Planning the Year: Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA)
The connection between law, public policy, and management is clear. This is particularly true in the many areas where laws and regulations are revised on a daily basis. The joint JD/MPA program prepares students to address these challenges at all levels of government, as well as in the traditional legal services field.
Students in the joint JD/MPA program obtain both the JD and MPA degrees with a minimum of 97 overall credits, including 72 credits at the Syracuse University College of Law and 25 credits within PAIA.
JD/MPA - Core Course Requirements (19 credits)
Joint JD/MPA students must complete the following required Public Administration courses.
- PAI 600: Public Affairs Colloquium
- PAI 734: Public Budgeting
- PAI 712: Public Organizations and Management OR PAI 762: International Management and Leadership
- PAI 721: Introduction to Statistics
- PAI 722: Quantitative Analysis
- PAI 723: Economics for Public Decisions
- PAI 751: JD/MPA Seminar: Regulatory Law and Policy
JD/MPA Electives
Students must also enroll in two PAI electives for six additional credits of coursework for a total of 25 credits of PAI coursework. This is in addition to 72 credits of coursework at the College of Law. Joint JD/MPA students must also complete LAW 702 Administrative Law as a pre-requisite for PAI 751, JD/MPA Seminar: Regulatory Law and Policy.
Due to university regulations, there are specific guidelines for acceptable courses allowed toward the 25 PAI credits required for the MPA portion of the joint JD/MPA degree. Student may NOT use the following types of credit to meet the MPA degree requirements:
- Credit for coursework completed outside PAIA;
- Credit for internships or independent studies.
PROGRAM SEQUENCE
Students pursuing the joint JD/MPA program begin MPA coursework during the summer between their 1L and 2L years. It is highly recommended that all joint JD/MPA students complete four credits of PAIA coursework (PAI), the MPA Colloquium and Public Budgeting, during the summer immediately before their 2L year, as this permits them to take remaining MPA degree credits in their 2L & 3L years. There are several suggested course patterns, but students should consult with their advising staff at the College of Law and PAIA for more information.