Why this graduate degree program may be for you
This interdisciplinary graduate program is designed for students who want a solid background in public policy as well as law. The master’s degree (MS) in Law & Public Policy is an interdisciplinary public policy program that prepares students for careers in government, non-profit and legal organizations, and research. Students first complete the law degree, taking the specific courses indicated. After completing the Juris Doctor (JD), students then take one year of courses in LPP, ending with a capstone course. The program covers a full range of strategies for creating policy change, including legislation, litigation, the ballot box, and civil action. Students engage in policy analysis and applied research that develops real-world solutions to public policy challenges.
What can you expect from the program
Students begin with core courses in theories of public policy, research methodology, law, and economics. Then each student develops a unique plan of study in his or her chosen policy field. The program provides a solid theoretical grounding in public policy, a toolkit of research methodologies, and expertise in one or more policy areas. Students receive individualized advising from a faculty member in their policy focus area who can guide them in developing a curriculum and planning a career. Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and typically have several years of work experience making the classroom environment especially rich.
Policy Focus Areas
- Crime, Law, and Justice
- Health Policy
- Labor Marker Analysis and Workforce Development
- Sustainability and Climate Change
- Urban Policy
- The following courses are taken in the Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities (3 semester hours each)
- LPSC 6313 Economic Analysis for Law, Policy, and Planning
- Research and Statistical Methods LPSC7305
- Advanced Methods Elective
- CAS elective in policy focus area (Requirement)
- CAS elective in policy focus area (Requirement)
- CLPS 7312 Capstone in Law and Policy
The following courses are taken in the Law School and double count toward both degrees (3 quarter hours each)
- Interdisciplinary Approaches to Policy and AdvocacyCLPS 7311 Strategizing Public Policy
- CLPS 7496 Appellate Advocacy
- Law elective in focus area
- Joan Fitzgerald
- Judith Barr
- Barry Bluestone
- Chris Bosso
- Ballard Campbell
- Alan Clayton-Matthews
- Richard Daynard
- James Alan Fox
- Greg Goodale
- Thomas Koenig
- Steve Nathanson
- Stephanie Pollack
- Michael Tolley
- Gregory Wassall
Core Faculty
Financial Aid and Scholarships
In addition to needs-based financial aid, a limited number of tuition discounts and scholarships are available. We urge you to complete your application for admission as early as possible. Applications for financial aid are processed after students have been admitted into the program. For complete details, go to Tuition and Financial Aid.
Admissions
For the J.D./M.S. program, applicants must apply separately to the Law School (for the J.D.) and the Law and Public Policy Program (for the M.S. portion). The deadline for the Law School is March 1 each year for fall admission.
For the M.S. portion, students may apply when they apply to law school or during their first year of law school. Applications are accepted until August 1st.
To apply to the Law & Public Policy program, please submit:
- Completed application to both School of Law and Graduate School of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended
- Personal statement
- Current resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- Application fee
- LSAT scores
All applications must be submitted online.
Application Deadlines:
- Law School (J.D.) – March 1st, 2011 for Fall Semester 2011
- Law and Public Policy Program (M.S.) – August 1st 2011 for Fall Semester 2011
