Juris Doctor/Master of Applied Politics

This joint degree, which is the only one of its kind in the country, combines the two degrees while allowing students to complete requirements with 18 fewer credits than taking the degrees separately.

To pursue this degree program, students must be admitted to the School of Law and the Graduate School for the Department of Political Science/Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics.

Degree Information:

• 109 credits
• Full-time or Part-time
• Use My Degree Progress Report (My DPR) to review academic progress to graduation
• Contact: Dr. David Cohen, Director of Applied Politics, dbcohen@uakron.edu  

Most students will complete the equivalent of the first year of law school and then begin taking courses in both programs.  

Degree Requirements:

• J.D. Required Courses: 44 credits

• J.D. Elective Courses: 32 credits

• Joint Law School/Political Science Course: 3 credits
  • POLIT/LAWX:655: Campaign and Election Law 

•  MAP Required Courses: 18 credits
  • POLIT:570: Fundamentals of Political Strategy (3 credits)
  • POLIT:571: Fundamentals of Electoral Messaging (3 credits)
  • POLIT:600: Scope and Theories of Political Science (3 credits)
  • POLIT:672: Seminar: Political Influences and Organizations (3 credits)
  • POLIT:695: Internship in Government and Politics (3 credits minimum)
    • Additional internship credits will be applied toward elective credits

• MAP Electives Courses: 6 credits
  • POLIT:502: Politics and the Media (3 credits)
  • POLIT:540: Survey Research Methods (3 credits)
  • POLIT:572: Campaign Finance (3 credits
  • POLIT:574: Political Opinion, Behavior & Electoral Politics (3 credits)
  • POLIT:577: Lobbying (3 credits)
  • POLIT:620: Comparative Politics (3 credits)
  • POLIT:630: Seminar in National Politics (3 credits)
  • POLIT:668: Seminar in Public Policy Agendas & Decisions (3 credits)
  • POLIT:690: Special Topics in Political Science (1 - 3 credits)
  • POLIT:695: Internship in Government & Politics (3 credits)
  • COMM:575: Political Communication (3 credits)

Applied Politics Portfolio and Defense

• Portfolio contains:
  • At least two major papers prepared for required courses
  • An applied politics capstone project assigned by the student's advisor
• Pass an oral defense of the applied politics portfolio

Descriptions for Political Science graduate classes.

Questions about the Juris Doctor/Master of Applied Politics program?

If you have further questions about earning a Master of Applied Politics, please contact us. We are happy to hear from you. Submit your questions below, and let us know how we can help.

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Contact:

• Dr. David Cohen, Director of Applied Politics Program and Academic Advisor, dbcohen@uakron.edu