IU McKinney and Purdue unveil new joint degree program

Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law is partnering with Purdue University to create the first agricultural economics and law program in the nation, the Indianapolis law school has announced.

Students who complete the program will receive a master of jurisprudence from IU McKinney and a master of science in agricultural economics from Purdue University.

“We are delighted to partner with Purdue on this important initiative as it will distinguish graduates in the dynamic agricultural law industry and equip them with the tools they need to be effective change makers and leaders in this growing field,” said IU McKinney vice dean Cynthia Adams.

Students enrolled in the new program will earn the MS degree after completing 21 credits from Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics and 15 credits from IU McKinney. Then they will receive the MJ degree after they complete an additional 15 law credits from the law school.

The MS in agricultural economics consists primarily of online courses with three required periods of in-person residency. The MJ degree program will be taught through evening, online and hybrid courses.

“This new program will provide students with a multidisciplinary education in agricultural economics and law and equip them to make creative and significant contributions to their companies, the food and agribusiness industries and food and agricultures policies,” and Karen Plaut, the dean of the Purdue College of Agriculture.

Both programs are now accepting applications for the program. Prospective students must separately apply to and be accepted by both universities. The application deadline for Purdue University is March 1, 2021 and the deadline for IU McKinney is May 1, 2021.

For more information about the MJ-MS in agricultural law program, please contact Miki Pike Hamstra, IU McKinney assistant dean of graduate programs, [email protected].