JD/MPA in Law and Public Administration

The dual degree program in law and public administration is designed for students interested in examining the integral relationship of law to public administration and management. 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 public administration and management as well as a practical education in the analysis and implementation of policy and laws at all levels of government.

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 Administration: JD/MPA. Students must satisfy all requirements for the juris doctor at the Washington College of Law and all requirements for the master of public administration at the School of Public Affairs. To complete the JD degree, a student is required to earn eighty-six credit hours, of which 80 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 credit hours of approved graduate coursework, including at least twenty-four credit hours of MPA coursework in School of Public Affairs, and up to fifteen credit hours from WCL.  Students may also apply to the School of Public Affairs for a credit-hour reduction of up to six credit hours as described in the degree requirements for the MPA.  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 MPA.  Students must satisfactorily complete LAW - 601 Administrative Law  and LAW - 550 Legal Ethics , to fulfill the MPA course requirements.