The highly ranked, private liberal arts college in Kentucky has opened a search for its first Ombudsperson. The full-time position will serve faculty and staff (not the 1,500 students) following IOA standards and report to the college president.
Applicants must have a college degree and five to seven years of Ombuds experience (including at least five years of dispute resolution experience). IOA certification is preferred. No salary or closing date indicated. (Berea Posting.)
Wow! Based on this posting, most existing ombuds, in and outside higher-ed, are unqualified: "Education required to ensure success in this position: A terminal degree in a field that demonstrates ability to work with diverse backgrounds, address conflict resolution, problem solving, and analytical ability required. "
I don't think the opportunity for additional education after a JD negates the fact that it *is* a terminal professional degree-- a person can engage in the practice of law in the US if and only if they have it. The fact that a Master of Laws degree is available post-JD is just extra, like an MD or PhD holder getting a Master's Degree. The only difference is for lawyers, a JD (or a non-US equivalent) is a prerequisite for acceptance in an LLM program
By your reading I would say it's a bit over the top to ask for that. But I am seeing this reference as a contrast point in my Google search "In many cases such as law, medicine and teaching, the first professional degree is also terminal, usually because no further advanced degree is required for practice in that field, even though more advanced academic degrees may exist."
Wow! Based on this posting, most existing ombuds, in and outside higher-ed, are unqualified: "Education required to ensure success in this position: A terminal degree in a field that demonstrates ability to work with diverse backgrounds, address conflict resolution, problem solving, and analytical ability required. "
ReplyDeleteMany of us have JDs and PHDs in relevant fields I thought? This did not seem too unreasonable to me but I am curious to hear more.
ReplyDeleteInasmuch as a JD is a first professional degree and can be followed by a LLM it is not a terminal degree.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the opportunity for additional education after a JD negates the fact that it *is* a terminal professional degree-- a person can engage in the practice of law in the US if and only if they have it. The fact that a Master of Laws degree is available post-JD is just extra, like an MD or PhD holder getting a Master's Degree. The only difference is for lawyers, a JD (or a non-US equivalent) is a prerequisite for acceptance in an LLM program
DeleteBy your reading I would say it's a bit over the top to ask for that. But I am seeing this reference as a contrast point in my Google search "In many cases such as law, medicine and teaching, the first professional degree is also terminal, usually because no further advanced degree is required for practice in that field, even though more advanced academic degrees may exist."
ReplyDeleteMichael Spence's Signaling Theory is alive and well in recruiting.
ReplyDelete