
Required:
- Federal Income Tax
- Business Associations
Electives (at least 6 credits from the following list):
- Corporate Tax or Taxation of Business Entities (not an option if taken at the Business School)
- Taxation of Business Entities
- Bankruptcy
- Banking Law
- International Finance
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Securities Regulation
- Securities Fraud Investigations: Ponzi Schemes, Stock Manipulations, and Insider Trading
- Commercial Law
- Partnership Tax
Note: Since all JD students are permitted to take up to 6 credits of non-law graduate-level courses, the Law School will apply 6 credits of the MS courses to the JD for conferral of the JD degree.
MS Specific Course Requirements
Required: MS Assurance Track
- ACC 610 Financial Reporting Research
- ACC 622/522 Advanced Issues in Auditing
- ACC 628 Introduction to Accounting Analytics
- ACC 630/530 International Financial Reporting Standards
- ACC 648 Financial Reporting Implications of Income Taxes
- ACC 672/572 Advanced Financial Analysis
- BUS 610 Critical Thinking and Persuasion for Business
Required: MS Corporate Track
- ACC 606 Internal Auditing
- ACC 610 Financial Reporting Research
- ACC 628 Introduction to Accounting Analytics
- ACC 630/530 International Financial Reporting Standards (1 credit)
- ACC 648 Financial Reporting Implications of Income Taxes
- ACC 672/572 Advanced Financial Analysis
- BUS 610 Critical Thinking and Persuasion for Business
Electives (at least 6 credits from the following list of JD courses
- Corporate Tax or Taxation of Business Entities (not an option if taken at the Business School)
- Taxation of Business Entities
- Bankruptcy
- Banking Law
- International Finance
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Securities Regulation
- Securities Fraud Investigations: Ponzi Schemes, Stock Manipulations, and Insider Trading
- Commercial Law
- Partnership Tax
Admissions
To be admitted to this program, students must apply separately to both programs. Typically students will begin the Law School and then start the master's program in their second year of Law School. However, it is possible for students in the MS program to apply to the Law School, be accepted, and begin the joint degree program/first year of the JD the following year. (MS students need to save at least 6 credits to be completed after they begin their JD program.)
Applications to the MS program are handled on a rolling basis; however, it is recommended that applications be submitted by March 15th for the fall semester. The GRE or GMAT will not be required; the student’s LSAT score will be used instead. Once a student applies, the Business School will request the student’s Law School application from the Law School. There are a set of prerequisites for the MS program. Students who complete their undergraduate degree in accounting from an AACSB-accredited institution (with 6 credits of tax courses offered by an Accounting department) will normally meet the prerequisites for the MS program. If not, it is possible to take an Accounting Summer Intensive Program to complete the prerequisites.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition for JD courses will be paid to the Law School. Tuition for the MS courses will be paid to the Business School. Law School scholarships may only be used toward tuition for Law School courses.
For More Information
Prospective Students (MS Program)
Daniel A. Medina
Professor
Director of the MS/MST Programs
Phone: 305-284-3574
Email: dmedina@bus.miami.edu
