Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA)

The dual Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA) degree program is offered jointly by Rutgers University–Newark’s School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) and Rutgers School of Law-Newark. It benefits MPA students by underscoring government’s foundation in the law, and serves JD students by deepening their understanding of the implementation of law by the agencies of government.

The joint program allows a full-time student to complete the requirements for both the JD and MPA degree in four years (eight full-time semesters). Students who wish to pursue the dual degree must apply for and gain admission to the JD program and the MPA program separately. Students normally spend the first full-time year completing the required curriculum for the JD degree and the second full-time year completing the core curriculum for the MPA. During the third and fourth years of full-time study, students take elective courses from either the JD or MPA curriculum in order to meet the requirements for both degrees. Each program will accept up to 12 credits earned at the other program toward satisfying the JD or MPA degree requirements, allowing students to complete the program in eight semesters, rather than the 10 semesters that would be required if the two degrees were earned separately.

This dual degree can be completed in four years on a full-time basis (eight full-time semesters). It could take more than eight years on a part-time basis.

  • Students must complete a total of 30 credits at Rutgers SPAA and a total of 72 credits at Rutgers Law School.
  • After applying to both programs, students should spend the first full-time year (Fall, Spring, Summer) completing the core curriculum for the JD degree in the Law School.
  • Students should spend the second full-time year completing the core curriculum for the MPA degree in SPAA.
  • Students can also start in the MPA program and then apply to the JD program, but such students would need to be mindful of ABA Standard and Interpretation 304-5 (“Credit for a JD degree shall only be given for course work taken after the student has matriculated in a law school”).
  • During the third and fourth years of full-time study, students would take elective courses from either the JD or MPA curriculum in order to meet the requirements for both degrees.
  • For each semester of residence, students shall be deemed primarily affiliated with whichever unit he/she is attempting a majority of semester credits during that semester.

To Apply / Admission Requirements

All applications are completed online. See Rutgers Undergraduate Admissions.

Students need to apply separately to the two programs and must identify their interest in the dual degree program on both applications. See each program's page for more information:

Learn More

Questions?

If you have questions about a program or the application process, contact Aaron Gibbs, associate dean of student and academic services, at algibbs@rutgers.edu.