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

The dual degree program with the USC Gould School of Law and the USC Price School of Public Policy enables qualified students to earn a Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration (JD/MPA).

The goal of the program is to encourage law students to gain a recognized competence in administration, which has a direct relevance for the roles lawyers are asked to play in society.

Applicants to this program will typically apply prior to beginning the JD program. Students may also apply during the first year in the USC Gould School of Law.  This residential program is offered on a full-time basis only.

The program requires the completion of the required first year of law school and the fulfillment of a statistics prerequisite, which can be met by passing an undergraduate inferential statistics class with a grade of B or better at an approved university within three years of matriculation or taking PPD 502x  and completing with a grade of “B” or better. To earn the JD, dual degree students must complete 64 law units at USC.

Credit toward the law degree may not be given for graduate work completed prior to the completion of the first year of law school. The Price School of Public Policy, on the other hand, may allow some credit toward the MPA for approved work completed prior to the first year of law school.

Students are required to complete 96 units of course work.