Master of Public Administration/Juris Doctor
The College of Law and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies offer a joint Master of Public Administration/Juris Doctor degree. This joint program provides an opportunity to pursue studies in law and public affairs and public management concurrently. Students in the joint program use credit hours earned in one program to satisfy some or all of the elective course requirements for the other program, thus earning both degrees one to two terms earlier than would be required to earn each separately.
A joint MPA/J.D. enhances the employment opportunities for graduates of both programs by preparing students to meet the growing demands for lawyers with expertise in public management and for public administrators with legal expertise. Many recent law graduates are employed directly by government agencies, and others are employed by private and nonprofit sector organizations concerned with issues of public policy and public administration. Training in public administration is valuable to law graduates who seek this kind of employment. The field of public administration is also changing, with greater emphasis now on administrative law in M.P.A. curricula and greater attention to legal requirements in the training of public managers.
This joint degree is especially valuable to Georgia State University graduates, given the university’s location in downtown Atlanta and proximity to numerous federal, state, and local government agencies and to other private and nonprofit organizations with broad public affairs interests. The credibility of the joint degree nationally is evident through the many elite institutions which currently offer comparable programs.
Applicants must be separately admitted to both the J.D. and MPA programs and must request admission to the joint program. To apply to the College of Law, visit their website here: http://law.gsu.edu/admissions.
Applicants must be separately admitted to both the J.D. and MPA programs and must request admission to the joint program. To apply to the College of Law, visit their website here: http://law.gsu.edu/admissions.
Application Deadlines*
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
Priority Deadline – February 15 Regular Deadline – April 1 Late Deadline – June 1 Space Available Deadline – July 15 |
Regular Deadline-October 1 Late Deadline – November 1 |
*Online applications must be submitted and all materials received by the deadline to be reviewed for admission.
Application Submission Instructions
- Create an account.
- Start a new application.
- Select application type: “Graduate Programs”
- Click “Create an application”
- Click “Open Application” to begin your application
- On the “Program Selection” page:
- Select College: “Andrew Young School of Policy Studies”
- Select Program: “Public Administration; Master of Public Administration”
- Select Concentration: “Joint MPA/JD Program”
Application Requirements
A completed application includes:
- Submitted Online Application. All online applications must be submitted by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.
- Application fee: A nonrefundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
- Goal statement: The goal statement is your means of presenting yourself to the Graduate Admissions Committee. You should submit a short typed statement of personal and professional goals as they relate to the certificate or degree program you are seeking. Most applicants write approximately two typed pages, summarizing their work experience, the reasons they have chosen the program, why they want to attend Georgia State, and how the degree fits in with their career goals.
- Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores: Official scores must be reported to institution code 5251 and received by GA State by the application deadline. More information can be found at our Admissions FAQ page or, to schedule the test, at www.gre.org. Want to be considered for a GRE waiver? Review eligibility and apply here.
- TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores (International applicants only): All international applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores.
- Three letters of recommendation: All letters should be submitted through the online application.
- Upload Transcripts from each post-secondary college/university attended:
- Upload each transcript to the Academic History section of the online application before submitting your application -or- upload to your application status page under the Upload Materials section if your application has been submitted.
- Review all requirements for submitting transcripts here.
- Failure to follow these requirements will delay your application processing.
If you need assistance with the application process, please contact the Office of Admissions – Graduate Programs.
If you want to learn more about our programs, please contact the Office of Academic Assistance for the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at [email protected].
Contacts for Program Information
MPA/JD Questions
Jim Martin
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 413-0120
Office: 348 Andrew Young School
JD Questions
Shantay Bennett
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 413-9006
Office: 300 Urban Life Building
General Program Questions
Office of Academic Assistance
Phone: (404) 413-0021
Email: [email protected]
Walk-in hours:
2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mon., Thurs.
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tues., Wed.
The MPA/J.D. curriculum consists of 21 hours of required courses, a minimum of 15 hours of electives, and a three-hour internship. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise indicated.
Disclaimer
1. Required Core Courses:
PMAP 8111 Public Service and Democracy
PMAP 8121 Applied Research Methods and Statistics I
PMAP 8131 Applied Research Methods and Statistics II
PMAP 8141 Microeconomics for Public Policy
PMAP 8161 Public Budgeting and Finance
PMAP 8171 Management Systems and Strategies
PMAP 8431 Leadership and Organizational Behavior
2. Electives:
Students in the joint program use credit hours earned in one program to satisfy elective course requirements for the other program. The College of Law accepts up to 14 semester hours of approved 8000-level MPA coursework with grades of “B” or better, and the MPA program accepts up to 15 semester hours of approved law coursework. Typically, the student completes the first year of law courses prior to taking any public administration coursework. This is consistent with the College of Law requirement that students complete their first year without outside electives. Public administration courses are taken as electives during the second year and/or during summer sessions.
3. Internship:
An internship is required of MPA/J.D. students who do not have significant prior administrative experience in a public or nonprofit agency or related organization. The internship is expected to provide the student with an opportunity to apply concepts and skills associated with their MPA curriculum. This opportunity for professional growth and development requires enrollment in three hours of PMAP 8941. Students in the joint MPA/J.D. program can fulfill this requirement through internships in legal affairs and administrative law offices and law firms. Students who are taking an externship through the College of Law may be able to use that work experience to fulfill the requirements of the MPA internship. That option should be discussed with the MPA/J.D. faculty Advisor and the MPA internship coordinators prior to beginning the externship. Students with substantial prior administrative experience may petition to waive the internship requirement. Petition forms are available from the Office of Academic Assistance. MPA/J.D. students may choose to conduct a practicum — an applied research project, in lieu of the internship. The practicum represents an excellent option for working students who are interested in additional research experience. It also represents an excellent option for working students who do not qualify for an internship waiver, but who could pursue a practicum research project in their employing agency.
Choosing Classes
Careers
For help with your career direction, contact AYSPS Career Services. Attend our frequent workshops or work one-on-one with a career counselor to optimize your job search.
Talk to an Advisor:
MPA/JD Questions
Jim Martin
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 413-0120
Office: 348 Andrew Young School
JD Questions
Shantay Bennett
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 413-9006
Office: 300 Urban Life Building
Office of Academic Assistance
http://aysps.gsu.edu/oaa/
Telephone: 404-413-0021
[email protected]
The College of Law and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies offer a joint Master of Public Administration/Juris Doctor degree. This joint program provides an opportunity to pursue studies in law and public affairs and public management concurrently. Students in the joint program use credit hours earned in one program to satisfy some or all of the elective course requirements for the other program, thus earning both degrees one to two terms earlier than would be required to earn each separately.
A joint MPA/J.D. enhances the employment opportunities for graduates of both programs by preparing students to meet the growing demands for lawyers with expertise in public management and for public administrators with legal expertise. Many recent law graduates are employed directly by government agencies, and others are employed by private and nonprofit sector organizations concerned with issues of public policy and public administration. Training in public administration is valuable to law graduates who seek this kind of employment. The field of public administration is also changing, with greater emphasis now on administrative law in M.P.A. curricula and greater attention to legal requirements in the training of public managers.
This joint degree is especially valuable to Georgia State University graduates, given the university’s location in downtown Atlanta and proximity to numerous federal, state, and local government agencies and to other private and nonprofit organizations with broad public affairs interests. The credibility of the joint degree nationally is evident through the many elite institutions which currently offer comparable programs.
Applicants must be separately admitted to both the J.D. and MPA programs and must request admission to the joint program. To apply to the College of Law, visit their website here: http://law.gsu.edu/admissions/3186.html.
Applicants must be separately admitted to both the J.D. and MPA programs and must request admission to the joint program. To apply to the College of Law, visit their website here: http://law.gsu.edu/admissions/3186.html.
Application Deadlines*
Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
Priority Deadline – February 15 Regular Deadline – April 1 Late Deadline – June 1 Space Available Deadline – July 15 |
Regular Deadline-October 1 Late Deadline – November 1 |
*Online applications must be submitted and all materials received by the deadline to be reviewed for admission.
Application Submission Instructions
- Create an account.
- Start a new application.
- Select application type: “Graduate Programs”
- Click “Create application”
- Click “Open Application” to begin your application
- On the “Program Selection” page:
- Select College: “Andrew Young School of Policy Studies”
- Select Program: “Public Administration; Master of Public Administration”
- Select Concentration: “Joint MPA/JD Program”
Application Requirements
A completed application includes:
- Submitted Online Application. All online applications must be submitted by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.
- Application fee: A nonrefundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
- Goal statement: The goal statement is your means of presenting yourself to the Graduate Admissions Committee. You should submit a short typed statement of personal and professional goals as they relate to the certificate or degree program you are seeking. Most applicants write approximately two typed pages, summarizing their work experience, the reasons they have chosen the program, why they want to attend Georgia State, and how the degree fits in with their career goals.
- Official GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores: Official scores must be reported to institution code 5251 and received by GA State by the application deadline. More information can be found at our Admissions FAQ page or, to schedule the test, at www.gre.org. Want to be considered for a GRE waiver? Review eligibility and apply here.
- TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores (International applicants only): All international applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores.
- Three letters of recommendation: All letters should be submitted through the online application.
- Upload Transcripts from each post-secondary college/university attended:
- Upload each transcript to the Academic History section of the online application before submitting your application -or- upload to your application status page under the Upload Materials section if your application has been submitted.
- Review all requirements for submitting transcripts here.
- Failure to follow these requirements will delay your application processing.
If you issues with your online application, please email [email protected].
Contacts for Program Information
MPA/JD Questions
Jim Martin
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 413-0120
Office: 348 Andrew Young School
JD Questions
Shantay Bennett
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 413-9006
Office: 300 Urban Life Building
General Program Questions
Office of Academic Assistance
Phone: (404) 413-0021
Email: [email protected]
Walk-in hours:
2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mon., Thurs.
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tues., Wed.
The MPA/J.D. curriculum consists of 21 hours of required courses, a minimum of 15 hours of electives, and a three-hour internship. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise indicated.
Disclaimer
1. Required Core Courses:
PMAP 8111 Public Service and Democracy
PMAP 8121 Applied Research Methods and Statistics I
PMAP 8131 Applied Research Methods and Statistics II
PMAP 8141 Microeconomics for Public Policy
PMAP 8161 Public Budgeting and Finance
PMAP 8171 Management Systems and Strategies
PMAP 8431 Leadership and Organizational Behavior
2. Electives:
Students in the joint program use credit hours earned in one program to satisfy elective course requirements for the other program. The College of Law accepts up to 14 semester hours of approved 8000-level MPA coursework with grades of “B” or better, and the MPA program accepts up to 15 semester hours of approved law coursework. Typically, the student completes the first year of law courses prior to taking any public administration coursework. This is consistent with the College of Law requirement that students complete their first year without outside electives. Public administration courses are taken as electives during the second year and/or during summer sessions.
3. Internship:
An internship is required of MPA/J.D. students who do not have significant prior administrative experience in a public or nonprofit agency or related organization. The internship is expected to provide the student with an opportunity to apply concepts and skills associated with their MPA curriculum. This opportunity for professional growth and development requires enrollment in three hours of PMAP 8941. Students in the joint MPA/J.D. program can fulfill this requirement through internships in legal affairs and administrative law offices and law firms. Students who are taking an externship through the College of Law may be able to use that work experience to fulfill the requirements of the MPA internship. That option should be discussed with the MPA/J.D. faculty Advisor and the MPA internship coordinators prior to beginning the externship. Students with substantial prior administrative experience may petition to waive the internship requirement. Petition forms are available from the Office of Academic Assistance. MPA/J.D. students may choose to conduct a practicum — an applied research project, in lieu of the internship. The practicum represents an excellent option for working students who are interested in additional research experience. It also represents an excellent option for working students who do not qualify for an internship waiver, but who could pursue a practicum research project in their employing agency.
Choosing Classes
Careers
For help with your career direction, contact AYSPS Career Services. Attend our frequent workshops or work one-on-one with a career counselor to optimize your job search.
Talk to an Advisor:
MPA/JD Questions
Jim Martin
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 413-0120
Office: 348 Andrew Young School
JD Questions
Shantay Bennett
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 413-9006
Office: 300 Urban Life Building
Office of Academic Assistance
http://aysps.gsu.edu/oaa/
Telephone: 404-413-0021
[email protected]