Thomas M. Cooley Law School and Western Michigan University recognize that there is a close association between the law and public administration. Students in a J. D. program and an M.P.A. program can benefit from the curricula of both disciplines.

From a practical standpoint, the joint programs allow participating students to transfer six semester hours of credit from one degree program to the other, resulting in a total course reduction of twelve semester hours if both degrees are completed.

Thomas M. Cooley Law School courses are offered at the law school facilities in Rochester, Lansing and Grand Rapids. M.P.A. courses are offered at WMU's Lansing, Battle Creek, and Kalamazoo campuses.

You may apply simultaneously or sequentially. It is recommended that you submit your first application to the program that is of primary interest to you.

Regardless when you apply, you must take the minimum number of credit hours in the first program before you begin taking courses in the second one if you are admitted to that program.

WMU School of Public Affairs and Administration >

No. Thomas M. Cooley Law School and Western Michigan University’s MPA program maintain independent admissions policies, standards, and committees.

As a result, it is possible that a student’s application for admission will be approved by one institution and denied by the other program.

For more information concerning the admissions standards and processes for both programs consult the web pages of the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and WMU’s School of Public Affairs and Administration.

Yes. All J.D. requirements should be fulfilled within six years of completing the first law course.

Similarly, Western Michigan University policies require that all MPA requirements must be completed within six years of enrolling in the first MPA course.

Exceptions to these six-year completion limits may sometimes be granted by both institutions under justifiable circumstances.

The order in which you complete your law and MPA degree requirements is your decision in consultation with your program advisors.

You may complete one degree before starting the second, complete both sets of program requirements by the same date, or any other combination of coursework that suits your individual circumstances.

Students are urged to avoid course loads at both institutions that might jeopardize their status in good academic standing.

At Cooley Law School, a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to remain in good academic standing. At WMU, a student must maintain a 3.0 or higher.

MPA alumni may certainly apply for admission to the Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s J.D. Program. However, if all MPA program requirements are completed before matriculation in the JD program, none of the MPA credits can be transferred to the JD degree.

Students who are currently enrolled in the MPA program and have not completed their core courses, the legal dimensions concentration requirement, or six credit hours of concentration electives have two options. They may transfer up to six semester hours of credit with advisor approval, or they may secure a waiver of all or part of those six hours in their WMU permanent programs. For these transfers or waivers to take place, students must have already matriculated at Cooley Law School and must have a signed, approved "Statement of Intent" on file at both institutions.

All initial questions concerning the program requirements or the transfer of credits should be referred to your Cooley advisor or the Office of International, Graduate and Extended Programs, or your MPA advisor.

During a given semester, you may receive aid at only one institution. However, you may apply at the Western Michigan University Financial Aid Office during semesters/session in which you are taking most of your MPA courses and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School Financial Aid Office during the semesters in which you are completing most of your law courses.

Cooley Financial Aid Office >

Visit the web pages for the Thomas M. Cooley Law School and the School of Public Affairs and Administration.

Students are encouraged to consult with their designated academic advisors and to assure that a signed "Statement of Intent" is included in their student folders at both institutions if admitted to both programs.