It's all about solutions. In the JD/Master of Public Policy program, you will learn to design effective solutions in the creation, implementation and enforcement of government policies. As an advocate in a variety of settings (legislative, judicial, or executive), you will use the tools of law in public service. You will be equipped to work in multiple venues, including the courtroom, legislative offices, and public policy institutes on a wide variety of issues.

Graduates will be prepared to work in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocacy and lobbying positions, as well as private sector firms.

Curriculum

Students in their first year will take the required law school coursework. In their second and third years, they will take six credits of MPP courses each semester in addition to their law school requirements.  

To earn a dual JD/MPP degree, you must complete a total of 89 credit hours, including 65 law school credit hours and 24 MPP credit hours. A minimum of 74 graded hours are required for this degree. With careful planning, you can earn both degrees in three years of study. You will spend your first year as a full-time law student. JD foundational course requirements and skills and experiential course requirements will be taken in the second and third years, concurrent with several MPP courses. A public service externship will be completed in either the summer following the first or second year.

Courses

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Students may take Graduate level courses in other schools with the permission of the Program Director.

Suggested Sequence of Courses

The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework.  An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study.  Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.

Dual Degree Programs

Students in dual degree programs are responsible for abiding by academic policies and graduation requirements of both academic units to which they are enrolled. It is strongly recommended that students schedule regular meetings with academic advisors from both units to ensure timely degree completion. Dual degree programs may have slightly different degree requirements from the standard for one or both of the degrees earned. Students should closely read through all degree requirements and ask for clarification as needed.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the joint JD/MPP degree program, students will be able to:

1. Design effective solutions in the creation, implementation and enforcement of government policies.
2. Work as an advocate in a variety of settings (legislative, judicial, or executive).
3. Use the tools of law in public service.
4. Understand the political process in development of policies, including the role of the judiciary with other branches of government and within the intergovernmental context. 
5. Understand a government budget and evaluate it from different stakeholder positions.
6. Develop political messaging to advocate for policies and to build a political coalition of support for a program.

In addition to the above learning outcomes, the dual degree students will also be able to:

1. Design policy interventions and apply criteria to assess the best option in each specific case
2. Understand a government budget and evaluate it from different stakeholder positions
3. Understand the political process at the federal, state and local government levels
4. Develop political messaging to advocate for policies and to build a political coalition of support for a program
5. Apply appropriate analytical procedures used in public policy research and practice