JD/MPA Dual Degree Program

About the JD/MPA Dual Degree Program

The School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University and the University of San Diego’s School of Law offer a Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA) dual degree program for students interested in examining the interface of law, public administration and management. 

With an innovative and rigorous curriculum across two competitive universities, this dual-degree program in public administration and law is designed for those who have a desire to contribute to policymaking through a public service perspective. Graduates will be equipped to practice law in large private, governmental or nonprofit organizations.

What You Will Study

Pursue the Juris Doctor of Law and a Master of Public Administration simultaneously to gain theoretical and practice skill sets in law and public administration. Students will be able to identify enhanced career opportunities in the public sector, government administration or a related nonprofit sector or to represent public or private sector clients in relations with government agencies. The program provides a generalist foundation in public administration, management, and public policy while also offering a law school education that can be applied to various aspects of government. While in the program, students will also gain access to San Diego State University and University of San Diego’s combined global network of alumni. 

Admitted students who pursue the dual degree program will benefit from cross-acceptance of a certain number of credit hours. A major benefit of the program is that it reduces the number of semesters a student would normally need to obtain both degrees – generally, a reduction of at least one semester.

Students will take coursework in topics that include: 

• Public and urban affairs
• Quantitative approaches to public administration 
• Public personnel administration 
• Administrative theory
• Financial management
• Administration and public policy development
• Legal writing and research 
• Civil procedure
• Constitutional law 
• Criminal law 
• Torts
• Professional responsibility 
• Experiential advocacy practicum
• Bar exam review 

Choosing a dual JD/MPA program rather than pursuing a MPA then the JD in sequence offers several advantages:

• Integrated Curriculum: The dual program integrates coursework at SDSU and USD and across both disciplines, providing a more cohesive educational experience. 
• Save Time and Money: Pursuing both degrees simultaneously generally takes less time (eight semesters instead of 10 semesters) and can be more cost-effective than completing them sequentially.
• Develop Comprehensive Skills from the Start: Students will gain a comprehensive skill set centered on legal analysis, policy formulation and management principles from the beginning of their studies. This early exposure to interdisciplinary perspectives will better prepare you for positions at the intersection of law and public administration. 
• Seamless Transition between Disciplines: Moves without interruption between law coursework at USD and public administration coursework at SDSU. 
• Global Networking Opportunities: With the combined network of SDSU and USD, students can connect with an expansive global network of professionals to network, which can lead to internships, job opportunities and mentorship relationships. 
• Career Advancement: Graduates of the dual JD/MPA programs will be well-positioned for a broad range of career opportunities that require expertise in both law and public administration.

The career options for individuals with JD/MPA degrees are vast. The combination of legal expertise and public administration knowledge equips graduates to address complex societal challenges, navigate regulatory environments and make meaningful contributions to their chosen fields. 

• Government Attorney
• Legislative Counsel
• Policy Analyst
• City Manager
• County Administrator
• State Government Executive
• Federal Agency Administrator
• Legal Advisor to Nonprofit Organizations
• Environmental Policy Specialist
• Urban Planner
• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Labor Relations Specialist
• Criminal Justice Reform Advocate
• Public Health Administrator
• Government Relations Specialist

Workplace Settings

• Law
• Government Agencies
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Business Sector 

Application deadlines and admissions 

The dual degree program is open to students in good academic standing at their home institution. Admission to the JD/MPA program is not guaranteed, and a select number of candidates will be chosen each year.

Students involved in the JD/MPA program will have been admitted to both the School of Public Affairs at SDSU and the School of Law at USD. Students will pay tuition and fees at the university in which they are enrolled. The host institution will not charge additional tuition or fees for courses. In addition, dual degree students can receive a scholarship for tuition and fees – the equivalent of one year of academic study in the Master’s program.  

Information about SDSU and the MPA program are on the School of Public Affairs website. For USD, admissions deadlines and other requirements are on USD’s School of Law website.  

Program options

Students could either take the 1+3 model, where they complete the first year at SDSU’s School of Public Affairs, taking 21 units of core classes and then go on to USD’s JD program, after which they would complete the 3-unit MPA capstone or thesis class. 

Alternatively, students can take the 1+1+2 model in which a first year of law school at USD is followed by a year at SDSU for 21 core units of MPA, followed by two years at USD and the 3-unit MPA capstone or thesis. 

Either way, a student can complete the dual degree program in four years. Students must apply to the JD/MPA program during their first year of study in their home institution. Classes for the second degree would start in year two. Students must apply separately to both the San Diego State University and the University of San Diego programs and follow the admission requirements. We recommend that you seek admissions counseling prior to applying for the dual degree.