M.P.A. Dual Degrees

The juris doctor (J.D)./master of public administration (M.P.A.) dual degree program benefits master of public administration students by underscoring government's foundation in the law, and serves law students by deepening their understanding of the implementation of law by the agencies of government.

Rutgers University-Newark's School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) and Rutgers Law School in Newark have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a dual juris doctor/master of public administration (J.D./M.P.A.) degree program. The program allows a full-time student to complete the requirements for both the J.D. and M.P.A. degree in four years (eight full-time semesters). Students who wish to pursue the dual degree must apply for and gain admission to the J.D. program and the M.P.A. program separately. The student would normally spend the first full-time year completing the required curriculum for the J.D. degree and the second full-time year completing the core curriculum for the M.P.A. During the third and fourth years of full-time study, the student takes elective courses from either the J.D. or M.P.A. curriculum in order to meet the requirements for both degrees. Each program will accept up to 12 credits earned at the other toward satisfaction of the J.D. or M.P.A. degree requirements, allowing the student to complete the program in eight semesters, rather than the 10 semesters that would be required if the two degrees were earned separately.

Program Information

This dual degree can be completed in four years on a full-time basis (eight full-time semesters). It could take more than eight years on a part-time basis.

• Students must complete a total of 30 credits at Rutgers SPAA and a total of 72 credits at Rutgers Law School.
  
• After applying to both programs, student should spend the first full-time year (fall, spring, and summer) completing the core curriculum for the J.D. degree in Rutgers Law School.
• Students should spend the second full-time year completing the core curriculum for the M.P.A. degree in SPAA.
  
• Students can also start in the M.P.A. program and then apply to the J.D. program, but such student would need to be mindful of American Bar Association (ABA) Standard and Interpretation 304-5. (Credit for a J.D. degree shall only be given for coursework taken after the student has matriculated in a law school.)
  
• During the third and fourth years of full-time study, the student would take elective courses from either the J.D. or M.P.A. curriculum in order to meet the requirements for both degrees.
  
• For each semester of residence, a student shall be deemed primarily affiliated with whichever unit he or she is attempting a majority of semester credits during that semester.

Program Requirements

SPAA

• Application to the M.P.A. program at SPAA (School 20)
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation*
• Official transcript*
• Personal Statement
• $70 application fee
• Admission in the fall, spring, and summer

Rutgers Law School in Newark

• Application to Rutgers Law School (School 23)**
• LSAT score earned within the last three years
• Personal statement and resume
• Two letters of recommendation*
• Official transcript*
• Admission only in fall (deadline 3/15)
• Completion of an undergraduate degree

*Students can use the same letters of recommendation and transcript for each school.

**The law school application must be completed through the Law School Admissions Council (www.lsac.org), which acts as a clearinghouse for all law school applicants. Please follow their instructions for creating an account, registering for the LSAT, submitting transcripts and letters of recommendation for processing, and submitting an application.

More Information

SPAA

M.P.A./M.Accy. with the Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick

The M.P.A./master of accountancy in governmental accounting (M.Accy.) is a dual-degree program designed for precareer and in-career students to enable them to acquire professional competencies in public administration and governmental accounting within the context of public administration and public financial management. As governments increasingly seek qualified senior-level management staff who are conversant in accounting, auditing budget, and public finance, this unique dual-degree program--the first of its kind in the nation--will be of great interest to those want to broaden their skills in both of these fields. The program will familiarize students with the emerging context of public administration and nonprofit organizations in which increased accountability, transparency, and effectiveness requires higher mastery of the specific skills.

The program is offered jointly by SPAA, accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), and Rutgers Business School-Newark and New Brunswick (RBS), an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-accredited institution. Students need to apply separately to the two programs and must identify their interest in the dual-degree program on both applications. The M.P.A. program under the dual degree can be completed with 27 credits, instead of the normally required 42 credits. Students in the dual-degree program will need to complete a total of 48 credits, 21 from RBS and 27 from SPAA.

Admissions

To learn more about applying to the M.P.A. program at SPAA, visit Applicants/Admissions.

To learn more about the admission process at RBS, visit M.B.A. Graduate Admissions.

SPAA continuously works on dual degrees and memoranda of understanding with other universities. Please check our website at spaa.newark.rutgers.edu for the most current information.