Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

Which joint degree programs does the Law Center offer?

Georgetown Law Center offers 11 joint degree programs in conjunction with graduate programs at either Georgetown University’s main campus or Johns Hopkins University.

J.D./Master of Business Administration (MBA)
J.D./Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS)
J.D./Master of Arts in Arab Studies (MAAS)
J.D./Master of Arts in Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies (MAREES)
J.D./Master of Arts in German and European Studies (MAGES)
J.D./Master of Arts in Latin American Studies (MALAS)
J.D./Master of Arts in Security Studies (MASSP)
J.D./PhD in Government
J.D./MA or J.D./PhD in Philosophy
J.D./Master of Public Policy (MPP)
J.D./ Master of Public Health (MPH)*
J.D./LL.M. in International Business and Economic Law**
J.D./LL.M. in Securities and Financial Regulation**
J.D./ LL.M. in National Security Law**
J.D./LL.M. in Taxation**

*Georgetown Law offers the J.D./Master of Public Health (MPH) in conjunction with Johns Hopkins University. 

**Students who participate in one of the LL.M./J.D. programs and take the requisite number of qualifying courses during their J.D. studies will be able to complete an LL.M. degree in only one additional semester. Students generally apply to these joint degree programs during the summer following their 2L or 3E year. For more information about these joint degree programs,  go to the Graduate Programs website. 

May any of the joint degree programs be pursued on a part time basis?

The J.D./M.P.P., J.D./M.A.S.S.P., J.D./M.A.L.A.S., J.D./M.A.R.E.E.S., J.D./M.A. in Philosophy, and J.D./Government programs offer a full time program and a part time evening program. The J.D./M.P.H., J.D./M.S.F.S., J.D./M.B.A., J.D./M.A.G.E.S., J.D./ M.A.A.S. and J.D./PhD in Philosophy are full time programs only.

May I pursue another degree in addition to the J.D. that is not a part of the Joint Degree Program?

Yes, you may be able to pursue a concurrent degree, meaning that you would apply to and enroll separately in the J.D. program and another program at another institution, but be permitted to count up to 6 credits of coursework at the other institution toward the J.D. degree. For more information on concurrent degrees, contact the Office of J.D. Academic Services at (202) 662-9039, who can advise on the feasibility of pursuing a concurrent degree.

ADMISSIONS

Visit the Admissions Website to find out information on the admissions process. 

TUITION/FINANCIAL AID

Do I pay Law Center tuition rates or graduate school rates for the joint degree programs?

J.D./M.B.A.; J.D./M.S.F.S.; J.D./M.A.A.S.; J.D./M.A.R.E.E.S; J.D./M.A.G.E.S.; J.D./M.A.L.A.S.; J.D./M.A.S.S.P.; J.D./M.P.P.
Students pay Georgetown Law tuition for their first year in the J.D. program.  Students pay Georgetown University’s Graduate School tuition during the one year when they take courses exclusively at the Main Campus masters degree program. J.D./M.B.A. students pay the full-time M.B.A. tuition in their first year in the M.B.A. program. Students pay Georgetown Law tuition in the years when they take courses on both campuses. This is typically the third and fourth years of the joint degree programs.

J.D./PH.D. IN GOVERNMENT OR PHILOSOPHY
FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS:
Prior to completing all J.D. courses and at least 24 credits in government or philosophy: Georgetown Law tuition.
After completing all J.D. courses and at least 24 credits in government or philosophy: Graduate School tuition.

FOR PART-TIME STUDENTS:
Prior to completing all J.D. courses and at least 24 credits in government or philosophy: charged at Georgetown Law part-time rate for all courses.
After completing all J.D. courses and at least 24 credits in government or philosophy: charged Graduate School tuition.

J.D./M.P.H.
While at Georgetown Law : Georgetown Law tuition (to Georgetown Law).
While at Johns Hopkins: Johns Hopkins tuition (to Johns Hopkins).

Note: Students enrolled in joint degree programs may be charged additional fees for language labs or other courses necessary to earn their degree.

Do I apply for financial aid through the Law Center or the graduate school?

Which school handles your financial aid depends on the joint degree program in which you are enrolled. Please check with the Financial Aid Office at both schools.

CURRICULUM

Does a student in the joint program have the same graduation requirements as other J.D. students?

The requirements generally are the same -- completion of all first year J.D. courses, the professional responsibility and upperclass legal writing requirements, and the J.D. residency requirement. A J.D. student needs 85 credits to graduate. Depending on the program, 6 or 9 credits of masters coursework will be counted toward those 85 credits.

What steps do students need to take to ensure that credit for main campus work is counted toward the J.D. degree?

Students in the J.D./MAAS, J.D./MALAS, J.D./MASSP, and J.D./MPH programs are allowed to transfer 6 credits of graduate course work toward their J.D. degree. Students in the J.D./MBA, J.D./MSFS, J.D./MAREES, J.D./MAGES, J.D./MPP, J.D./PhD in Government and J.D./PhD in Philosophy are allowed to transfer 9 credits of graduate course work toward their J.D. degree. The Office of the Registrar will add those credits after the end of the Fall add/drop period in the final year of the joint program.

Can a student take a required law course on a pass/fail basis for the joint degree?

No. All required law courses in the joint degree program must be taken for a grade. The policy on pass/fail states “required courses, including those that fulfill the upperclass legal writing requirement, are not available for this option, since a major goal is to encourage students to take courses they might not otherwise take.”

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Would doing a joint degree limit extracurricular opportunities at law school, such as participation in journals, moot court, or internships?

Generally, a joint degree will not limit your opportunities to participate in law journals, moot court, etc. But please be advised, there generally are no special accommodations made in applying to participate in these programs because you are a joint degree student.

COMMUTING

How do I commute to Main Campus?

Students may use the GUTS shuttle to get back and forth between Georgetown Law and the Main Campus. Students with a valid GoCard may ride any GUTS route at no charge. The shuttle between Georgetown Law and the Main Campus runs every hour to hour and a half. In addition, the university runs more frequent shuttles to the metro stations at Dupont Circle (Metro's Red line) and Rosslyn (Metro's Blue and Orange lines). The GUTS schedule and Next-Bus tool is available here.

Another popular and inexpensive commuting option is the DC Circulator bus system. For route maps, fare information and Next-Bus information, for the DC Circulator and other Metro bus routes, refer to http://www.wmata.com.

Parking in Georgetown Law lots is very limited, so joint degree students, like all law students, may not always find a space. Law Center students may pay to park in the McDonough garage on level P2 on a space available basis, if they have registered their car with and obtained a hangtag from the Law Center's parking office. GoCards issued by the Law Center are automatically programmed to allow them access to the garage, and to deduct the per entry parking fee of $7.25. Parking for students at the Law Center garage tends to fill up on weekdays during the semester by 9:30 am. Students may access the garage for free after 5:00 pm and on the weekends.

When you register your car with the Law Center Parking Office, please confirm your GoCard has been programmed to allow you access to the McDonough garage. The Law Center's Parking Office is located in McDonough 154 and is open from 8:30am to 6:00pm Monday through Friday, excepts holidays. The phone number is (202) 662-9331.

The Main Campus does not permit student parking. Students may however pay (in cash) to park in their garages as a visitor if space is available.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

Joint Degree Admissions Contact Information:

Office of Admissions
Joint Degree Programs
McDonough Hall, Room 589
Georgetown University Law Center
600 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Phone: (202) 662-9015
Fax: (202) 662-9439

Email: admis@law.georgetown.edu

Joint Degree Programs Contact Information:

Gilda Mossadegh
Office of J.D. Academic Services
Georgetown University Law Center
Email: gm721@law.georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 662-9039

Prof. Albert Lauber (J.D./LL.M. joint degrees in Taxation, and Securities
& Financial Regulation)
Assistant Director, Tax and Securities Programs
Georgetown University Law Center
Email: agl26@law.georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 662-9036

Tina Drake Zimmerman (J.D./ LL.M. joint degrees in IBEL)
Program Director, LL.M. in National Security Law
Georgetown University Law Center
Email: drake@law.georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 662-9660

Other Frequently-Dialed Offices:
Financial Aid Office: (202) 662-9210
Office of Career Services: (202) 662-9300
Office of the Registrar: (202) 662-9220