USD, SDSU Launch Dual JD/MPA Program

San Diego State University (SDSU) and the University of San Diego (USD) have partnered to launch a new dual degree program that allows students to earn both a Juris Doctor of Law (JD) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA). As part of the new degree offering, qualifying students can earn a JD/MPA simultaneously within eight semesters instead of 10 semesters, which is the time that it would take to pursue both advanced degrees separately.

The program begins in Fall 2025, and interested current and prospective students are asked to apply by the respective university system deadlines. For SDSU, students would need to apply through Cal State Apply by February 1, 2025. For USD, students would apply to the JD program during the rolling admissions cycle beginning mid-October with the following deadlines: December 1 (early admission), February 1 (regular priority admission) or June 1 (regular admission) deadlines. 

Students who are currently enrolled within SDSU’s MPA program or USD’s JD degree program are qualified to apply if they are in good academic standing at their home institution.

“We are excited to work in partnership with USD to offer this program, which integrates coursework from both disciplines to foster a holistic understanding of the intersections between law and public administration,” said Roddrick Colvin, SDSU director and professor of public administration in the School of Public Affairs. 

Students enrolled in the accelerated program will take coursework on topics that include; public and urban affairs, financial management, administration and public policy development, legal writing and research, constitutional law, criminal law and multistate Bar Exam review, in addition to other areas. 

The dual degree can lead to careers as a policy analyst, compliance officer, urban planner, government attorney, government affairs director and other positions with non-profits or government agencies at the local, state or federal levels.  

“This exciting collaboration between USD and SDSU offers students both deep insights into the law and the legal system and substantial expertise in formulating and implementing public policy,” said Robert A. Schapiro, dean of the USD School of Law and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law. “The program prepares innovative leaders to confront society’s most pressing challenges, including through public service in the governmental or non-profit sectors.”

With the USD/SDSU partnership, students will pay tuition and fees at the university in which they are enrolled. For example, students enrolled within SDSU’s MPA program who are then accepted into the joint JD/MPA program, will pay tuition set by the CSU system. Students will not need to pay additional tuition or fees associated with the program, but should be prepared to change class locations based on their year of study. 

JD/MPA programs tend to be highly competitive and difficult to access in the United States. Such programs exist at and between universities such as Yale, Harvard, New York University, Duke University, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon University. No such degree program exists within the California State University (CSU) system, of which SDSU is a part. 

Additional information about the dual program can be found on the dedicated JDM/MPA websites for both USD and SDSU.