Earn your J.D. and your Master of Public Administration (MPA) with 18-21 fewer credits
than would be required to earn the two degrees independently. This dual-degree option
is an opportunity to develop skills for managerial and legal positions in federal,
state or local government agencies as well as in nonprofit or quasi-governmental organizations.
You can earn both degrees concurrently by completing all required courses over a three-
to four-year period.
This program was the first in the state to be fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).
You can apply to the dual-degree program after having enrolled in either the J.D.
or the MPA program. However, to obtain the full benefit of credit sharing, MPA students
should enter the law school program no later than after the completion of 15 credits
in the MPA program.
You'll complete a minimum of 78 credits in the law school and a minimum of 30 credits
in the MPA program.
The UBalt School of Law recognizes 9 credits of the MPA requirements as transferable
to its program (or 6 credits if the degrees are not completed within the same academic
year), and the College of Public Affairs reciprocally allows the transfer of up to
12 credits of law school courses to satisfy coursework requirements in the MPA program.
Specifically, the MPA program agrees to waive PUAD 627: Legal and Ethical Environment
of Public Administration for students in the dual-degree program as well as 9 specialization
credit hours.
You'll begin master’s program work during the summer preceding enrollment in the law
school or during the summer after finishing the first year of law school, but you
can't take courses within the master’s program during the fall and spring semesters
of the first year of law school.
Let us know when you are ready to earn your master's degree by applying to the program.
Our online application will only take you a few minutes to complete. Before you submit the application,
you’ll be asked to use your credit card or bank account to pay the $50 application
fee.
Statement of Personal Interest can be submitted electronically as part of the online application.
Insider tips: The earlier you apply and submit a completed application, the faster you’ll receive
an admission decision. Each one of your supporting admission documents may be sent
individually. Your admission portal will keep track of what the UBalt Admission team
has received.
When you attend an information session or discuss your application with an Admission
counselor be sure to get your application fee waiver code and save yourself $50.
