Master of Public Policy/Juris Doctor
The JU Public Policy Institute (JU PPI), in cooperation with the Florida Coastal School of Law (FCSL), offers an MPP-JD dual degree program. In this program, students receive both an MPP degree and JD degree in a year less than if the degrees were pursued separately.
The JU PPI/FCSL MPP-JD dual degree program is a four year program. In year one, students will complete the entire first year curriculum in either the JU MPP program or the FCSL JD program. In year two, the other school's first year curriculum will be completed. In years three and four, students will take a mix of law and policy courses.
JU PPI will recognize 12 credits of JD coursework towards the MPP degree, and FCSL will recognize 12 credits of MPP coursework towards the JD degree. The total coursework consists of 114 credit hours. Public policy coursework will constitute 36 credit hours, including an internship (three credit hours). The MPP internship requirement must be met prior to the fourth year of the Dual Degree program and can be met through: a MPP internship, qualifying clerkship, qualifying professional experience, or on written request and upon written approval by the JU PPI Director, substitution of an approved PPOL elective. JD coursework consists of 78 credit hours, to be completed as prescribed by the law school.Additionally, a dual degree enrollment form, approved by each school, will be required for each semester.
In addition to the partnership with FCSL, the Institute will accept twelve transfer credits for students who concurrently enroll in any ABA accredited law school to fulfill the elective requirements of the MPP degree. To receive credit, the student must complete the first year MPP core curriculum and internship, matriculate to an ABA accredited law school, remain in good standing at both Jacksonville University and the law school, complete remaining MPP coursework while enrolled in law school, complete remaining JD coursework.
Applicants to the MPP-JD program will be required to meet the entrance requirements for both JU PPI and FCSL and to be accepted into each institution. To be accepted to FCSL, students must take the LSAT exam. JU will recognize the LSAT score and will not require the GRE or GMAT for acceptance to the JD-MPP program. Admission to one program will not guarantee that the applicant will be admitted to the other. Applications will be welcomed from students with baccalaureate degrees in any field.
Students may apply for acceptance into the dual degree program prior to enrolling in the JD or MPP programs or at any time during their first year in the JD program or the MPP program. Students wishing to apply for the MPP-JD dual degree program after that time must apply for and be granted a waiver by both FCSL and JU PPI. The dual degree program is not available to those students who have already earned a JD or MPP degree.
The actual grades earned in the 12 credits taken at FCSL towards the MPP degree will not be factored into the student's JU PPI grade point average. As long as the student earns the grade of "C" or better in the JD courses, these transfer courses and credits will be noted on the student's JU PPI transcript with the grade of "Transfer." The actual grades earned in the 12 credits taken at the JU PPI towards the JD degree will not be factored in the student's FCSL grade point average. As long as the student earns the grade of "C" or better in the PPI courses, these transfer courses and credits will be noted on the student's FCSL transcript with the notation "T" plus the grade earned in the at courses at JU PPI, e.g. TB+ or TA-.
Students will be required to complete the requirements to earn the JD degree no later than six years of enrollment at FCSL or other ABA accredited law school. All MPP courses must be completed in six years after starting the JU MPP courses.
The policies of each school govern when the student is taking courses at that institution. Additionally, students will pay tuition to FCSL for the credits taken at the law school to earn the JD degree, and the students will pay JU for the MPP courses.
Program Requirements
Students attending JU PPI in year one will have the following course of study:
First Year: 24 MPP credits
Second Year: 30 JD credits
Third Year: 24 JD credits and six MPP credits
Fourth year: 24 JD credits and six MPP credits