main entrance and building of the Alexander Blewett III School of Law seen from above

Alexander Blewett III School of Law

Dual Degrees

Dual degrees allow a student to concurrently earn two separate degrees, a JD degree and a Master degree in a different field.  The Alexander Blewett III School of Law offers five dual Master degrees:  Students may earn dual degrees in:

  • Public Administration,
  • Business Administration,
  • Environmental Studies,
  • Social Work, and
  • Resource Conservation.

Dual degree students may typically earn the JD and the Master degree in a shorter period of time than would be required if the degrees were taken consecutively. Only those dual degree credits earned while a student is enrolled as a JD candidate may court towards credits required for the JD degree.

Dual degree students must separately apply to both the Alexander Blewett III School of Law and to the University of Montana Graduate School for the dual master degree.

Law students who choose to pursue a dual degree must notify the Law School Registrar no later than the beginning of 2L year. Law Students must also notify the designated contact person at the dual program.

Prospective students should direct questions about the dual degree programs to the Assistant Dean of Admissions. Current students should direct questions about the dual degree programs to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs is the advisor for all JD/dual degree programs.

JD/Master of Public Administration

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree provides a public law option for students anticipating careers as governmental or nonprofit administrators. Lawyers are increasingly being called upon to perform management tasks, particularly in governmental agencies. The dual JD/MPA dual degree is appropriate for those students who would find it helpful in their career objectives to be cross-trained.

  • The JD/MPA degree may be earned in four years. The customary sequence is:
    • The first two years as a full-time student in the School of Law. No MPA courses may be taken during the first academic year.
    • The third year as a full-time student in the MPA program.
    • The fourth year as a full-time student in the JD program.
  • The School of Law will apply 9 credit hours earned by the student in the MPA program towards satisfaction of the JD degree provided that (i) those credits were earned after the student had matriculated as a JD student and (ii) the student earns the MPA degree.
  • The MPA program will accept in satisfaction of the MPA degree 9 credits earned by the student in the following law courses:
    • Legislation
    • Administrative Law
    • Employment Law
    • Federal Indian Law
    • Land Use Planning
    • Other law courses at the discretion of the Director of the MPA program

In order to be admitted to the dual JD/MPA degree program, a student must separately apply and be admitted to both the Alexander Blewett III School of Law and the University of Montana Graduate School in the Master of Public Administration program.  It is possible for a student to enroll in the programs at different times.  Only credits earned while a student is enrolled as a JD candidate may count towards credits required for the JD degree.

For more information on the MPA, contact Director of the MPA Program, Dr. Shannon Vaughan or MPA Advisor, Eli Redeker.

JD/Master of Business Administration

The dual degree in law and Business Administration allows students to meet the real-world need for a combined JD and MBA degree. Lawyers regularly work with and for businesses.

  • The JD/MBA degree may be earned in as little as three years. The customary sequence is:
    • The first year as a full-time student in the School of Law. No MBA courses may be taken during the first academic year.
    • The second and third years devoted to both law and business courses.
  • The law school will apply 9 credit hours earned by the student in the MBA program towards satisfaction of the JD degree provided that (i) those credits were earned after the student had matriculated as a JD student and (ii) the student earns the MBA degree.
  • The MBA program will accept in satisfaction of the MBA degree 9 elective credits earned by the student in the JD program as approved by the College of Business Graduate Program Director.

In order to be admitted to the JD/MBA dual degree program, a student must separately apply and be admitted to both the Alexander Blewett III School of Law and the University of Montana Graduate School in the Master of Business Administration program.  It is possible for a student to enroll in the programs at different times.  Only credits earned while a student is enrolled as a JD candidate may count towards credits required for the JD degree.

For more information on the MBA, contact Dawn Hambrick, Graduate Program Director, or Austin Tompkins, Graduate Programs Manager/Advisor.

JD/Master of Environmental Studies

Because the world of environmental law in inherently interdisciplinary, the environmental lawyer of the 21st century will benefit from an education that reaches beyond the bounds of traditional law school. Environmental legal problems invariably involve scientific, policy or ethical issues. This dual degree bridges the legal, social and physical sciences.

  • The JD/EVST degree may be earned in as little as four years and the customary sequence is:
  • The first two years as a full-time student in the School of Law. No EVST courses may be taken during the first academic year at the Law School.
  • The third and fourth years devoted to courses in both the School of Law and the EVST program.
  • The law school will apply 9 credit hours earned by the student in the EVST program towards satisfaction of the JD degree provided that (i) those credits were earned after the student had matriculated as a JD student and (ii) the student earns the EVST degree.
  • The EVST Program shall accept toward the EVST degree a maximum of 9 approved credits earned in the School of Law. The EVST program may accept toward the EVST master’s degree the following Law School courses:
    • Introduction to Environmental Law
    • Public Land and Resources Law
    • Water Law
    • Administrative Law
    • Clinical experience related to environmental law
    • Other courses approved on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the EVST program.

In order to be admitted to the JD/EVST dual degree program, a student must separately apply and be admitted to both the Alexander Blewett III School of Law and the University of Montana Graduate School in the Master of Environmental Studies program.  It is possible for a student to enroll in the programs at different times.  Only credits earned while a student is enrolled as a JD candidate may count towards credits required for the JD degree.

For more information, contact Mark Sundeen, Chair of the Department of Environmental Studies, who serves as advisor for the course of study taken in the Environmental Studies masters.

JD/Master of Social Work

The dual degree program in law and master of social work offers an opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. It prepares students to respond to the unique needs of a rural state like Montana. Those with a broad skillset in law and social work can bring a range of skills needed by client in rural areas.

  • The JD/MSW degree may be earned in four years, and the customary sequence is:
  • The first and year as a full-time student in the School of Law. No social work classes may be taken during the first academic year.
  • The second and third years devoted to both law and social work courses.
  • The fourth year devoted to social work courses.
  • The School of Law will apply 9 credit hours earned by the student in the Master of Social Work program towards satisfaction of the JD degree provided that (i) those credits were earned after the student had matriculated as a JD student and (ii) the student earns the MSW degree.

In order to be admitted to the JD/MSW dual degree program, a student must separately apply and be admitted to both the Alexander Blewett III School of Law and the University of Montana Graduate School in the Master of Social Work program.  It is possible for a student to enroll in the programs at different times.  Only credits earned while a student is enrolled as a JD candidate may count towards credits required for the JD degree.

For more information, contact the Chair of the Department of Social Work, who serves as advisor for the course of study taken in the Social Work master’s degree.

JD/Master of Science in Resource Conservation

This dual degree program provides a combined law and science/policy option for students anticipating natural resources careers in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors who seek to better address natural resources issues through interdisciplinary cross-training.

  • The JD/MS degree can be earned in 3.5 to 4 years depending on sequencing of courses. The typical sequence is:
    • The first and year as a full-time student in the School of Law. No M.S. Resource Conservation classes may be taken during the first academic year.
    • In subsequent years the student may enroll in a combination of Law and Resource Conservation coursework sequenced to meet the student’s needs and approved by faculty advisors in each program.
  • The School of Law will apply 9 credit hours earned by the student in the Master of Science in Resource Conservation program towards satisfaction of the JD degree provided that (i) those credits were earned after the student had matriculated as a JD student and (ii) the student earns the MSW degree.
  • The M.S. Resource Conservation program will accept 9 credit hours earned in the School of Law. The M.S. in Resource Conservation program may accept toward the M.S.degree the following Law School courses:
    • Administrative Law
    • American Indian Natural Resources Law
    • Environmental Law
    • Land Use Planning
    • Natural Resources Development
    • Public Land and Resources Law
    • Renewable Energy Law
    • Water Law
    • Wildlife Law
    • Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic
    • Land Use and Natural Resources Clinic
    • Other law courses at the discretion of the M.S. advisor

In order to be admitted to the JD/MS in Resource Conservation dual degree program, a student must separately apply and be admitted to both the Alexander Blewett III School of Law and the University of Montana Graduate School in the Master of Science in Resource Conservation program.  It is possible for a student to enroll in the programs at different times.  Only credits earned while a student is enrolled as a JD candidate may count towards credits required for the JD degree.

For more information, contact Professor Martin Nie, who serves as advisor for the course of study taken in the Resource Conservation master’s degree.