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Judges Continue to Seek Benefits of Advanced Judicial Degrees to
Improve Their Courts

3/1/10

By Trace Robbers, NJC Director of Communications

As the challenges facing our court systems mount, it is essential that the judiciary be equipped for transition in its courts, and within its administration. Like most public sector administrations today, court budgets are also being slashed to accommodate the loss of funding that normally would support judicial education budgets. One interesting finding is that judges, like a growing number of graduate level professionals, are seeking out higher education programs and degrees to complement their current educational resources. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, one reason may be that working professionals are seeking to keep their skill set tuned up as a way of staying positive in the midst of uncertainty. The Chronicle also noted that the Obama administration continues to assist military personnel, women and other demographics by providing funding options to pursue higher education. Whatever the case may be, judges are continuing to take advantage of higher education opportunities by enrolling in advanced degrees and certificate programs offered through The National Judicial College and the University of Nevada, Reno.

“The diversified subject areas are relevant to the current health legislation Congress is considering.”

– Hon. Beverly G. Grant, Superior Court Judge, Tacoma, WA

At the forefront of this movement is the successful Judicial Studies (JS) Degree program, a cooperative program of the University of Nevada, Reno, The National Judicial College and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges – all located in Reno. One of only a few programs of its kind in the nation, the Master of Judicial Studies Degree program was established in 1986 and continues to grow in stature and esteem among our nation’s jurists. The program has had an unmistakable impact on the field of judicial education, enrolling judge-participants from 42 states and several foreign countries. The university program also offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Judicial Studies, the only Ph.D. program in the nation for judges.
According to Dr. James T. Richardson, Director of the Judicial Studies program and the Grant Sawyer Center for Judicial Studies at the University of Nevada, the JS program provides sitting judges with a coordinated theoretical and practical academic experience aimed at providing knowledge, skills and abilities to affect positive change in our nation’s courts.

“The dialogue with judges across the country and the distinguished faculty is unsurpassed.”
– Hon. Harvetta Strozier Colvin, former Pro Tempore Judge, Shreveport, LA

“The law is dynamic. Consequently, a competent judge should always be on the cutting edge of new developments. This program meets this criterion.”
– Hon. Calvin D. Hawkins, General Jurisdiction Judge, East Chicago, IN

“Holding some of the most prestigious public offices, judges are expected to possess the highest level of knowledge possible about issues involved in cases brought before them, as well as high ethical standards, wisdom, independence and impartiality – our citizens demand it. The judicial studies degree program was developed to provide a formal academic setting in which to meet these goals,” Richardson noted.

Judges from a recent judicial studies class were asked to provide a personal perspective on their educational journey. When asked about the relevance and impact that the JS program has had on her, Hon. Beverly G. Grant, superior court judge in Tacoma, Wash. said, “The dynamics, genetic testing, bioethics, health, science and surrogate issues explored, make this program not only germane, but timely too.” In addition to being a master’s candidate in the Trial Court Judge Major, Judge Grant is also enrolled in the General Jurisdiction Trial Skills Professional Certificate Program at the NJC and is a graduate of the Dispute Resolution Skills program.

“The law is dynamic. Consequently, a competent judge should always be on the cutting edge of new developments. This program meets this criterion.”

– Hon. Calvin D. Hawkins, General Jurisdiction Judge, East Chicago, IN

"The NJC and JS programs provide relevant information for judges. I encourage every judge to participate."

– Hon. Suzette Carlisle, Administrative Law Judge, St. Louis, MO

Fellow JS program colleague Hon. Walter J. Brudzinski, administrative law judge with the United States Coast Guard in New York, N.Y. noted, "The education and skills acquired at the NJC and the JS Program not only benefits the student-judge but also builds public confidence in our justice system." Judge Brudzinski holds a Master in Judicial Studies degree and is currently a Ph.D. candidate. In addition, he has received three professional certificates from the NJC in the Administrative Law Adjudication Skills, General Jurisdiction Skills and Dispute Resolution Skills programs.

The National Judicial College’s Professional Certificate Program often works in tandem with the master’s and Ph.D. programs, as do many of the courses and programs offered through The National Council of Family and Juvenile Court Judges. While NJC courses can be taken individually, the College recommends that judges enroll in a certificate program requiring completion of a set number of courses designed to promote a broader understanding of a particular discipline. Many of the NJC’s certificate program offerings are also eligible for credit in the master’s and Ph.D. programs. It is this dual-credit eligibility that makes the university’s degree programs and the NJC’s professional certificate programs so valuable to sitting judges. NJC president, William F. Dressel, agrees, “The university’s and the NJC’s intensive training and commitment to open-access education for all judges results in a unique educational experience that lasts a lifetime.”

Regardless of the personal or professional reasons for attending judicial education programs, Judge Brudzinski and his colleagues seem to agree that the time invested in the master's/Ph.D. programs or the professional certificates offered through the NJC, have made them better jurists. As Judge Beverly G. Grant said, “Society, science and law issues continue to evolve and so must our knowledge.”

Partners in Higher Judicial Education

University of Nevada, Reno
Judicial Studies Degrees

• Master of Judicial Studies
• Ph.D. of Judicial Studies
• Master of Judicial Management

The Master and Ph.D. of Judicial Studies and the Master of Judicial Management degrees are fully accredited graduate programs requiring admittance into the University of Nevada, Reno. These university programs provide a formal academic setting in which judges can integrate technical and academic studies to attain an intellectual understanding of the American judiciary. For more information on judicial studies degrees offered through the University of Nevada, Reno, please visit the website: www.judicialstudies.unr.edu, or contact Denise Schaar-Buis, Program Officer: 775-784-6270, or by email at: jsp@unr.edu.

The National Judicial College
Professional Certificate in Judicial Development

• Administrative Law Adjudication Skills
• Dispute Resolution Skills
• General Jurisdiction Trial Skills
• Special Court Trial Skills
• Tribal Judicial Skills

The NJC’s professional certificate program features five specially tailored disciplines that represent a hallmark of professional achievement for judicial career enhancement. Each certificate program offers challenging required courses and a selection of more than 40 elective courses from which to choose. For more information on programs offered by The National Judicial College please visit the website: www.judges.org, or contact the NJC Registrar: 1-800-255-8343 or 775-784-6747.

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
National Conferences and Programs

• Child abuse and neglect
• Adoption and foster care
• Juvenile delinquency
• Family violence
• Victims of juvenile offenders
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Termination of parental rights
• Custody and visitation
• Minority issues

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges provides cutting-edge training, wide-ranging technical assistance, and research to help the nation's courts, judges and staff with juvenile and family court issues. For more information visit the website: www.ncjfcj.org, or call: 775-784-6012.