UMass Law students in front of the UMass Law building

Juris Doctor & Master of Public Policy
JD, MPP

Offered as: 
On-campus
Online
Graduate

The joint JD/MPP degree program, offered by UMass Law and UMass Dartmouth's College of Arts & Sciences, gives you the opportunity to enroll in the online Master of Public Policy (MPP) program and the traditional, on-campus Juris Doctor (JD) program simultaneously in a structure that is compatible with part-time and full-time study.

Bridge law and public policy

The joint JD/MPP degree program lets you integrate advanced policy studies and a law school education in a structure that is compatible with part-time as well as full-time study.

As a law student, you’ll master essential legal skills, learn the fundamentals of statutory and case law, and explore new and emerging areas of practice. The integration of knowledge, theory, ethics, and skills will prepare you to thrive in the changing legal profession.

The online Master of Public Policy program course of study focuses on policy analysis, applied research, and public management skills. It provides preparation for advancement or employment in:

  • state, federal, and municipal governments
  • nonprofit organizations
  • non-governmental organizations
  • business, trade, and labor associations

Classes are held during the day and evening hours. The schedule for a full-time student, after the first year of full-time law study, would comprise of 3 JD courses during the day and 2 online MPP courses, a course load of 15 credits sequenced so that the student moves through the curriculum expeditiously.

Both degrees may be completed full-time in 4 calendar years, and may be accelerated by taking summer courses. A part-time student typically completes both degrees in 5 years with summer study. Students must complete both degrees within 7 years.

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

Student success

Portrait of Mary Brigh Lavery, JD/MPP candidate '20
Mary Brigh Lavery, JD/MPP candidate '20: Rappaport Scholar

A public interest fellow, Mary Brigh Lavery interned this summer with the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators.

Applicants with baccalaureate degrees in any field who meet the entrance requirements of each program are eligible to apply.

More information

University requirements for graduate admissions

  • Submit an application via the online portal. Be sure to provide your full legal name and to capitalize the first letter of all proper nouns.
  • Pay non-refundable $60 application fee (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) via the online portal. For Nursing applicants, the non-refundable application fee is $75.
  • Statement of Purpose, minimum 300 words. Unless otherwise indicated in the program requirement details, indicate your graduate study objectives, research interests and experience, and business or industry experience if applicable. If you are applying for a teaching or research assistantship, include any special skills or experience that would assist us in making assistantship decisions.
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not). Unofficial transcripts are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled a final official transcript is required. International students applying with an transcript evaluation, please submit that document with your unofficial transcripts. International applicants for Data Science must submit semester-by-semester transcripts as well as consolidated transcripts. 
  • Many programs have specific recommendations/requirements, please see the additional program-specific requirements for more information.
  • International students: official TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Pearson PTE or Duolingo (if accepted by program) score. Unofficial scores are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled official scores are required and must be sent by the testing agency (copies/scans not accepted). This is required of any applicant who did not earn a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited academic institution in the U.S. or accepted English-speaking country, see exemptions for more details. We require an overall/total minimum score of 72 on the TOEFL iBT or BAND 6.0 on the IELTS or a 52 on the Pearsons PTE Academic for entrance to any program and a minimum score of 79 on the TOEFL iBT or BAND 6.5 on the IELTS for consideration for a teaching assistantship. Some programs require higher minimum scores (see program-specific requirements). Most programs also accept the Duolingo with a minimum score of 95. The following programs do not accept the Duolingo: Art Education, Biology/Marine Biology, Nursing (MS, DNP, PhD), Psychology: Clinical, and Public Policy. 
  • All official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Program deadlines

Study online

The MPP degree is offered fully online. Master of Public Policy students choose one of the following policy concentrations:

  • Environmental Policy
  • Education Policy
  • Public Management