MPP/JD Joint Degree
The University of Utah Master of Public Policy/Juris Doctor joint degree is designed to combine students’ applied interests and training in public policy with legal training gained through the S.J. Quinney College of Law.
Each program provides individual attention to help students realize their professional goals. The Law program combines professional training in legal substance with practical applications, while the Master of Public Policy program provides analytical training and opportunities to participate in the policy process beyond the classroom. Those who pursue this joint degree will benefit by gaining an understanding of statistics, economics, law, and legal institutions.
Students can earn both the MPP and JD in a four-year period. Individuals considering a career in government, nonprofits, and the private sector that require professional training in both legal and policy analysis are encouraged to apply.
Admissions
To apply for the joint degree program, students must submit separate applications to the College of Law and the MPP program. Students are required to satisfy the regular admissions requirements for each program to be accepted into each program. Admission to one program does not guarantee admission to the other. Students may apply to both programs at the same time or a law student may apply to the MPP program during their first year of law school.
Degree Requirements
Students spend their first year in the joint program at the Law School completing required law courses. During the second, third and fourth years, students are able to take law and/or public policy courses. Students may count up to nine credit hours of College of Law class work toward fulfilling the 40 credit-hour requirement of the MPP degree. Students may also count up to twelve credit hours of MPP class work toward fulfilling the 88 credit-hour requirement of the JD degree. Upon completion of all requirements in both programs, students earn two separate degrees, a JD degree awarded by the College of Law and a MPP degree awarded by the College of Social and Behavioral Science.
The overall credit requirements for both degrees is reduced by 21 credit hours, and students can expect to complete the two degrees in approximately eight semesters of full-time study. Students admitted in the JD/MPP Joint degree must complete all JD and all MPP requirements before either degree will be awarded.
Students will pay College of Law Tuition for law school courses and Regular Graduate Tuition (resident or nonresident) for public policy courses.
Sample Curriculum
First Year
Law School Classes (Cannot take MPP classes during first year of law school)
Second Year
Fall Semester
Con Law II
PUBPL 6290 Applied Quantitative Methods in Public Policy
PADMN 6320 Policy Theory and Applications
Law Elective
Spring Semester
Legal Profession
Law Skills Course
PADMN 6323 Policy Analysis
Elective Law
Third Year
Fall Semester
Law Seminar
PUBPL 6563 Policy and Program Evaluation
ECON 6300 Public Finance
Elective Law
Spring Semester
ECON 6380 Law and Economics
PUBPL 6900 Public Policy Research
Elective Law
Elective Law
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Elective Law
Elective Law
Elective Law
PUBPL 6965 Survey Research Methods
Spring Semester
PUBPL 6950 MPP Applied Policy Project and Capstone
Elective Law
Elective Law
STAT 6003 Survey of Statistical Computer Packages