JD/MPA Dual Degree
University of Arkansas School of Law and Department of Political Science, Master of Public Administration
Program Description
The dual degree program permits the student to gain both degrees in a total time period of four years, one year less than if the degrees were earned independently. The dual degree can be valuable for persons seeking careers as municipal managers, administrators of judicial and quasi-judicial organizations, staff members in governmental agencies, and legislative researchers, among others. The rapid professionalization of the nonprofit sector also provides excellent career opportunities for students with this preparation.
Admission to the Dual Degree Program
The School of Law and the Department of Political Science cooperate in providing a dual J.D. /M.P.A degree. Students working toward this dual degree must be admitted to the School of Law and the Graduate School, the Department of Political Science. If the student is admitted to both programs, a maximum of 15 hours of approved upper-level elective law courses may be used as credit toward the MPA degree, and a maximum of nine (9) hours of approved graduate courses in public administration may be used as credit toward the J. D. degree. This will reduce the time necessary to complete the two degrees by about one academic year. Through the MPA program the student also has an option to enter into an internship, or, alternately, take an additional six (6) hours of classes to complete the MPA program requirements.
Fifteen hours of MPA elective courses taken in the School of Law constitute an area of concentration that the student develops with his/her advisors in both programs.
The 9 hours of approved courses in public administration are to be selected from the following list of MPA core courses: PLSC 5123 Public Budgeting and Finance, PLSC 5163 Public Policy Analysis, PLSC 5113 Human Resource Management or PLSC 5103 Human Behavior in Complex Organizations. (see attached suggested degree checklist)
Advisors
School of Law:
Rhonda Adams, Assistant Dean for
Administration
131 Waterman Hall (Robert A Leflar Law
Center)
Tel: 479-575-3102
rhonda@uark.edu
Law School catalog:
http://law.uark.edu/admissions/lawcatalog2001.pdf
Department of Political Science: MPA Director
Dr. Margaret Reid,
Graduate Coordinator and MPA Director
533 Old Main
Tel: 479-575-3356
mreid@uark.edu
MPA handbook (for more details on the MPA) JD/MPA checklist
Students must seek admission to both programs. Students entering either program must decide during their first academic year if they would like to seek admission to the other degree as part of the dual degree. While students can commence their studies in either program, it is advisable to start with law classes (please be reminded that the first year of law classes is a set and that no MPA classes may be taken during that first year). During the second year, classes from either program may be taken.
Students must meet with their academic advisors in both programs at least once a year to develop/revise their course of study and to certify that they make adequate progress toward the completion of their degrees. Any changes in the curriculum will require the consent of both advisors.
Records of the student's progress toward completing his/her studies are kept in both academic units.
Dismissal from the Dual Degree Program
In order to remain in the dual degree program, student must remain in good standing in each program (see the curriculum handbook of each program for details). Failure to do so will lead to the automatic dismissal from the program in which the student does not meet the required conditions. If a student is dismissed from either of the programs, he or she may elect to continue in the program in which she/he has maintained good standing. The student is then subject to all the requirements of that program.
Development of a Concentration
Ordinarily, after students have satisfied the core requirement in their programs they may proceed with their elective courses. Students meet with their advisors to develop an appropriate set of courses in an area of concentration (see Appendix for sample concentrations). Fifteen (15) hours of MPA elective courses to be taken in the School of Law are available for that purpose, as well as remaining electives from the student's law curriculum.
When selecting courses for a concentration the student should consider career
goals, areas of deficiencies in their preparation, or the need to upgrade
existing skills in an area of expertise. Careful consideration should precede
the selection of a concentration in order not to lose valuable time. The student
should also inquire about when certain courses might be available.
Students taking
law courses to satisfy MPA concentration
requirements must make a letter grade of C or better in those courses. Courses
taken in the Law School will not be counted toward the student's graduate GPA.
Comprehensive Examination
The MPA program requires a comprehensive examination in which the student demonstrates his or her ability to integrate learned knowledge and to apply it to relevant administrative or management settings. Students in the dual degree program will have the option to incorporate their legal knowledge. A faculty member in the School of Law will be asked to compose a question and evaluate that answer.
Internship
Pre-service students are highly encouraged to take advantage of the internship opportunity available through the MPA program (see MPA handbook for guidelines). Internships may vary from 1 to 6 hours. They can be taken in any part of the state, or with an agency or organization with which the student seeks to develop his or her career interests or expertise. At the conclusion of the internship, the student submits an analytical paper evaluating a problem/issue encountered during the internship. The length of the paper is commensurate with the hours taken.
Professional Conduct
Students' professional conduct is governed by their schools' respective guidelines. In the School of Law students must adhere to the School's Student Code of Conduct (see Law School program handbook). In the Political Science department students are expected to adhere to the following behavioral standards:
Students should take responsibility for their academic progress by familiarizing themselves with the academic calendar, and meeting deadlines as stipulated by the Department or the Graduate School. Graduate students should become involved in activities that will contribute their professional development and the development of their professional contacts.
At the beginning of the program, ALL NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS are REQUIRED to participate in a graduate orientation that is offered in the fall semester of every year. The orientation is composed of a general session introducing the new students to the Department's graduate programs and the faculty, and to departmental expectations. The general introduction is followed by an extensive library orientation by a staff member of Mullins Library. Students entering in the spring are expected to participate in the orientation in the fall of the year that they enter the program.
The Department makes opportunities available to participate in professional conferences, workshops and field trips, as well as projects involving direct services to area communities and organizations. Participation and membership in professional organizations or the Department's honor society Pi Sigma Alpha are other ways to contribute to professional development.
True professionals aspire to behavior that does not compromise the integrity of their workplace and their fellow colleagues. The University of Arkansas has adopted procedures to discourage inappropriate behavior (see Graduate Catalog, p.17-18) that does not uphold such standards. Professional programs are especially concerned with creating an ethical work environment, and providing conditions that are supportive of the students' academic and professional development.
In academic settings plagiarism is an offense that requires the strongest action by the Department. Consider the following as general guidelines. First, any passage, no matter how short, which is taken word for word from another work, must be marked as a quotation and the source must be shown in a footnote. Second, when the wording of a passage is not taken directly from another work, a reference showing the source must be inserted. In general, it is preferable to paraphrase in your own words the opinion of an author, with proper citations, instead of copying lengthy literal quotations.
If you feel that you cannot express an idea as well as the author, however, copy the passage exactly and mark it as a quotation. Individual facts that are common knowledge in the field need not be footnoted. In case of doubt whether plagiarism is being committed, consult a reference work, or with your instructor.
Professional Development and Job Search
Students desiring help in securing professional opportunities should consult with the M.P.A. faculty all of whom have established good working relationships with local governments, state agencies and nonprofit organizations. The MPA program encourages the development of a portfolio.
Additionally, numerous public employment job listings and announcements from a number of sources are available to aid the student.
There are a number of post-graduate internships with large cities (e.g., Kansas City, Phoenix, Long Beach, Miami), the prestigious Presidential Management Internship (PMI) program, and opportunities with private and nonprofit organizations. Finally, important resources are professionals in the field such as alumni, or professionals you meet becoming a member in an appropriate organization.
Likewise, the School of Law has a career services office that can assist students with employment and career opportunities.