Admissions
Students desiring admission in the dual degree program must apply independently to both programs. An applicant must meet the admission standards of the Graduate School, the Martin School, and the College of Law. Applicants should note on all application forms that admission is being sought for the JD/MPA dual degree program. The dual degree program is not suitable for part-time MPA students. There is not part-time program in the College of Law.
Students independently pursuing either the JD or the MPA may be considered for admission to the JD/MPA dual degree program. A student will be eligible fo rconsideration after the end of their first year and if no more than 24 credit hours of the MPA program are completed. The student's application for admission must be approved by the program in which he or she is not enrolled. the JD/MPA program is not open to students who have already earned one of the degrees.
Application Process
A Graduate School application, official GRE/GMAT scores, two official transcripts from all universities attended (an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required), and official TOEFL scored (for international students) must be sent to:
Graduate School Admissions
351 Patterson Office Tower
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0027
Phone: (859) 257-4613
Fax: (859) 323-1928
Three letters of recommendation and an application information form must be sent to:
Sarah O. Lee, Student Services
Martin School of Public Policy and Administration
413 Patterson Office Tower
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0027
Phone: (859) 257-5594
Fax: (859) 323-1937
Email: solee@uky.edu
For the College of Law, a Law School application and personal statement, official LSAT scores, and Law School Data Assembly Service Report, and letters of recommendation, along with any other materials described in its Bulletin must be sent to:
Drusilla V. Bakert
Associate Dean for Admissions
209 Law Building
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0048
Phone: (859) 257-1678
Fax: (859) 323-1061
Email: dbakert@uky.edu
Website: www.uky.edu/Law
Curriculum
To earn the JD/MPA, students must satisfy the requirements of both the Martin School and the College of Law. Each school accepts credit earned in the other school, allowing students to complete the joint program after only 30 credit hours of MPA course work and 81 credit hours of JD coursework.
From the perspective of the MPA program, the JD program serves as the MPA student's Area of Concentration, thereby satisfying the required MPA Area of Concentration coursework. From the College of Law perspective, the MPA coursework satisfies nine hours of electives toward the JD degree. This dual program of study is to be completed in four years.
Once admitted, the student chooses to begin coursework in either Public Administration or Law. Simultaneous enrollment is the exception, not the norm. However, if scheduling problems do arise, the MPA and JD program representatives will resolve such problems on an ad hoc basis.
Students may follow one of two tracks:
Track A
Year 1: 27 credit hours of required MPA core courses Year 2: 29 credit hours of required first-year Law courses, including Legal Research and Writing Year 3: Law electives and a 3 credit hour JD/MPA internship (Professional Responsibility, LAW 835, and completion of a substantial writing project are required in Year 3 or 4) Year 4: Law electives
Track B
Year 1: 29 credit hours of required first-year Law courses, including Legal Research and Writing Year 2: 27 credit hours of required MPA courses Year 3: Same as Track A Year 4: Same as Track A
All students entering the MPA program or JD/MPA program must demonstrate proficiency in basic computer skills. This requirement may be met by passing a self-administered diagnostic examination or by completing a computer-assisted instructional module offered by the Martin School. These basic skills will be supplemented by computer-based assignments throughout the curriculum.
The MPA Director of Graduate Studies and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the College of Law serve as an advising team, each in their respective schools for all prospective and newly-admitted students.
During the period of MPA study, the student will have graduate student status and must comply with the rules and regulations of the Graduate School. Student fees/tuition are paid at Graduate School rates.
During the period of Law residence, the student will have law student status and must comply with the rules and regulations of the College of Law. Student fees/tuition are paid at the College of Law rates. Eligibility of law students for the law journals, Moot Court, Order of the Coif, and other College of Law activities and honors are determined at the discretion of the College of Law.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Grade Point Average
Grade point averages for both programs are calculated independently by the College of Law and the Graduate School. Dual degree students must satisfy the College of Law requirement of maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.00 for coursework counted toward the JD degree. MPA coursework accepted for JD credit is assigned a pass or fail grade. The Graduate School requires a minimum of a 3.00 GPA on coursework counted toward the MPA degree. For law work that will be counted toward the MPA, no grade below "C" will transfer; any "C" must be balanced by an "A".
Comprehensive Examination
JD/MPA students are eligible to sit for final comprehensive examinations for the MPA degree at the completion of the 27 hours of MPA core courses. College of Law faculty are not involved in this examination in any way.
Internships
The three-hour internship (PA 711) is with a judge or firm or in an administrative agency with legal activities. The MPA and College of Law advisors jointly evaluate and grade the resulting written analysis of the internships. Internships are arranged by the MPA Internship Coordinator, after consultation with the College of Law representative
Granting of JD/MPA Degrees
Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements of both schools and the successful completion of 30 credit hours of MPA coursework and 81 credit hours of JD coursework, the student is granted both the JD and MPA degrees. The student is then eligible to attend graduation ceremonies at either or both schools.
Failure to Complete JD/MPA Requirements
The JD/MPA dual degrees are granted only upon successful completion of all coursework and examinations.
If a student finds it impossible to complete the law component, he or she can complete an MPA Area of Concentration and a final comprehensive examination over Core and Area of Concentration classes and receive only the MPA degree.
College of Law credit given for MPA coursework is provisional upon completion of the dual degree program. If a student is unable to complete the MPA requirements, he/she will only receive up to six hours of MPA coursework completed with a grade of "B" or above toward the JD, subject to approval of the Dean of the College of Law.
For additional information, please contact:
Sarah O. Lee, Student Services
Martin School of Public Policy and Administration
413 Patterson Office Tower
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0027
Phone: (859) 257-5594
Fax: (859) 323-1937
Email: solee@uky.edu