JURIS DOCTOR

• Application process
• Registration
• Contacts
• Requirements (JD)
  • Master of Public Policy (MPP)
  • Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP)
  • Master of Science in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy (MS)

Registration

Students enrolled in dual degree programs may begin their studies in either program. It is best to complete a full year in one program before beginning the second program. The following scenario works well: Students begin with their first year core courses at the Law School. In the second year, students complete mostly core courses at the Humphrey School, but also do their second year legal writing requirement at the Law School (either moot court or journal). The next two years allow for greater flexibility to take advantage of occasional course offerings in students' areas of specialization. Students should register through the college in which they have the most credits in a given semester, while paying attention to collegiate residency requirements. The Law School requires 6 semesters of full time (minimum of 12 credits) attendance to meet ABA accreditation requirements. In some cases one semester of the residency requirement may be waived after consultation with Erin Keyes, assistant dean of students at the Law School.

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Contacts

*Professor Kenney may recommend that you have a Humphrey advisor whose expertise is closer to your specialization than is hers. She will, however, help solve any administrative problems you have with the joint degree.

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Degree requirements

JD requirements

The Juris Doctor (JD)degree requires 88 semester credits. The Law School will accept towards this total up to six credits of graduate-level coursework completed outside the Law School. When both institutions recognize the student as a joint program student (through concurrent enrollment in both law and another master's, professional, or doctoral program) the student may petition the Law School to accept an additional six "substantially law-related" graduate credits towards the JD. Joint program students are encouraged to consult with Assistant Dean of Students Erin Keyes at the Law School to ensure their graduate degree plan includes courses that will be considered "substantially law-related," and, therefore, acceptable for transfer towards Law School degree requirements. After completion of transferable graduate credits and prior to graduation from the Law School, joint program students should submit a written Petition to Assistant Dean Keyes, specifying the 12 credits of graduate coursework they wish to apply towards their JD requirements.  A dual degree student will most likely use Humphrey School courses (rather than other UM courses) required for the MPP, MURP, or MS degree to fulfill these 12 credits.

Students may want to use their third-year writing requirement for the Law School as the basis for their professional paper or MS thesis. Students should work closely with their HHH advisor to ensure that the paper meets Humphrey School professional paper requirements and that they are not receiving course credit in both the Law School and the Humphrey School for the same piece of written work. Using a seminar paper or law review article as the basis of the professional paper, however, is strongly encouraged.

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MPP requirements

The MPP degree requires 45 semester credits, of which no more than 17 may be in law courses (which are to be used for the concentration and/or electives). A student must take all required core courses and write a professional paper through one of the options described in the Final Paper Requirements. Students may choose law as their concentration. Assuming that their Humphrey School advisor and the DGS agree that the chosen courses have a law focus, no separate petition is necessary apart from the Graduate School Degree Program form. Students may, however, want to design a concentration in international human rights, or international trade law for which they will have to seek written approval of both their advisor and the DGS.

The MPP degree requires an internship of at least 400 hours. In some instances, a law clerkship may count toward the Humphrey School internship depending on its focus and responsibilities. Contact Career Services in the Graduate Programs Office regarding waiving the internship requirement

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MURP requirements

The MURP degree requires 48 semester credits, including up to 17 law credits. A student must take all required Humphrey and planning core courses as well as a capstone workshop (3 credits). Students may substitute Law 6201 (Land Use Planning) for PA 5013 (Law and Urban Land Use). Law courses usually constitute all or most of the specialization and elective credits. The MURP requires a professional paper or Plan A master's thesis.

The MURP degree requires an internship of at least 400 hours. In some instances, a law clerkship may count toward the Humphrey School internship depending on its focus and responsibilities. Contact Career Services in the Graduate Programs Office regarding waiving the internship requirement.

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MS requirements

The MS degree requires a total of 40 semester credits. Selected Law School courses will satisfy a portion of the MS requirements.** All students in the University's Joint Degree Program in Law, Health & the Life Sciences take a one-credit professional seminar. The seminar does not count toward credit totals otherwise required by the Law School or the Humphrey School unless the student petitions to include it in the 12 law credits which are also counted for the MS.

In addition, students must complete a thesis and register for 10 thesis credits if pursing the Plan A (thesis) MS degree, or write a Plan B paper if pursuing the Plan B (non-thesis) MS.

Examples of HHH courses relevant to the JD/MS joint degree program that may count in the Law School as courses that are substantially law related include:

Table A. Public Affairs Courses Which May Count in the JD Program

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Examples of Law School courses that are expected to qualify for HHH credit in the joint JD/MS degree program include:

Table B. Law Courses to Qualify for MS Degree

Note that course offerings in both the Law School and Humphrey School are subject to change. Students should check with the administrator responsible for joint degree programs in each institution to clarify which courses are eligible for cross-credit.

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