Law and Public Policy, JD/MPP

The dual degree program in law and public policy is designed for students interested in examining the integral relationship of law to public policy. The program is especially attractive to students who may seek to use their law degrees in the political, governmental, and not-for-profit realms. This dual degree program provides a broad theoretical grounding in policy analysis, program evaluation, and successful policy implementation and provides students with the necessary skills to creatively address the political, financial, organizational, legal, ethical, and constitutional challenges inherent in developing and delivering sound public policies.

Application. Candidates for the dual degree program must qualify for admission to the law school and the School of Public Affairs. The School of Public Affairs accepts LSAT scores in place of the GRE scores normally required for admission. For entering law students, applications for this program are first reviewed and acted upon by the law school. Upon admission to the law school, the application is forwarded directly to the School of Public Affairs for that school’s review and decision. Currently enrolled law students may apply during their studies at the law school.

Dual Degree Requirements

Law and Public Policy: JD/MPP. Students must satisfy all requirements for the juris doctor at the Washington College of Law and all requirements for the master of public policy at the School of Public Affairs. To complete the degree, a student is required to earn 86 credit hours, of which 80 credits must be earned in law school courses. Of the credits earned at the School of Public Affairs, 6 will be applied to the JD degree upon approval of the law school. Following the first year of law school, the student will be required to complete 39 credit hours of courses at the School of Public Affairs. Up to 15 credit hours in law school courses may be credited toward the MPP requirements upon approval by the School of Public Affairs. To receive the full 15 credit hours, students must test out of PUAD-601 Methods of Problem Solving I. The law school’s LAW - 516 Legal Rhetoric I  and LAW - 517 Legal Rhetoric II , may fulfill one of the two research course requirements for the MPP. Students must satisfactorily complete LAW - 601 Administrative Law  and LAW - 550 Legal Ethics  to fulfill the MPP course requirements.