南達科他大學

The School of Law offers a joint degree program with education school of the University of South Dakota leading to the juris doctor degree and a masters degree in education administration. The Master of Arts in Educational Administration provides law students with the opportunity to become knowledgeable in the field of elementary through post-secondary education as a discipline for possible legal work with boards of education, school districts, legislation pertaining to education, school finance, administration and the organizational structure of education. The program also allows students to gain greater perspective in the field of education for their role in school and community activities as lay citizens interested in education, and for leadership roles as school board members and as lay and citizen members of school communities during their professional careers. The joint program also enables participants to develop a philosophical and historical perspective of education from a local, state, national and international level, and to become familiar with recent and current issues, as well as problems and changes in the field. In most instances, law students will be involved in courses and experiences with other masters candidates who have different backgrounds, preparation and professional goals allowing an exchange of ideas and learning which will enhance the professional development of both groups. The Master of Arts in Educational Administration requires completion of 32 credit hours. The School of Education will accept 12 semester hours of law credits. The remaining 20 semester hours must be taken in the School of Education. The mission of the University of South Dakota School of Law is to prepare lawyers and judges for the federal, state, and American Indian justice systems in South Dakota and to provide South Dakota residents and other students an affordable legal education imparting the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for the practice of law or other careers in a culturally diverse and global environment. Students at the Law School are a highly selective group that has demonstrated intellectual aptitude and personal characteristics desirable in the legal profession, including a desire to serve others. A primary objective of the Law School curriculum is to develop analytical and other skills that are fundamental for the legal profession. The faculty employs a variety of pedagogical techniques to achieve that objective, including Socratic dialogue, the case method, lecture, and simulation. The curriculum is designed to familiarize students with basic legal doctrines and to instill in them the values of the legal profession and the judicial system. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of co-curricular and extracurricular activities at local, regional, and national levels.