Saint Louis University School of Law and the School of Social Work offer a Juris Doctor/Master of Science in Urban Planning and Development. Pairing a law degree with an urban planning and development degree creates a highly relevant and valuable combination in the local, national, and global economy.
The master’s in urban planning and development will help students understand the complex world of urban development from both the public and private sectors, and develop professional competencies in spatial and policy analysis, real estate finance, and communication across diverse audiences.
This specialized program allows students to earn both degrees in roughly four to four-and-a-half years instead of the typical five to five-and-a-half, saving a considerable amount in time and tuition. It equips students with the skills needed to become leaders in urban growth and revitalization, trained in the Jesuit framework of being of service for and with others. Legal clinics and field placements give students the opportunity to represent clients, advocate for neighborhoods, assist entrepreneurs, gain experience in government and the courts, intern for nonprofit agencies or corporate counsel offices, and work in criminal defense or prosecution offices.
Graduates work across the public, private and nonprofit sectors holding jobs with state, regional and municipal governments, planning consulting firms, real estate development companies and law firms, community development corporations, and economic development organizations. Graduates can also pursue traditional legal career opportunities in fields such as employment law, real estate law, tax law and environmental law with enhanced insight into the urban infrastructure in which their clients operate.
For additional information see the catalog entries for the following programs:
Law, J.D.
Urban Planning and Development, M.S.
Accreditation
Saint Louis University School of Law has been continuously accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) since December 1924. The accrediting body is the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.
Students wishing to enter the J.D./M.S. program must fulfill all admission requirements for the School of Law and the School of Social Work. They must apply to each separately.
The dual program ordinarily will require students to complete a total of 115-118 credits of course work (82 credits in the School of Law and 33-36 credits in the College for Public Health and Social Justice) to satisfy the requirements of the two programs.
Of the 91 credits required for the J.D., nine credits are satisfied by completion of urban planning and development courses. Twelve credits of law courses will be accepted toward completion of the credits required for the urban planning and development degree.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
