LEGAL MPM (Masters in Project Management)? What do you think?

[soliloquy]

I've been banging my head against the wall for months trying to determine what Masters degree (reasonably priced) I could pursue. I considered a leadership and management degree, going for an MBA (not really something I want to do), or another business degree. I want to use my legal background in conjunction with working in the corporate sector. I do not want to resign myself to working for private firms for the rest of my life. I need a way to stand out. I'm also not willing to go into a ton of debt with the hope the Masters will pay off because if it doesn't right away my mortgage and other bills aren't going to take a back seat to huge student loan debt. To that end, I have been looking at in-state programs. There are a lot on UNC Online but nothing I've been terribly interested in. Right now I'm considering a Master in Leadership and Management at Montreat College (which will cost about 20K) or a Master of Project Management (MPM) Program at WCU. There isn't yet a specific Master's degree for legal project management.

The Master of Project Management (MPM) Degree Program at Western Carolina University was the first such master’s degree in the United States at a nationally accredited institution and the first one to be accredited by PMI (1983). The MPM Program was initiated with the active sponsorship, cooperation and support of the Project Management Institute, the premiere, world-wide, non-profit professional organization for professional project managers. The program is part of the Global Management and Strategy Department within the College of Business. MPM strives to be the pre-eminent comprehensive educational program for project management professionals, to advance the project management profession through teaching, research and service, and to develop leaders in the project management profession.

Fully accredited at the national level, the goal of the program is to fit into the project management professional's busy work schedule. The program provides flexible, direct access to work-related graduate education from any location that has a communications link, at any time, and by making the best use of the latest advances in educational technology.
The MPM Program has accreditations at three levels:
-The program is accredited by Project Management Institute (PMI)
-The College of Business is accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
-The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SAC)

The total cost of the program over the two years is approximately $7688 for in-state residents () and $24603 for out-of-state residents.

For me, I've been doing research on project management in the legal sector since I've been working as a paralegal manager for more than ten years. I've managed quite a few "projects" working with companies like Chrysler Group LLC although I do not have the title project manager. I'm learning that there is a sub-field in law for legal project managers which is not a far cry from being a paralegal and I'd love to be able to explore this niche. Because law is slow with progress, legal project management is just now gaining steam and I would love to be able to work in this capacity for a larger firm or corporation.

I was surprised that there's even a short wikipedia article on legal project management. Legal project management - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Six Big Law Firms Get Serious About Legal Project Management | Publications | Dechert LLP

This is exciting.

There are some pre-requisites that I'd probably end up needing to take because WCU requires comparable courses in your undergrad work or you end up having to take these:

1. PM 500 - Tools for Financial Management
2. PM 505 - Introductory Statistics and Microeconomics
3. PM 515 - Legal and Ethical Issues

But, I figure I can CLEP/DSST these subjects before enrolling at WCU. I may email WCU to make sure that the tests I'm thinking of will satisfy the requirements. Or, do you think it'd be easier to just take the courses?

Here's a sample job posting:

Legal Project Manager at Ropes & Gray LLP in Greater New York City Area - Job | LinkedIn

Anyway, what do you think?

[soliloquy]

Oh, thanks in advance for any advice, constructive criticism, etc.

[sanantone]

There are masters degrees in legal studies and legal administration. Legal administration is more management oriented.

[soliloquy]

From what I understand, the Masters in Legal Administration deals more with educating students on the management and operation of law firms and courts - not necessarily corporations which is where I would prefer to be (in the legal dept of a corporation). A Masters in legal studies doesn't quite get me to my goal. Unfortunately, neither of the ones you mentioned are programs available in NC where I would be able to pay in-state tuition. Any ideas on institutions with reasonably priced programs (programs under 25k)?

And just out of curiosity, what would be wrong with just getting the MPM?

There is a (Master of Laws) LLM degree in NC but it is for foreign lawyers who have already received a primary law degree from universities in their home countries. The LL.M. Program in United States Law offers international lawyers the opportunity to practice in this country.

[bricabrac]

Just to add another option-

A trend I've seen over the past decade in corp mid mgmt is the JD. Even in research depts you will find a MD/JD/MBA or PharmD/JD or PhD/MBA; it just brings different areas of specialty to the table. I can attest the folks with multiple letters behind their names get paid a LOT more money. Also these folks are usually, more often than not, mentored into leadership positions. In my world, Pharma, the Directors/VPs/Presidents usually either have multiple degrees, OR, are Oxford, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Wharton graduates. At my last company the CEO was an Oxford bachelor's graduate. The man was also a billionaire, but who's counting $. (Whether the majority want to admit it or not, there are privileges certain univ degrees/elite afford-wink.)

[soliloquy]

That's a coincidence. I was just reading this article: 5 Reasons Not to Get a Dual JD/MBA - US News Not that this means anything substantial. I just thought the timing was strange.

At any rate, a JD is not something you can get online (not one that is respected anyway) and unfortunately I'm not able to commit to a JD program where I have to physically be in class. The only law school in my area unfortunately is also the Charlotte School of Law and they have a pretty bad reputation in North Carolina. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/09...value.html

But, I agree with you that these dual degrees have been gaining prominence. I'm still trying to find my way. I appreciate other suggestions but is there any specific reason I shouldn't pursue a MPM?

[bricabrac]

But, I agree with you that these dual degrees have been gaining prominence. I'm still trying to find my way. I appreciate other suggestions but is there any specific reason I shouldn't pursue a MPM?

I am not going to get into the why not's, because I see the salaries of those who have +JD, so to each his own. My background is clinical and medical, the worker bees hold primarily science degrees, followed by business degrees. (BAs although hired are rare.) Most aspire to MS or medical degrees. Most mid-level mgmt and above are docs (MD, PharmD, PhD). An MBA, in my field, would be considered a general adv business degree. Quite honestly, those I work with have an EMBA (Trium Global Program), not the MBA. A JD is a benefit when dealing with contracts/licensing/joint ventures/international alliances/etc. Which most directors and above spend the majority of their time working on. There will always be opposing arguements to anything, that's what research writing is all about.

The cost/benefit of advanced level education is usually part of the salary package; meaning most employers pay for the degrees. (Tuition reimbursement program.) In my experience it is written into the employees educational goals for the year. Most take 1-2 courses per semester until complete and the company picks up the cost of tuition and books along with any travel required (eMBAs usually travel 5-6x in the program).

If the MPM is a common or upcoming degree used in your industry that you feel will move your career forward, then by all means Go For It. The project managers I know usually have a bachelors, most in the sciences or business and have acquired the proj mgmt cert. I was told by my family/bus mentors, bachelors degrees are general, masters are niche. It should be tailored to your future career/earnings potential. Only you, your career mentor, HR rep, or your headhunter would know the answer to your question. Good luck in whatever field you choose!