Alaska Pacific University is gearing up to deliver the state's first law school experience—in partnership with Seattle U, they will open doors to prospective legal eagles who wish to soar without leaving their Alaskan nests. Starting this fall, students will have the chance to enroll in a cutting-edge dual law and MBA program right in their backyard. This inaugural JD-MBA course is set to shape the future of both business and legal sectors in the Last Frontier.
Hitherto, Alaskans with a dream to practice law had no choice but to pack up and pursue their education elsewhere, often in locations with climates and cultures starkly different than that of their homeland. In an interview with Alaska Public Media, program director Lincoln Gerrick spoke to this point, "We should have access to this type of education. As well as, maybe our homegrown professionals understand Alaska better than those that have just arrived," in a statement obtained by the Alaska Public Media. emphasizing the value of cultivating local talent who are innately familiar with the state's unique challenges and opportunities.
The program promises a hybrid approach that allows students to foster lasting professional relationships without having to uproot completely. Gerrick insisted on the need for intermingling and connection, explaining to Alaska Public Media, "This type of delivery, we think, gives you the best of both worlds. You don’t have to uproot your life. Plus, you get that deep, pure network development that happens when you spend time in the same room [with colleagues]." Certainly, this blend of virtual and in-person learning is expected to enhance educational outcomes by leveraging modern technology alongside the traditional dynamics of face-to-face interactions.
Amidst a landscape where practicalities of educational access often dictate the career paths of young minds in remote regions, APU's partnership with Seattle University—ranked in the top 25 for national part-time law programs by U.S. News in 2023—marks a pivotal shift, as reported by Alaska Public Media.
