S.J. Quinney College of Law

Juris Doctor (JD)/Master of Public Policy (MPP)

The S.J. Quinney College of Law and the College of Social and Behavioral Science offer a joint JD/MPP pathway, enabling students to pursue both degrees simultaneously.

Credit Reduction and Program Duration

Due to the complementary nature of law and public policy studies, dual degree students may count:

• Up to 9 credit hours of law coursework toward the 40-credit MPP degree
• Up to 12 credit hours of MPP coursework toward the 88-credit JD degree

This results in a 21-credit reduction, allowing students to complete both degrees in approximately eight semesters. However, both degrees must be completed before either is awarded.

Application Process

Applicants must submit separate applications to the College of Law and the MPP program. Admission standards for each program are independent, and admission to one does not guarantee admission to the other.

• Simultaneous Applications: Students are encouraged to apply to both programs at the same time.
• Post-Admission Applications: Law students may apply to the MPP program before completing their first year of law school. MPP students enrolling in the JD program after beginning the MPP program may face restrictions on how MPP credits count toward their JD.

Credit Requirements and Course Approvals

• For MPP Courses Counting Toward the JD Degree:
  1. Must be pre-approved by the College of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Please reach out to the JD Academic Advisor to inquire if any MPP courses have already been pre-approved.
  2. Must be a graduate-level course, not part of the MPP first-year curriculum.
  3. A grade of 3.0 (“B”) or higher is required.
• For JD Courses Counting Toward the MPP Degree: To begin the approval process for JD courses to count toward the MPP degree, please coordinate with the MPP Academic Advisor.

Completion of First-Year Law Requirement

Law credit for MPP courses is only granted after completing the first year of law school. Students starting the MPP program first must delay taking MPP courses intended for law credit until this is completed.

Enrollment Notifications

• Students taking only MPP courses during a semester must inform the College of Law Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and JD Academic Advisor.
• Students taking only law courses during a semester must inform the MPP Academic Advisor.

Degree Award

Both degrees must be completed to receive credit for cross-over courses and to be awarded the JD and MPP.