Master of Science in Government Organization and Leadership (GOAL) Program

Creighton School of Law is in a unique position to champion a law-centered, but appropriately interdisciplinary, approach to meeting the growing demand for government lawyers. With its Jesuit values, existing offerings, and key connections and expertise, Creighton is building on existing foundations of excellence to create a nationally-prominent master's degree program aimed at preparing students to work as government lawyers and make major contributions as public servants, or to work in the private sector in firms and organizations that have a particular need for those with government experience.

The GOAL program addresses these growing needs with a master's program offered to law students on a joint degree basis, allowing students to complete the master's within the three-year span of law school and graduate with an M.S. as well as a J.D.

Program Mission and Goals

The GOAL program is designed to prepare students to assume leadership positions in government counsel offices, agency legal advisory roles, and related operations, with a focus on federal government agencies, as well as state and local institutions that operate programs closely related to (or dependent on) federal government efforts. Combining applied and scholarly approaches along with affording students a major opportunity for real-life experience working in a government agency setting for a semester in Washington, D.C., the program offers a bridge between theory and practice to provide graduates with:

• Tools to enhance their performance and achieve more desirable outcomes in their career pursuits;
• A detailed understanding of government ethics, including the formal government standards of ethical conduct as well as ethical principles arising from core values of our society and Jesuit values that Creighton champions;
• Practical skills and techniques in strategic planning, consideration of "breakthrough" ideas, decision making, and consensus building;
• An enhanced capacity for working as government lawyers in collaborative and creative problem solving with other government managers and leaders;
• A set of core competencies to understand and effectively participate as lawyers in leadership and organizational roles in government and related areas; and
• A legal and organizational framework for the role of government attorneys.

What types of classes are offered in the GOAL program?

A defining feature of the GOAL program is the extensive integration of experiential education, including a semester-long externship in a government counsel office in Washington, D.C. Students' work in the federal executive branch law office will be accompanied by courses directly tied to the work of government lawyers and the special ethical standards that apply in the federal sector. Students will also meet with faculty regularly during their externships to review and consolidate lessons, share experiences, and to be challenged further.

In addition, several new courses and adaptations of existing courses will be required. These include courses in leadership, intergovernmental collaboration, and new and emerging perspectives on governance.

Finally, students will be able to choose from among a number of substantive statutory courses and other electives offered at the Law School to round out their preparation for careers as government lawyers.

How will students be placed in externships?

The Law School works with government agencies to develop a variety of opportunities for students to work in Washington, D.C. Students have worked at the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior, the Peace Corps, the U.S. Treasury, and other agencies, and the list of available externships is growing. Students also have the ability to arrange their own externships with GOAL program approval.

What is the cost of tuition?

Tuition for the GOAL program is $21,000. Tuition is spread over two summers at $2,500 each (for 6 credits) and four semesters at $4,000 each.

Where can I find more information?

For additional information about the GOAL program, please contact  Associate Dean Eric Pearson at ericpearson@creighton.edu or (402) 280-2127.

The GOAL program was featured in the Omaha World-Herald. Read the story here.