Any info on joint degrees (UP/JD or UP/MPA)

[unless]

I am a first-year planning student and, given that my main area of interest is in urban public policy (as it relates to land use, transportation, and regional planning), I was thinking of supplementing my education with another degree, either a JD or MPA. Is there anyone here who has done/is doing one of these joint degrees, and if so, could you share your motivations for pursuing so many years of graduate education, and what you think it will do for you that the simple Masters in Urban Planning wouldn't.

[Hink]

I am a first-year planning student and, given that my main area of interest is in urban public policy (as it relates to land use, transportation, and regional planning), I was thinking of supplementing my education with another degree, either a JD or MPA. Is there anyone here who has done/is doing one of these joint degrees, and if so, could you share your motivations for pursuing so many years of graduate education, and what you think it will do for you that the simple Masters in Urban Planning wouldn't.

If you go back about a page or two in the Student Louge you will find a slew of answers to that question. I believe we had that question along with some other options for joint degrees. Hope that helps.

[RadioAgony]

what i've heard as of late is that MPA programs often focus on either policy or the real nuts and bolts of public sector admin. apparently my school is not very good for the former. so, if you're interested in policy, make sure that's the bent of your school's curriculum. otherwise, you might be disappointed.

[Suburb Repairman]

I've seen several schools that offer joint MPA/JD degrees. That JD degree can be particularly useful if you want to do private sector work. Several of the biggie public consulting firms like having planners with JDs on the staff to draft regulations. The MPA comes in handy for the policy formulation side of things as well as administrative procedures. Tack that on to your planning undergrad and that sounds like a potent combonation. Check some of the back threads where this was discussed previously. I'm not sure if I mentioned it on there, but St. Mary's University in San Antonio offers a joint MPA/JD degree. Thier law school is beginning to rebuild their reputation and the university has received positive marks from US News & World Report.