September 12, 2006

OU and Cooley Law School Extend Collaboration with Degree Partnership Programs

Back Row: Dean for International, Graduate and Extended Programs William Weiner, Oakland University VP Virinder Moudgil, and Dean of the Auburn Hills campus John Nussbaumer. Front Row: President Don LeDuc and Oakland University President Gary Russi.

Oakland University announced today that it will further its collaboration with the Thomas M. Cooley Law School by offering two new degree partnership programs. Soon, students will be able to pursue an Oakland University master’s degree in public administration (MPA) or business administration (MBA) while pursuing a Cooley juris doctor (JD) degree, saving students both time and money, according to Cooley Associate Dean for International, Graduate and Extended Programs William Weiner.

“The two programs permit students to obtain their degrees more quickly and efficiently,” said Weiner. “Students can save 12 credits of time and tuition by participating in the new programs.”

The new degree partnership programs are also another way to successfully build on the collaborative arrangement between Cooley and OU to benefit students and the area economy.

“Sharing knowledge and resources in this way is good for our students and good for Michigan. The state is looking to higher education for leadership during this time of economic recovery, and through partnerships like this one we are using all of our resources efficiently and effectively,” said Virinder Moudgil, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Oakland University.

In July, Cooley announced that it would establish a full, three-year JD degree program on Oakland University’s campus in Rochester. Previously, Cooley offered 15 first-year credits at OU, requiring students to complete the remainder of their studies at Cooley’s Lansing campus. The new degree partnership MPA/JD and MBA/JD programs announced today extend the relationship between OU and Cooley. Students in these programs, which begin immediately, will be able to earn master’s degrees from OU and the JD degree from Cooley, the largest law school in the country.

“These programs give students the opportunity to jumpstart their careers, because they can get out into the workplace more quickly than if they completed each program separately,” said Moudgil,. “It is another way that we are enhancing the value of an Oakland University education.”

Oakland University, located in Oakland County, Mich., is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as one of the nation’s 82 doctoral/research universities. The university offers 114 bachelor’s degree programs and 87 graduate degree and certificate programs. Dedicated to delivering a distinctive undergraduate experience complemented by the strength of its graduate offerings and research accomplishments, Oakland University is organized into the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business Administration, Education and Human Services, Engineering and Computer Science, Health Sciences, Nursing, and The Honors College. Visit Oakland University on the Web at www.oakland.edu.

Founded in 1972, Cooley Law School is the largest law school in the country. Cooley has three campuses across Michigan; its campus in downtown Lansing, its downtown Grand Rapids campus in West Michigan and its Rochester/Oakland University campus in southeast Michigan. In addition to the juris doctor program, students at Cooley can also pursue a master of laws degree in taxation or intellectual property. Find out more about Cooley Law School at www.cooley.edu.