School of Theology and Ministry and the School of Law

School of Theology and Ministry and Law Joint Degree Program

School of Theology and Ministry
Mark S. Markuly, PhD, Dean
Faustino Cruz, SM, PhD, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Michael Trice, PhD, Assistant Dean for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue

School of Law
Annette Clark, MD, JD, Dean
Paul Holland, JD, LL.M, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Donna Claxton Deming, JD, Associate Dean for Student Affairs

Seattle University’s School of Theology and Ministry and School of Law Joint Degree Program is designed to allow students interested in obtaining both the Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership (MATL) and the Juris Doctor (JD) degrees to complete the two degrees in less time than if obtained independently outside the program. Full-time students are able to complete in less time because specified courses taken within the School of Theology and Ministry may count toward the JD degree and specified courses taken in the School of Law may count toward the MATL degree. The joint degree program is also available to part-time students.

Graduates of the joint degree will combine their ability and desire to lead with their understanding and practice of law. Students will integrate their processes of meaning-making with additional formation in spiritual practices leading to depth. In addition they will develop skills toward leading communities to seek the “common good.” Building on previous vocations and experiences, students will explore ways of bringing groups to new social consciousness, global understanding, and personal interconnectedness. Graduates of this program will transfer their skills and knowledge to multiple marketplaces including government, nonprofit organizations, mediation consultations, and international peacemaking groups. Through the combined focus of the JD and MATL, graduates will address issues of reconciliation, dispute resolution, and conflict negotiation through the multiple lenses that global contexts require. Traditionally the JD offers graduates the opportunity to realize a variety of leadership roles. This joint degree intentionally addresses specific leadership knowledge bases and skill-sets while equipping graduates to integrate the multiple intelligences effective leaders demonstrate.

Admission Requirements for the Joint Degree Program

Students are required to be admitted separately to both the School of Law and the School of Theology and Ministry and should consult the Graduate Catalog or the website for the specific admissions requirements for each school. Students may be admitted to both schools before starting in the joint program; alternatively, students may seek admission to the other program during their first year at Seattle University. In any case, students will be expected to meet the respective school’s admissions deadlines for the coming year.

Length of Program

The length of time required to complete the joint degree program is four years for full-time students. The length of time required for completion of the joint degree program may be longer if the student is part-time

Credit Requirements

Students in the joint program are required to complete 90 semester credits for the JD degree and 54 quarter credits for the MATL degree. In the joint degree program, students can satisfy the requirements for each degree by using a specified number of crossover credits to be chosen from a list of approved courses in each school. This allows the student, whether full-time or part-time, to complete the two degrees in a shorter period of time than if the student sought to obtain the JD and MATL degrees independently. Of the 90 semester credits required for the JD degree, 12 semester credits can be satisfied by 18 quarter credits chosen from a list of specified courses from the School of Theology and Ministry. (One quarter credit is the equivalent of .67 semester credits. So, for example, a 3 quarter credit crossover MATL course could be used to satisfy 2 semester credits for the JD degree). Of the 54 quarter credits required for the MATL degree, 42 are required credits and 12 are elective. A student enrolled in the joint program may satisfy the 12 elective quarter credits with credits earned in the School of Law from a list of approved courses.

Joint JD/MATL Degree Summary

• Students must be admitted to both programs under the programs’ standard requirements.

• Students may be admitted to the joint degree program before beginning any studies and may then take their first year in either program. Alternatively, students in their first year in either the School of Law or MATL program may apply for admission to the joint degree program during the fall term of their first year at Seattle University.

• Candidates for the joint JD/MATL program must satisfy all of the requirements for the MATL degree and for the JD degree.

• During the first two semesters in law school, joint degree students may not take courses in the School of Theology and Ministry.

• The JD degree for joint JD/MATL students requires 90 semester credits, consisting of at least 78 semester credits earned in the law school and up to 12 semester credit equivalents (18 quarter credits) earned in the MATL program.

• The MATL degree for joint JD/MATL students requires 54 quarter credits, consisting of 42 required credits and 12 elective credits. The twelve elective quarter credits (8 semester credits) may be earned in the School of Law.

• The following courses may be used to satisfy elective credits toward the JD and MATL degrees. Not all courses are offered each quarter, semester, or year, and some courses may require particular sequencing or have prerequisites. In addition to the courses listed below, students may, upon approval, receive crossover credit for other appropriate courses that may be offered from time to time. Crossover credit will not be granted for courses that are substantially similar to courses already taken in the other school.

Crossover Courses for Joint Degree Program

The following courses can be used to satisfy elective credits toward the juris doctor and master of arts in transformational leadership degrees. Not all courses are offered each quarter, semester, or year, and some courses may require particular sequencing or have prerequisites. Crossover credit will not be granted for courses that are substantially similar to courses already taken in the other school.

School of Law

Administrative Law (ADMN 300)

Advanced Topics in Health Law (HLTH 350)

Advanced Topics in International Law (INTL 410)

Asian Americans and the Law (JURS 367)

Civil Rights Litigation (CNLW 410)

Bioethics and the Law (HLTH 300)

Capital Punishment Seminar (CRIM 360)

Child, Family and State (FAML 305)

Client Counseling and Negotiation (ADLR 301)

Community Development and Entrepreneurship Clinic (BUSN 400)

Comparative Law: Latin American Legal Systems (INTL 350)

Comparative Law: The Middle East (INTL 350)

Consumer Law (COMM 310)

Corporate Governance (BUSN 340)

Critical Perspectives on Transgender Law (JURS 372)

Disability Law (DSBL 300)

Dispute Resolution (ADLR 300)

Education Law (EDUL 300)

Employment Discrimination (EMPL 315)

Employment Law (EMPL 300)

Environmental Justice Seminary (ENVL 380)

Ethics, Law and Catholic Social Thought (JURS 405)

Family Dissolution and Related Issues (FAML 315)

Family Formation/Recognition and Related Constitutional Issues (FAML 310)

Federal Indian Law (INDL 300)

Gender and Justice Seminar (JURS 320)

Health Law (HLTH 305)

Housing Law and Policy Seminary (HOUS 375)

Immigration Law (IMMG 300)

Immigration Law Clinic (IMMG 400)

Indian Law and Natural Resources (INDL 315)

International Criminal Law (CRIM 380)

International Environmental Law (ENVL 340)

International Human Rights Clinic (INTL 402)

International Law of Human Rights (INTL 305)

International Trade (INTL 340)

Labor Law Public Sector (EMPL 310)

Latinas/os and the Law (JURS 380)

Laws and Economics Seminar (JURS 335)

Law, Policy and Mental Health (MENT 300)

Law and Religion (JURS 365)

Law and Sexuality (JURS 340)

Legislative Seminary (GOVT 315)

Mediation, Advocacy and Collaborative Law (ADLR 302)

Mediation Clinic (ADLR 410)

Medical Fraud (HLTH 400)

Municipal Law (GOVT 305)

Natural Resources Law (ENVL 365)

Not for Profit Organization Clinic (TAXL 400)

Poverty Law (POVL 300)

Public Benefits Law (POVL 310)

Public International Law (INTL 300)

Public Health Law (HLTH 375)

Race and the Law (JURS 360)

Sentencing/Plea Bargaining (CRIM 350)

Tax Policy Seminary (TAXL 360)

Taxation of Charitable (Non-Profit) Organizations (TAXL 325)

United States Races and the Justice System (JURS 360)

Water Law (ENVL 350)

Workplace Health and Safety (EMPL 330)

School of Theology and Ministry

Conflict Management (STMM 5500)

Pastoral Care Skills (STMM 5530)

Transformational Leadership (STML 5610)

Spiritual Values and Meaning in the Public Square (STML 5640)

Integration of Transformational Leadership for Justice I (STML 5690)

Integration of Transformational Leadership for Justice II (STML 5730)

Social Analysis: Skills for Unpacking Society’s Problems (STML 5850)