Master of Public Policy /
Juris Doctor (MPP/JD) Dual Degree
Gain the skills and experience necessary to become a leader that is prepared for careers in law and public service, from policy-making in government and nonprofits to law.
Administered by Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy and Georgetown University Law Center, the Master in Public Policy and Juris Doctor (MPP/JD) dual degree is a four-year, 115-credit program in which you pursue both degrees simultaneously.
Deadlines
Fall 2026 term
- December 1: Early action deadline
- January 15: Priority deadline
- March 1: Final deadline
Credit hours
39 Public Policy credit hours
- You will take MPP courses in your first, third and fourth years.
76 Juris Doctor credit hours
- You will take J.D. courses in your second, third and fourth years.
Who is the MPP/JD program for?
The MPP/JD dual degree program is designed for students interested in the analytical training of an MPP program and the comprehensive legal training gained through a JD program. This program prepares students for a career path as attorneys, where an education that includes understanding policy content and research methodology, statistics and processes will prove vital for working within government or non-profit sectors. Additionally, this program offers policy professionals the working understanding of law and legal institutions to effectively shape policy.
How to apply
Applicants interested in applying to this MPP/JD dual degree program must meet the admissions criteria of both programs and complete separate applications simultaneously for each department. You should indicate your intentions for a dual degree on all admissions materials. It is possible for students in either the MPP or JD program to apply to the other half of the dual degree program during their first year of enrollment. Admissions decisions are always made independently by the McCourt School and the Georgetown University Law Center; enrollment in one program does not guarantee acceptance to the other program.
Degree requirements
You will need to complete the following courses to satisfy the 39-credit hours of public policy coursework as part of the MPP/J.D. dual degree program.
Economics (6 credits)
- PPOL 5004: Intermediate Microeconomics I (3 credits)
- PPOL 5005: Intermediate Microeconomics II (3 credits)
Quantitative Methods (9 credits)
- PPOL 5000: Statistical Methods for Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- PPOL 5001: Regression Methods for Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- PPOL 5002: Advanced Regression and Program Evaluation Methods (3 credits)
Political Institutions and Process (9 credits)
For each of the first two required courses, students may choose either a U.S. domestic focus or a comparative international focus.
- PPOL 5006: The Politics of Policy-Making; or PPOL 5007: Comparative Politics of Policy-Making (3 credits)
- PPOL 5008: Public Management; or PPOL 5009: Management & Implementation in Developing Countries (3 credits)
- PPOL 5010: Ethics, Values and Public Policy (3 credits)
Capstone Project (6 credits)
- PPOL 5011/5013, Policy Analysis Capstone I/Thesis Workshop I
- PPOL 5012/5014, Policy Analysis Capstone II/Thesis Workshop II
Electives (9 credits)
You will have an array of elective course options taught by expert McCourt faculty to choose from, with the opportunity to align your electives with your interests and career goals.
Georgetown Law provides details about which courses you will need to satisfy the 76-credit hours of law coursework as part of the MPP/J.D. dual degree program.
Course schedule
There is some flexibility in the schedule to accommodate your specific professional and academic goals, but students who start the MPP/JD dual degree program in the McCourt School typically follow this course schedule:
| Year | Credit load |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | 24 MPP credits |
| Year 2 | 31 J.D. credits |
| Year 3 | 9 MPP credits + 21 J.D. credits |
| Year 4 | 6 MPP credits + 24 J.D. credits |
Questions? Connect with us.
If you have questions about the MPP/J.D. program, you can connect with us over email or at an upcoming event.
Request more MPP information
Join us in the Master of Public Policy program to become a force of positive change in the policy world.
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