Knudson School of Law Student Caileb Reilly Takes Advantage of MBA Concurrent Degree Program
An alumnus of the Beacom School of Business, Reilly graduated with a health services administration degree in 2022. After graduation, he chose to pursue an MBA and Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree through the concurrent degree program jointly offered by the business and law schools.
The business school collaborates closely with the law school to provide a strong academic partnership through concurrent degree programs. This structure allows students, upon completing their first year of law school, to earn their J.D. alongside a master’s degree in one of nine available programs at USD.
Reilly chose USD because it offers the opportunity to pursue his passion at the intersection of health services, administration and law – along with a personal inspiration to help his family and others. Affordability was also an advantage, as USD offers competitive tuition rates and financial aid opportunities.
“The concurrent degree program allows me to fulfill my goals of having my MBA and J.D. in less time than it would without the program. Economically, the dual credit aspect is also very helpful. It helps me achieve my professional goals sooner,” said Reilly.
“Both industries are supposed to help people,” he said. “My background helped me identify when certain policies and laws may not have that intended effect.”
Reilly has immersed himself in the overlap of the business and legal professions through classes and competitions, such as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Negotiation competition and the Moot Court competition.
The competitions are organized by the law school to connect the theory of law to the practical skills the industry requires. Reilly valued both competitions for their low-stakes nature, confidence-boosting opportunities and the Moot Court competition’s structure, which introduced him to the distinctive aspect of oral arguments.
“I enjoyed my exposure to this aspect of the legal field. The law usually takes every issue into consideration, but oral arguments are extremely focused on a few issues, maybe only one,” he said.
In addition to competitions and classes, Reilly is also part of the Innocence Project – a nonprofit organization that works to free people who have been wrongly convicted – enabling him to assist attorneys while still in school.
Additionally, he held an internship with Blackburn & Stevens, Prof. LLC, a law firm in Yankton, South Dakota, that practices personal injury, trials, wills and trusts, criminal law and more. Reilly’s time at the internship helped him see the logistics of clientele, while the Innocence Project exposed him to a “variety of legal issues but most importantly the conviction process.”
“The most impactful case was one of misidentification. The science behind this raises concerns for criminal defense lawyers and especially prosecutors,” said Reilly. “My internship was very insightful too, as it taught me the intricacies of client interviews and depositions. It also developed my writing and client communication skills.”
Looking ahead, Reilly is eager to apply his learned knowledge and skills to his legal career.
“I want to work for a firm or the public sector, gain more experience and eventually be on my own. I am interested in all areas of the law, but I like criminal defense and litigation.”
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