Campbell University representatives visited N.C. State Wednesday to talk about a partnership that allows students to complete both a JD and an MBA degree in four years.
The partnership, which went into effect in fall 2011, allows graduate students to pursue a dual degree in law and business administration in eight semesters instead of ten.
Because it’s a dual degree between universities, students interested would find themselves taking classes at two locations.
“Physically, you would probably be at N.C. State for three of the eight semesters and at the law school five of the eight semesters,” said Timothy R. Zinnecker, associate dean for academic affairs and professor at Campbell University School of Law.
However, despite having classes on two campuses, the location of the Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law on Hillsborough Street is a convenient location for many students. Students in the program said the location was also a big reason why they chose Campbell University.
Getting into the JD/MBA program is not a simple process and requires planning a year in advance. However, students in the program said it was worth it.
“The only reason I got my BP job was because of my law degree with the MBA,” said Chris Reinhard, a N.C. State graduate student in the finance MBA program and Campbell’s JD program.
In order to get into the program, students have to apply to both universities, take the LSAT and pass a background check.
“If you received a speeding ticket, you must disclose it and provide documentation, even if it was dismissed,” said Jannelle Sumner, assistant director of admissions at Campbell University School of Law. “After graduation, the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners is going to do a very extensive background check, and they will pull up your law application. If there is something missing, it can be an unpleasant process, so we want to make sure your file is complete.”
To make the application process a bit smoother, those that took the LSAT do not need to take the GMAT. Additionally, the work experience requirement for the MBA program is waived.
“Nine times out of ten, you will be the youngest people in the class,” Reinhard said. “That’s one great thing about the JD/MBA program: they will waive the work experience.”
However, despite the benefits, the program comes at a price. Currently, it costs $9,089 a semester at N.C. State to pursue an MBA degree and $36,500 a year at Campbell, putting the total for the program at about $118,517 for four years.
According to Sumner, about 70 percent of students receive some sort of scholarship, although many end up taking additional loans.
The median G.P.A. for current first year law students at Campbell school is a 3.3 and the median LSAT score is 152 with a lot of emphasis placed on it.
“LSAT is king in receiving grants and scholarships,” Sumner said. “A two or three point increase on the LSAT can save you tens of thousands of dollars in law school. It can be a pretty big deal and is worth a lot of time and multiple takes.”
However, the program is still young and it remains to be seen how it works out for students.
“We have had 11 total JD/MBAs, including three who are currently taking MBA classes,” said Jen Arthur, director of admissions at N.C. State’s Jenkins Graduate School. “The dual degree option just started in fall 2011, so there have not been any graduates yet.”
According to Arthur, the admission rate is approximately 70 percent for students currently enrolled at Campbell law school.
Despite the costs and the difficult process of getting in, current students in the program are happy with their decision.
“All three of us started at Campbell first, but then we came to N.C. State,” said Ryan Callahan, an N.C. State graduate student in the MBA/JD program. “Most of us did the N.C. State program in 3 semesters and knocked out that portion of the degree and then came back to Campbell full-time. Many of the internships I applied for were interested because of the JD/MBA. I got an internship with Caterpillar last summer because of it.”
Two students from N.C. State went to the session, both expressing serious interest in applying, asking questions about the application process and deadlines.
“The two programs complement each other very nicely. Lawyers will be more successful if they have good business foundations and folks in business will make better decisions if they have some familiarity with the legal principles,” Zinnecker said.
