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Master of Urban Planning/Juris DoctorJoint MUP/JD ProgramThe dual MUP/JD program recognizes the values of interdisciplinary study and encourages students having an interest in both law and urban planning to pursue these degrees simultaneously. Both planning and legal issues pervade most decisions about land use, whether made by government institutions, environmental or business entities, or private landowners. Local control and management of land use requires not only comprehensive and well-informed planning for the future, but also the use of legal tools like zoning and permits, and the consideration of legal authority, rights, duties, and dispute resolution processes. The urban planner who understands legal principles and processes has an advantage in effectuating good planning. Likewise, the real estate, land use, or environmental lawyer who understands the principles and tools of planning has an advantage in representing his or her clients on real property issues. There is a growing set of career pathways involving the integration of planning and law in creative and sophisticated ways. Moreover, the dual MUP/JD program brings together two academic units critical to advancing the University’s metropolitan-oriented mission in teaching, research, and service to the community. Students who participate in the dual program may reduce the aggregate credit hour requirement by 21 hours and earn JD and MUP degrees in approximately four calendar years.
Admission A student planning to pursue both degrees must submit a separate application and must be admitted to both the MUP degree program and the Brandeis School of Law. Applicants should be aware that separate admissions tests may be required, and that separate admissions criteria will be applied. Applicants should consult the admissions requirements of each academic program. A student who is already enrolled in the first year of one program may apply to the other program and, if admitted to that program, begin the first-year of the second program in the following academic year.
Curriculum Students may begin the dual degree program in either the MUP program or the Brandeis School of Law. In the first year of study, the participating student will follow the full-time academic schedule of the program in which the student enrolls first. In the second year, the student will complete the first-year coursework in the other program.
After completion of first-year curricula in both programs, the student may combine law and urban planning courses during his or her third and fourth years. Careful curriculum planning is required. Some courses in each school are sequenced or have pre-requisites and must be taken in a specific order.
Urban Planning Courses Counting Toward the JD The Brandeis School of Law will allow students in the dual degree program to apply nine credit hours of approved courses in urban planning as electives toward the JD degree. The Brandeis School of Law will accept each of these urban planning courses on a pass/fail basis, provided that the student earn at least a “B” (3.0) in the course. The following MUP courses are approved to be counted as electives toward the JD degree: PLAN 501 Urban Environmental Quality
Law Courses Counting Toward the MUP The urban planning program will allow students in the dual degree program to apply nine credit hours of approved courses in law as electives toward the MUP degree. The urban planning program will accept each of these law courses on a pass/fail basis, provided that the student earn at least a “C” (2.0) in the course. The following JD courses are approved to be counted as electives toward the MUP degree: Administrative Law
Land Use and Planning Law Requirement In addition to the above cross-application of urban planning credits toward the JD degree and of law credits toward the MUP degree, students in the dual degree program shall be required to take Land Use and Planning Law, a 3-credit interdisciplinary course cross-listed in both law and urban planning. Land Use and Planning Law shall count as a 3-credit graded elective toward the JD degree, and likewise shall count as a 3-credit core course toward the MUP degree.
Degree Completion and Graduation Students may find it necessary to complete some of their coursework during the summer in order to finish both programs in four calendar years. Students shall not be awarded either degree until the completion of both programs.
Contact Details David M. Simpson, Ph.D., AICP, Program Director Professor Tony Arnold
Additional Information MUP Program
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