The University of Miami School of Law in partnership with the University of Miami Department of Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences offers a joint J.D./M.P.A. in Law and Public Administration. This curriculum prepares Law School students for government, political and nonprofit legal positions. The 112-credit degree program provides a solid theoretical framework and grounding in policy analysis, administration, and management.
The joint program allows students to obtain both JD and MPA degrees in four years. The first year is spent in the Law School and years two through four are spent taking both Law and MPA courses.
For further information contact the Department of Political Science at 305-284-2401 or the Law School at 305-284-5535.
Admission Requirements
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.
J.D./M.P.A. Proposed Sample Schedule with 4 years, no summers: (Note: schedule can be shortened through summer credits).
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JD REQUIREMENTS | 82 | |
| Refer to the link below for more information on the JD Requirements for Dual/Joint Degrees. | ||
| MPA REQUIREMENTS | ||
| Required Courses | 27 | |
| Budget and Financial Management and Administration | ||
| Organizational Dynamics and Management | ||
| Statistics for Politics and Public Administration | ||
| Introduction to Graduate Public Administration | ||
| Public Policy Process and Implementation | ||
| Human Resource Management in Public Service | ||
| Productivity in the Public and Non-Profit Sectors | ||
| Public Service Internship | ||
| Government and Business | ||
| Electives (Select one of the following) | 3 | |
| Non-Profit Organizations: Law, Policy, and Management | ||
| Introduction to Game Theory for Political Science | ||
| Comparative Public Policy and Administration | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Applied Policy Analysis | ||
| Total Quality Public Service Management: Achieving High Performance Government | ||
| Politics and Ethics | ||
| Ethical and Managerial Issues in Government, Business, and Non-Profit Organizations | ||
| From Electronic Government to Digital Governance | ||
| Special Topics in Public Administration, Policy, and Law | ||
| Special Topics in International Relations | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 112 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| LAW 11 | Civil Procedure I | 3 |
| LAW 12 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW 13 | Elements | 3 |
| LAW 15 | Torts | 4 |
| LAW 19 | Legal Communication and Research I | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| LAW 14 | Property | 4 |
| LAW 16 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| LAW 17 | U.S. Constitutional Law I | 4 |
| LAW 29 | Legal Communication and Research II | 2 |
| Law Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Upper Level Law Courses | 9 | |
| M.P.A. Courses | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Upper Level Law Courses | 9 | |
| M.P.A. Courses | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Upper Level Law Courses | 8 | |
| M.P.A. Courses | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Upper Level Law Courses | 9 | |
| M.P.A. Courses | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Upper Level Law Courses | 6 | |
| M.P.A. Courses | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Upper Level Law Courses | 9 | |
| M.P.A. Courses | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 112 | |
