Fast-track to a legal career through the Accelerated Masters Program
Qualified University of Arizona students have the opportunity to expedite their studies by obtaining both a Bachelor of Arts in Law and a Master of Arts in Library and Information Science (MLIS) through an Accelerated Masters Program (AMP). By pursuing these degrees simultaneously through this program, students can obtain both degrees in as few as five years.
This AMP program results in significant savings of time and money because once AMP students complete 90 undergraduate course hours, they may begin taking 500-level graduate courses to apply towards the MLIS. AMP students may take up to 12 units of graduate coursework as undergraduates, yet will continue to be charged at the undergraduate rate and retain eligibility for undergraduate scholarships.
Career Pathways
This AMP provides students with a solid foundation in legal theory, research skills, and critical analysis. This AMP is an excellent choice for students who are interested in legal careers but who do not wish to obtain a Juris Doctor. Upon graduation, AMP students will be well-equipped to pursue many law-related careers, such as becoming a law librarian, paralegal, immigration officer, court personnel, intelligence analyst, policy analyst, civil rights advocate, or legislator.
Sample Academic Plan
- Complete all general education, minor, and double-major requirements (81 units)
- Complete School of Government and Public Policy core curriculum (12 units)
- Complete Law Core Curriculum (12 units)
- Complete undergraduate law electives (15 units of POL, LAW, or other courses approved by your advisor)
- Complete MLIS core curriculum (9 units)
- Complete remainder of MLIS curriculum (26 units)
AMP students may also wish to obtain an additional Graduate Certificate in Legal Information (15 units, 12 of which may be "double-dipped" to count for both the Legal Information Certificate and the MLIS degree. See certificate program site for details.)
Students should regularly meet with an advisor from both the School of Information and the School of Government and Public Policy to plan course schedules and review requirements for both degrees.
Detailed Sample Plan of Study
BA in Law Requirements:
- Minimum 120 total units to complete degree
- Minimum 42 units of upper-division (300-499 level courses)
- Completion of a minor
MLIS Requirements:
- MLIS requires 37 units
- You have up to 6 years from your admit term to complete the program
- AMP students may complete 12 units of graduate coursework as an undergraduate
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Course Prefix and Number | Units | Course Prefix and Number | Units |
| English Composition | 3 | Eng 102 | 3 |
| Math 112 or higher | 3 | Exploring Perspectives | 3 |
| First-semester language | 3 | Exploring Perspectives | 3 |
| Exploring Perspectives | 3 | Building Connections | 3 |
| Univ. 101 | 1 | Second -semester language | 3 |
| TOTAL | 14 | TOTAL | 15 |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 | ||
| Course Prefix and Number | Units | Course Prefix and Number | Units |
| POL 201 | 3 | Univ. 301 | 1 |
| Building Connections | 3 | POL Intro Course | 3 |
| Building Connections | 3 | POL Intro Course | 3 |
| Law 389 or Exp. Persp. | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Third-semester language | 3 | Fourth-semester language | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 | TOTAL | 15 |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | ||
| Course Prefix and Number | Units | Course Prefix and Number | Units |
| LAW 401 | 3 | LAW 404 | 3 |
| LAW 402A | 3 | LAW 402B | 3 |
| POL elective | 3 | POL elective | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 | TOTAL | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 | ||
| Course Prefix and Number | Units | Course Prefix and Number | Units |
| LIS 504 | 3 | LIS 550 | 3 |
| LIS 515 | 3 | LIS 572 | 3 |
| POL elective | 3 | LAW or POL elective | 3 |
| LAW elective | 3 | Additional elective | 3-4 |
| LAW elective | 3 | ||
| Minor Course | 3 | ||
| TOTAL | 18 | TOTAL | 12-13 |
| Graduate with BA in Law | |||
| Semester 9 | Semester 10 | ||
| Course Prefix and Number | Units | Course Prefix and Number | Units |
| LIS 506 | 3 | LIS 698 | 3 |
| LIS 571 | 3 | LIS 909 | 1 |
| LIS free elective | 3 | LIS 681E | 3 |
| LIS electives | 6 | LIS free elective | 3 |
| TOTAL | 15 | TOTAL | 10 |
| Graduate with MLIS |
Application Procedures & Deadlines
BA in Law program:
- Go here for application information.
MLIS program:
- Students may apply to the AMP once they have completed 75 undergraduate credit hours. Students may start taking graduate courses to apply to the MLIS degree once they have completed 90 undergraduate credit hours.
- Applications for Fall admission are due February 15 for in-person students and March 15 for online students
- Applications for Spring admission are due September 1 for in-person students and October 1 for online students
- Go here for application information. Students must meet all University Accelerated Master’s Program Admission Requirements, including a minimum 3.3 GPA and completion of at least 75 credit hours.
Program Requirements & Policies
BA in Law students must complete a minimum of 120 units. See curriculum and degree requirements for more details.
MLIS students must complete a minimum of 37 units. See curriculum and degree requirements for more details.
All University Accelerated Master’s Program Degree and Tuition Policies apply.