Southwestern Law Partnership with CSU Dominguez Hills Offers Two New Degree Programs

California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and Southwestern Law School have partnered on two exciting new programs for undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing careers in law: a joint J.D./M.A. program, and a 3+3 program through which students can earn their B.A. and J.D. degrees in six years.

The joint J.D./M.A. Program enables graduate students to complete a J.D. degree at Southwestern while concurrently earning an M.A. degree in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding from CSUDH. The 3+3 Option Program allows selected CSUDH students who meet program requirements to enter law school at Southwestern after completing just three years of undergraduate study at CSUDH.

“Partnering with Southwestern Law School on two unique options to the Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding program will only add to the high regard the program currently enjoys," CSUDH President Mildred García said. "To be able to offer graduate students a concurrent J.D. and undergraduate students the possibility of a law degree in six years are truly amazing educational opportunities, and both are shining examples of the outstanding academic endeavors Cal State Dominguez Hills provides to its students."

In his announcement about the new programs, Southwestern Law Dean Bryant Garth said, “This new collaboration presents a splendid opportunity for Southwestern to expand our law students’ academic experiences and credentials, and to encourage promising undergraduate students from a wide range of backgrounds to pursue a legal education at Southwestern.”

Garcia and Professor A. Marco Turk, the director of the Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding program in the College of Arts and Humanities at CSUDH, were instrumental in developing the partnership. He will supervise the joint programs for CSUDH. A 1960 graduate of Southwestern who served for many years on the law school's adjunct faculty, Turk is a former Fulbright Senior Scholar in Conflict Resolution (Cyprus) and a member of the mediation panel for the California Court of Appeal.

“I feel that such a joint degree program will be extremely advantageous to our respective participating graduates in today's competitive professional world, Turk said regarding the JD/MA program. “It will give them a 'leg-up' in terms of sought-after job opportunities and possibilities for meaningful community service.”

In the future, the two institutions may also benefit from joint research activities and publications, applications for research funding, co-sponsorship of seminars and academic conclaves, sharing of course materials and curricula, and other cooperative efforts. The relationship with CSUDH will also serve as a model for Southwestern affiliations with other academic and professional entities.

To learn more about the new joint programs, call CSUDH at (310) 243-3237.

- Amy Bentley-Smith