Program Overview

Introduction to the J.D./M.P.A Joint Program

The J.D./M.P.A Joint Program in Public Administration is a collaborative effort between the Law School and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students enrolled in this program receive their J.D. from the Law School and their M.P.A. from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Program Structure

Twelve Law School credits will count towards the J.D./M.P.A Program, and twelve M.P.A. credits will count towards the J.D./M.P.A Program. Only students enrolled in the J.D./M.P.A. Program may have twelve credits in each program double counted as described above.

Course Selection

The M.P.A. Director and the School of Law's Associate Dean for Academic Affairs identify the Law and M.P.A. courses that may count in each program. The School of Law will accept the twelve M.P.A credits toward the J.D/M.P.A. Program as long as the student earns a "C" or better. The School of Law will allow the M.P.A. courses to appear as Law courses on the transcript, but the grades for those courses will not affect the Law School grade point average (GPA).

GPA Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the M.P.A. Program in order to remain in the J.D./M.P.A. Program.

Program Completion

• Students may complete only one of Villanova's joint graduate programs.
• For example, students may complete the JD/MBA or the JD/MPA, but not both.
  • While completing the J.D. degree, students must complete at least the twelve M.P.A. credits that will count only in the M.P.A. Program and the twelve M.P.A. credits that will count in both programs.
  • The remaining twelve M.P.A. credits may be taken after completing the J.D. degree.
• The M.P.A. degree must be completed within the normal timeframe stated by Graduate Studies.
• Students may not take M.P.A. courses at another institution to complete the degree.

Internship Requirements

If a Law student works an externship approved by the Law School and by the M.P.A. Director, then M.P.A. 8010 will be waived. Otherwise, the student must complete an internship for an additional 3 M.P.A. credits.