M.B.A. with a Concentration in Professional Practice Management
DENVER, Colorado – December 4, 2014
Jerome Alley, President of William Howard Taft University has announced that applications are being accepted for enrollment in a new graduate program developed for recent law school graduates. The M.B.A. program with a concentration in Professional Practice Management is believed to be the first program of its kind – designed specifically for newly admitted attorneys who are facing employment challenges.
The Program combines a traditional M.B.A. curriculum with webinars and assignments of interest to attorneys who would like to successfully operate a small or solo law practice. Alley believes the Program will attract a special type of student. He noted, “While some law school graduates have strong business skills, others particularly those with liberal arts degrees, have very little business knowledge. These are the types of individuals that will benefit most from the program.”
Alley acknowledged that the demand for such a program is uncertain. “We know that there are thousands who can potentially benefit. But how many will be willing continue in school? Cash flow will be a consideration for many, but most students will be able to defer repayment of their current student loans while enrolled.”
Michael Sullivan, a 2013 graduate of Willamette University College of Law agreed. “I’ve been fortunate enough to land a position with the Legal Aid Society. But many of my friends are under a great deal of pressure. I expect that this type of program will be attractive to them.”
The Program was the inspiration of Taft University System Chancellor, David L. Boyd. Boyd, an attorney himself and a Trustee on the Orange County Board of Education, said “The Great Recession of 2007 resulted in a sea change for law students and newly admitted attorneys. Overnight, for most law students, the days of multiple job offers with six figure salaries vanished. While the Great Recession has ended, thousands of law school graduates have been left to sink or swim on their own. Unfortunately many are sinking in a sea of debt and low income. But some, those who have the skills to run a small or solo practice, are thriving.”
Classes, all presented online, will begin in February 2015. Alley said the present plan is to limit enrollment to 25 students at that time increasing to 100 in August 2015.
Click here for Program details.