School of Law

School of Law

Dual Degrees

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The UMKC School of Law offers opportunities to pursue multiple degrees in a compressed time frame through our dual-degree options. Students interested in these programs must be admitted to both degree programs in order to participate.

J.D. and Master of Laws in Taxation

Our broad-based curriculum provides students with an in-depth knowledge of taxation, excellent research skills, and the development of the necessary practical skills to become outstanding tax attorneys. UMKC offers an LL.M. in Taxation and an LL.M., General with Estate Planning Emphasis.

In addition to the excellent faculty, our program offers a number of benefits, including an accelerated course of study and affordability. The combined program allows students to earn an LL.M. on an accelerated basis, generally requiring only one additional semester beyond the J.D. degree.

  • J.D./LL.M. students must complete at least 24 credit hours of required and elective courses. Up to 10 credit hours (12 credits with the permission of the Graduate Studies Committee) of LL.M. courses taken at UMKC while a J.D. student may be applied to the 24-credit-hour requirement
  • Visiting J.D./LL.M. students may complete as few as 18 credit hours in graduate courses
  • Cumulative GPA of at least 2.70
  • Enroll in a minimum of four credit hours each semester
  • Successfully complete all coursework within three years

In order to apply for admission, prospective students must submit an LL.M. admission application, application fee, and official law school and undergraduate transcripts. Admission to the LL.M. (in Taxation) and LL.M. (General, with Estate Planning Emphasis) are normally limited to applicants who have already attained a J.D. degree with a grade point average of at least 2.7.

Students who are applying to the J.D. program may apply to enter the Combined J.D./LL.M. program with their J.D. application. Current UMKC law students may apply at any time. No LL.M. courses may be taken until the student has completed all first-year courses.

Transfer students

Students at other law schools may apply to transfer to the UMKC School of Law and enroll in the J.D./LL.M. program as they pursue a J.D. at UMKC.

Visiting students

Alternatively, students may apply to the program in their fourth semester of law school and enroll at UMKC for their fifth and sixth semester as visiting students. After receiving the J.D. degree from the student’s home law school, the qualified student may continue at UMKC as an LL.M. student. Students must ensure the courses taken at UMKC will be credited at their home law school.

Because the LL.M. program is a secondary degree program, no person can be formally accepted into the program until the successful completion of the J.D. degree. Formal acceptance will depend upon whether a student has met the minimum eligibility requirements to enroll in either LL.M. program.

There is no formal application deadline, but early submission of application is recommended.

J.D. and Master of Public Administration

The UMKC School of Law and the Henry W. Bloch School of Management partner to offer a joint J.D. and MPA degree. Students who earn both degrees choose to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in state and local government, community organizations and administration roles.

By participating in this program, students can reduce the number of semesters needed to complete both degrees. Students advance in each school toward its respective degree and may apply for graduation to either school upon meeting the requirements, whether the requirements for the other school’s degree have been met.

There are no special admission requirements for entry into the joint J.D./MPA program. Students apply following the application process for each school. Students may take advantage of the program provided that, by the end of their first academic year (or two years in the case of a law student taking a part-time schedule), admission has been secured to both degree programs.

Students should develop a planned program of courses and submit the plan to each school for approval. The plan must meet the J.D. and MPA degree requirements.

  • Students must complete 91 credit hours, 81 of which must be in law school courses. At least 71 must be in courses requiring attendance in regularly scheduled class sessions in the law school.
  • Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
    • The grade in transferred courses from the MPA program will not transfer into the J.D. cumulative GPA. Instead, the course grade will be converted to credit, provided the grades are at least C (2.0) or better in 5000-level coursework.
    • If the grade received is insufficient, the course will not be accepted toward the required 91 hours.
  • Complete all required courses
  • At least 24 months in studying for the J.D. degree
  • Successfully complete all coursework within five years

  • Completion of 33 credit hours: MPA core courses (21 credit hours), electives from the Law School (12 credit hours). For those where an MPA internship is required, the program is 36 credit hours. 
  • A cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Grades of B (3.0) or better in 80% of the MPA courses completed. Due to differing grading standards, transferred law credits are not included in the 80% calculation. 

Applications for admission are accepted beginning September 1 prior to the year of entrance. Applications submitted after March 1 are less likely to be accepted because of the limited number of available seats each year.

J.D. and Master of Business Administration

The UMKC School of Law and the Henry W. Bloch School of Management partner to offer a joint J.D. and MBA degree. Students who earn both degrees are particularly well-positioned to successfully pursue a wide range of career opportunities as business owners, highly valued employees, or as professional advisers to business clients.

By participating in this program, students can reduce the number of semesters needed in order to complete both degrees. Students advance in each school toward its respective degree and may apply for graduation to either school upon meeting the requirements, whether the requirements for the other school’s degree have been met.

There are no special admission requirements for entry into the joint J.D./MBA program. Students apply following the application process for each school. Students may take advantage of the program provided that, by the end of their first academic year (or two years in the case of a part-time or flex law student), admission has been secured to both degree programs.

Students should develop a planned program of courses and submit the plan to each school for approval. The plan must meet the J.D. and MBA degree requirements.

  • Students must complete 91 credit hours, 81 of which must be in law school courses. At least 71 must be in courses requiring attendance in regularly scheduled class sessions in the law school.
  • Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
    • The grade in transferred courses from the MBA program will not transfer into the J.D. cumulative GPA. Instead, the course grade will be converted to credit, provided the grades are at least C (2.0) or better in 500-level coursework. If the grade received is insufficient, the course will not be accepted toward the required 91 hours.
  • Complete all required courses, including:
    • Research and writing requirement
    • Jurisprudential requirement
    • Professional skills requirement
  • Successfully complete all course work within five years

  • Completion of 36 hours: MBA courses (24 credit hours), electives from the Law School (12 credit hours). 
  • Grades of B (3.0) or better in 80 percent of the MBA courses completed. Transferred law credits courses are not included in the 80 percent calculation. Courses must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better to count toward the MBA program.
  • GMAT/GRE test scores or GMAT waiver if eligible

  • Spring semester entrance: December 1
  • Fall semester entrance: July 15