Program Overview

Overview

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 dual 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.

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.

Curriculum Requirements

• The dual degree 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.
• The program consists of:
  • JD REQUIREMENTS: 82 credits
  • MPA REQUIREMENTS:
    • Required Courses: 30 credits
      • POL 601: Budget and Financial Management and Administration
      • POL 606: Organizational Dynamics and Management
      • POL 608: Equity and Diversity in Public Administration
      • POL 610: Statistics for Politics and Public Administration
      • POL 622: Introduction to Graduate Public Administration
      • POL 647: Human Resource Management in Public Service
      • POL 657: Ethical and Managerial Issues in Government, Business, and Non-Profit Organizations
      • POL 656: Public Service Internship
      • or PRACTICUM
    • MPA Electives: Additional electives considered with approval from the Program Director
      • POL 660: Public Program Evaluation
      • POL 646: Public Policy Process and Implementation
• Total Credit Hours: 112

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan of study is as follows:

• Year One:
  • Fall:
    • LAW 11: Civil Procedure I
    • LAW 12: Contracts
    • LAW 13: Elements
    • LAW 15: Torts
    • LAW 19: Legal Communication and Research I
  • Spring:
    • LAW 14: Property
    • LAW 16: Criminal Procedure
    • LAW 17: U.S. Constitutional Law I
    • LAW 29: Legal Communication and Research II
    • Law Elective
• Year Two:
  • Fall: Upper Level Law Courses (9 credits), M.P.A. Courses (6 credits)
  • Spring: Upper Level Law Courses (9 credits), M.P.A. Courses (6 credits)
• Year Three:
  • Fall: Upper Level Law Courses (8 credits), M.P.A. Courses (6 credits)
  • Spring: Upper Level Law Courses (9 credits), M.P.A. Courses (3 credits)
• Year Four:
  • Fall: Upper Level Law Courses (6 credits), M.P.A. Courses (6 credits)
  • Spring: Upper Level Law Courses (9 credits), M.P.A. Courses (3 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 112