Officials of Western Michigan University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School announced a partnership that will combine the two schools’ resources.
Western Michigan President Elson S. Floyd met with Dean Don LeDuc of Cooley on Monday to sign an agreement that will enable students to receive a joint degree in public administration and law. Law classes will be held at Cooley, 300 S. Capitol Ave. in Lansing, and public administration courses will be offered at Western’s Lansing campus, 6105 W. St. Joseph Highway.
The two schools announced their plans in October, but Western Michigan Regional Director Gus Breymann said the planning started in December 2000. Breymann said the program was easy to put together because of the compatibility of the two schools.
“We have had an absolute astounding working relationship for the last year,” Breymann said. “It’s just been excellent - we look forward to it continuing.”
Breymann said he believes a big advantage for students who will enroll in the program will be that nine hours of credits will be waived.
Other officials agree with Breymann and also point out that students will learn more information quicker, despite having to do less course work.
Ann Miller, associate dean of planning and programs at Cooley, said the program will prepare students for leadership roles.
“It cuts the time to get both degrees,” she said. “We’ll have coordinating service between both schools. (Students) will be able to market their degree.”
Students who want to apply for the program will still have to pay to apply at both schools. However, because they will be admitted into both schools, the students won’t have to worry about duplicating classes, Cooley spokeswoman Sharon Matchette said.
“They just want to provide more opportunities for their students,” she said.
Officials at the Detroit College of Law at MSU said the Western Michigan-Cooley decision is a good one for the two institutions.
“I think that from a teaching standpoint it’s a great opportunity for law students,” said Michael Lawrence, associate dean for academic affairs of DCL.
He said today’s market requires institutions to look for these opportunities.
“I do think this is a future trend,” he said. “From a market standpoint, it makes sense to do these sorts of things.”
