J.D./M.P.S. in Marine Ecosystems and Society

Overview

The University of Miami School of Law and the Rosenstiel School offer a joint degree program in law and environmental science and policy. Upon completing this program, students earn the Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law and a Master of Professional Science degree from the Rosenstiel School.

The M.P.S. degree allows students to focus their coursework in one of four areas:

1. Coastal Zone Management Track: Gain exposure to the legal and governance frameworks associated with the management of near-shore waters. These areas present unique challenges to resource managers in shipping, tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, offshore oil and gas production, renewable ocean energy, and conservation.

2. Marine Conservation Track: Curriculum designed 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 awareness of marine ecosystems.

3. Underwater Archaeology: Focuses on the theory, field techniques, and management practices necessary to work within the field of archaeology and the broader general field of marine sciences. Coursework integrates topics such as site mapping and documentation, interpretation of shipwrecks and submerged sites, best management practices, marine protected areas, and marine survey technology. Underwater Archaeology (UARCH) students receive training as AAUS Science Divers during their first semester in the MPS Program. Students will have opportunities to work side-by-side with professional archaeologists through internships and field projects with private, public, or non-governmental agencies, both nationally and internationally, and conduct relevant fieldwork. UARCH applicants and students should be aware of and follow the guidelines. 

Credits

A student may complete the requirements for both degrees within seven regular semesters or, subject to course availability, in an intensive program of six regular semesters and two full summers. The joint degree program saves students 12 credits over earning the degrees separately. An individual would essentially complete 82 credits (rather than the normal 88) in Law courses and 24 credits (rather than the normal 30) in marine, atmospheric, and earth science courses for a total of 106 credits to receive the J.D. and the M.P.S. degrees. A maximum of 6 credits from the law school must be petitioned and approved for transfer to the student's graduate record to meet the 30-credit minimum for a master's degree.  Prior to submitting a formal petition to the Graduate School, a student's academic advisor from the Law School and the M.P.S. Program Director must approve the credits requested for transfer. 

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, policy, or related scientific issues. Students may use their required upper-class research paper at the School of Law to fulfill this requirement. J.D./M.P.S. students should follow the M.P.S. Student Handbook and Dual-Degree J.D./M.P.S. Track Checklist, which outlines requirements for all J.D./M.P.S. students regardless of track concentration.

Juris Doctor (J.D.) Requirements:
Students must complete at least 12 credits from among the following courses or seminars.

Master of Professional Science (M.P.S.) Requirements: 
Rosenstiel courses are identified and organized by each M.P.S. track. A student must complete 24 credits of courses from the Rosenstiel School. Courses will be updated from time to time, and students should consult with their academic 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.

For More Information

J.D. Degree: University of Miami School of Law

Terrell E. West II
Tel: 305-284-2685  E-mail: twest@law.miami.edu

M.P.S. Degree: Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science

J.D./M.P.S. Track Leader

Dr. ​Daniel Suman
Tel: 305-742-8762  E-mail: d.suman@miami.edu

Coastal Zone Management Track Advising

Dr. Manoj Shivlani
Tel: 305-284-8259  E-mail: mshivlani@miami.edu

Marine Conservation Track Advising

Dr. Evan D'Alessandro
Tel: 305-421-4611  E-mail: edalessandro@miami.edu

 Admission Requirements

• Students who apply for the joint J.D./M.P.S. program must apply to both the School of Law and to the Master of Professional Science (M.P.S.) program at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science.
• An applicant must notify both schools that they are applying for the joint J.D./M.P.S. program and, to remain in the joint program, must meet the minimum standards of both schools.
• Prospective students must achieve a qualifying score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). The General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional for admission to the Rosenstiel School.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation are required for consideration for admission to the Rosenstiel School, and these may be letters submitted as part of their Law School application. Applicants must submit a written request to the Law School to release their letters of recommendation to the M.P.S. Office for their Rosenstiel application.
• Applicants must request delivery of official transcripts from all current and prior academic institutions, even if credits were not awarded. Applicants must submit a written request to the law school to release their transcripts to the M.P.S. Office for their Rosenstiel application. University of Miami alumni and/or current students are not required to submit an official transcript from UM as part of the application process; the M.P.S. Office at the Rosenstiel School has access to UM transcripts.

Note to students: Deficiencies in required coursework may be considered on a case-by-case basis for otherwise highly qualified students or those demonstrating experience with these skills.

Curriculum Requirements

Curriculum within the M.P.S. program will be decided on a case-by-case basis during academic advising. However, students select from a variety of multidisciplinary courses across many departments and schools at Rosenstiel/UM in a holistic effort to meet their personal and professional goals. J.D./M.P.S. students may follow the Plan of Study Grid corresponding to their respective area of focus, which identifies required and elective courses.  Students must enroll in graduate-level courses during their time at Rosenstiel; no credit will be awarded for undergraduate courses.

• Coastal Zone Management Track
• Marine Conservation Track
• Underwater Archaeology

Plan of Study

J.D./M.P.S. students may follow the Plan of Study Grid corresponding to their respective area of focus:

• Coastal Zone Management Track

• Marine Conservation Track

• Underwater Archaeology​

​

The Plan of Study Grid identifies required and elective courses for each area of focus. However, a student's schedule will be decided on a case-by-case basis during academic advising. J.D./M.P.S. students select from a variety of multidisciplinary courses across many departments and schools at Rosenstiel/UM in a holistic effort to meet their personal and professional goals.

The joint degree program saves students 12 credits over earning the degrees separately. An individual would essentially complete 82 credits (rather than the normal 88) in law courses and 24 credits (rather than the normal 30) in marine, atmospheric, and earth science courses for a total of 106 credits to receive the J.D. and the M.P.S. degrees. A maximum of 6 credits from the Law School must be petitioned and approved for transfer to the student's graduate record to meet the 30-credit minimum for a master's degree. Prior to submitting a formal petition to the Graduate School, a student's academic advisor from the Law School and the M.P.S. Program Director must approve the credits requested for transfer.