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Georgetown University Public Policy Institute

Admissions Information

Why pursue a Law Degree and a Public Policy Degree?

Lawyers participate in policymaking by advocating particular positions, drafting legislation and regulations, negotiating compromises, and challenging existing laws through litigation. Effective policymakers also draw on an understanding of economics, policy content and process, statistics, and research methodology. Graduates of the JD/MPP program develop this diverse set of skills and are uniquely suited to shape the nation's social policy.

What are the degree requirements?

JD/MPP students must meet the general requirements for the JD and the MPP. In addition, they must complete three law courses that examine the legal framework within which policy is developed: Constitutional Law II, Administrative Law, and Legislation. Students are also directed to numerous Law Center courses that address policy content and process. The program requires completion of 115* credit hours, 76* hours in law courses and 39 hours in public policy courses. Students must complete the first year of law school as an intact block and traditionally spend the second year completing much of their required public policy course work. The remaining credits are completed in the final two years.

Degrees/certificates awarded	Degree Requirements
J.D. M.P.P. (Master of Public Policy) Joint Program Certificate	4 year program 115* credit hours (76* in law, 39 in MPP courses). Students who pursued the two degrees independently would complete 84* law credits and 48 MPP credits over five years.
Typical Distribution	Curriculum/Course Requirements
First Year 31* JD credits Second Year 24 MPP Credits Third Year 21 JD Credits 9 MPP Credits Fourth Year 24 JD Credits 6 MPP Credits	31* hrs required first-year law curriculum 21 hrs required MPP courses taken during second year or third year: Innovations in Public Management, Introduction to Microtheory, Ethics Values and Public Policy (or Ethics in a Globalized World), Public Finance, Public Policy Process, Quantitative Methods I and II 9 hrs required MPP courses taken in the third or fourth year: Quantitative Methods III and a two semester practicum 9 hrs MPP electives taken in the second, third, and fourth years 10 hrs required J.D. courses: Administrative Law, Constitutional Law II, Legislation and Statutory Interpretation 35 hrs additional J.D. courses, including Professional Responsibility and the legal writing requirement, in 3rd or 4th year

*NOTE: 1 fewer credit is required for students who completed the first year law curriculum prior to 2007-2008.

Revised January 23, 2008 (VW)