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 JD degree, a student is required to earn eighty-six credit hours, of which eighty credits must be earned in law school courses. Of the credits earned at the School of Public Affairs, six 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 thirty-nine credits hours of approved graduate coursework, including twenty-seven credit hours of MPP coursework in the School of Public Affairs, and twelve credit hours from AUWCL. At least twenty-four credit hours for the MPP must be taken in approved School of Public Affairs courses.
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.
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