JD/MPA Concurrent Degree Program

Program Overview

The Juris Doctorate/Master of Public Administration concurrent degree program is offered in collaboration with the UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law and the UA Little Rock School of Public Affairs. Students enrolled in the concurrent program may use specified courses to earn cross-credits that may be applied toward the fulfillment of both degrees.

Current MPA program students may enter the concurrent program by gaining admission to the Bowen School of Law and submitting a complete declaration form prior to completing the MPA degree. Students currently pursuing a JD must apply for admission to the MPA program prior to receiving the JD.

Once students are admitted to both programs and the concurrent degree forms are on file in both offices, cross-credit for courses is earned according to the following conditions:

  • Minimum grade of C (2.0) in JD program cross-credit courses (up to 15 hours)
  • Minimum grade of B (3.0) in MPA program cross-credit courses (up to 12 hours)

Why JD/MPA Concurrent Degree Program at UA Little Rock?

  • MPA accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration since 1993
  • JD accredited by the American Bar Associate and the Association of American Law Schools
  • Located in the capital and largest metropolitan area of Arkansas
  • MPA program resides within the School of Public Affairs and the College of Social Sciences and Communication
  • MPA courses offered in the evening (occasionally on the weekends) for working professionals
  • Applied, practical approach to learning
  • Out-of-state students from contiguous states only pay in-state tuition (Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee)
  • Law school professional mentoring program
  • Bowen Student Success Program, Dean’s Fellows, and Student Success Teams
  • Bar exam Success Services
  • Ranked “Best Value Law School” for multiple years
  • Ranked “Best Grad School: Public Affairs” for 2019.

MPA Courses Approved for Credit in the JD Program

PADM 7301 Profession of Public Administration
PADM 7303 Public Organization Theory
PADM 7313 Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
PADM 7333 Administrative Leadership & Public Management
PADM 7334 Grant Writing & Fundraising
PADM 7335 Urban Management
PADM 7336 Managing the Nonprofit Sector
PADM 7339 State Administration & Reform
PADM 7340 Ethics in Public Administration
PADM 7341 Managing Public Disputes
PADM 7353 Seminar in Intergovernmental Management
PADM 7362 Public Policy Analysis I
PADM 7363 Public Policy Analysis II
PADM 7373 Seminar in Public Administration/Capstone (must be law-related subject)
PADM 7380 Public Program Evaluation
PADM 7385 Seminar in Public Policy

JD Courses Approved for Credit in the MPA Program

LAW 6203 Alternative Dispute Resolution
LAW 6249 Workers Compensation
LAW 6256/6393 Civil Liberties
LAW 6269 Employment Law
LAW 6279 State & Local Taxation
LAW 6283/6387 Health Law
LAW 6300 Environmental Law
LAW 6318 Water Law
LAW 6343 Public Service Law
LAW 6350 Administrative Law
LAW 6357 Public Health Law
LAW 6361 Employment Discrimination
LAW 6372 Land Use
LAW 6374 Legislation
LAW 6375 Local Government
LAW 6399 Disability Law
LAW 6404 Mediation Clinic

Click here for more information on the MPA Degree.

Click here for more information about the JD Degree.