The combined Master of Public Affairs–Doctor of Jurisprudence program enables the student to take a four-year sequence of courses leading to both degrees.

Application and Admission

The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education and must apply separately to both the Maurer School of Law and the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

If the applicant is admitted to only one school, the applicant is permitted to attend that school and is, of course, required to meet the graduation requirements of that school. It is recommended that the student apply to both schools simultaneously for the combined M.P.A.–J.D. program. It is possible, however, for a person already enrolled in the Maurer School of Law to apply for admission to the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs up to the end of the second year of law study. It is also possible for a student enrolled in the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs to seek admission to the Maurer School of Law up to the end of the first year of the M.P.A. course of study.

Academic Standing

Grade point averages in the Maurer School of Law and the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs are computed separately. To continue in the program, the student must meet the academic standards in each school. A student failing in one school but meeting academic standards in the other may complete work for the degree in the school in which the student is able to meet the academic standards. Such completion must be according to the same conditions (credit hours, residency, etc.) required of regular (noncombination) degree candidates; that is, 82 credit hours in law and 48 credit hours in SPEA.

School Residency

Students in the dual M.P.A.–J.D. program should enroll in courses through the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in the first year of the program and through the Maurer School of Law in the second year of the program. Alternatively, dual M.P.A.–J.D. students do have the option of enrolling in courses through the School of Law—Bloomington in the first year and in O'Neill in the second year. In the third and fourth years, or until the program is completed, students should enroll through the school in which the majority of their credit hours reside in each enrollment period.

Program Requirements

(115 credit hours)

Master of Public Affairs Requirements

(36 credit hours) Students are required to complete 36 credit hours of O'Neill courses distributed among the M.P.A. core and a specialization area.

Required Courses (21 credit hours)

Specialization Area (15 credit hours)

The student chooses a field of specialization and develops a program of specialization courses in consultation with a O'Neill faculty advisor.

MPA Leadership Series (0 credit hours)

Students will complete a 4-week seminar on personal leadership development. By the end of the series, students will construct a point of view on leadership and will build tools to help them manage themselves throughout their careers. Students should plan to enroll in the series before their requisite internship.

Doctor of Jurisprudence Requirements

(79 credit hours) Students are required to complete 79 credit hours of law courses and to satisfy all requirements for the degree Doctor of Jurisprudence. For specific requirements, see the Maurer School of Law Bulletin.