Program Structure

Typically the MS and JD are pursued separately. The JD requires 90 credits, which can be completed on a full-time basis within three years. At the Schmidt Labor Research Center, the MS program requires 39 credits, which can be completed on a full-time basis within two years.

A student matriculated in the joint program will transfer some credits taken in one of the courses of study to help satisfy the overall credit requirements of the other degree program as well. As indicated below, the School of Law will accept 15 labor relations and human resources credits as transfer credits. The dual degree student would only need to register and pay for 75 law credits.

The Schmidt Labor Research Center will accept 9 law credits toward the overall total of 39, so that the student in the joint program would only need to register and pay for 30 labor relations and human resources credits.

The effect of these credit transfers would be to reduce the overall time needed to complete both degrees from five years to four.

LRHR Credits

The following 15 credits, which are all part of the MS core curriculum, may be transferred toward satisfaction of the 90 credit graduation requirement at Roger Williams University School of Law.

  • LRS/MGT 500 Labor Relations and Human Resources
  • LRS/ECN 526 Economics of the Labor Market
  • LRS/PSC 521 Comparative Labor Relations Systems
  • LRS 542 Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
  • LRS 580 Professional Seminar in Labor Relations and Human Resources

Law Credits

Law Courses Eligible for Transfer to Labor Relations and Human Resources
A total of 9 credits may be transferred from the JD program toward satisfaction of the 39 credit graduation requirement of the MS program. The following courses are eligible for transfer credit.

  • LAW 631 Administrative Law
  • LAW 820 Employment Law *
  • LAW 822 Labor Law **

* Substitute for LRS 531
** Substitute for LRS 541

The jointly matriculated student would be required to satisfy the School of Law Graduation Writing Requirement and the comprehensive exam requirement for the MS degree at the Schmidt Labor Research Center.

 

Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.