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The Kroc School's JD/MAPJ Concurrent Degree is the only program in the country that combines the graduate studies of peacebuilding and human rights advocacy with legal training.
If you believe as we do, that in every great challenge, there is great opportunity to learn, to discover and to achieve the highest vision we hold for ourselves and each other, then we encourage you to join us.
Spring 2026 Application Deadlines
Fall 2026 Application Deadlines
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis, with most applicants hearing back within a few weeks of submitting a complete application. The next review deadline is the 19th of each month. Merit award applications are sent only to admitted students, so apply early if you plan to request merit-based financial aid.
Application process
Students pursuing a concurrent JD/MAPJ degree are required to separately apply to both programs. In addition to the MAPJ admission requirements, see the University of San Diego School of Law for more information.
We consider a number of factors that allow us to assess how applicants will contribute to creating a diverse and inclusive community, which is essential to the excellence of a world-class school of peace studies. As part of our mission, we cultivate a community that reflects the full range of the human experience, such as: age, race, ethnicity, gender expression and identity, language, different abilities, learning style, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, status as a veteran, and political and worldviews.
Each applicant is evaluated using holistic review, and students are selected on the basis of grades, experience, exam scores (if submitted), recommendations and four short essays. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is required for admission. Applicants with undergraduate degrees of all majors are encouraged to apply; success is not determined by the undergraduate degree because the JD/MAPJ program is multidisciplinary and practice-based.
Application checklist
The JD/MAPJ does not require specific coursework or experience for admission. The LSAT is the only required standardized admission test.
For more information about the JD/MAPJ Concurrent Degree program, visit JD/MAPJ FAQs.
Official (degree-granting) transcripts
Must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission:
Office of Graduate Admission
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
grads@sandiego.edu
Applicants must have a 3.0 (on 4.00 scale) average in all undergraduate coursework. If you earned a degree from an institution outside the United States, you are required to submit an official international transcript evaluation (also called a foreign credential evaluation) as part of your application. Please note that the evaluation must be a course-by-course evaluation. You must order your official course-by-course evaluation from one of the following evaluation services.
- World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
- International Education Research Foundation, Inc. (IERF)
- Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. (JSA)
- SpanTran: The Evaluation Company (SpanTran)
- Foreign Academic Credential Service (FACS)
Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
Should include all relevant education and employment information to help the Admissions team make an informed decision.
Two letters of recommendation
Two letters (2) of recommendation are required. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your capabilities (academic, professional, personal all welcome). In case of a GPA of 3.3 or lower, it is recommended to provide at least one academic reference. Alternatively, you can add a paragraph to the personal statement explaining why you think you could successfully complete the program.
Four short essays
To help us understand who you are and what inspires you to seek a master's degree in Peace and Justice.
Reflect on your experiences and expectations for the future as you address the questions in no more than 1,000 words total (about 250 words each). Be sure to answer all the questions.
- What specific social issue or problem concerns you the most? Why?
- In your opinion, what are the biggest obstacles to solving that problem?
- Describe something that has inspired you to be who you are or who you want to be.
- Why do you want to pursue a Master's in Peace and Justice at the Kroc School in particular? Be sure to address how a Master of Arts in Peace and Justice fits into your professional plan or career trajectory.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
International students only
Mandatory for all applicants educated outside the United States whose primary language is not English. The test can be waived if English is your primary language or you have obtained a bachelor's degree from the U.S., Great Britain, Canada or Australia. Other exceptions can be made on a case by case basis.
Minimum scores
- TOEFL: 90 total
- 24 for speaking
- 25 for writing
- IELTS: 7 total
- 7 listening
- 7.5 speaking
OR
An official score report from the Duolingo English Test with a score of 120 or better.
USD admission quick links
Questions?
Connect with the Kroc School's admissions team to learn more about our degree programs