SDSU, USD Announce Joint Law and Master of Public Administration Degrees

San Diego State University and the University of San Diego announced a dual degree program Wednesday allowing students to earn both a Juris Doctor of Law and a Master of Public Administration, set to launch in fall 2025.

As part of the dual degrees, qualifying students can earn a JD/MPA simultaneously within eight semesters instead of 10 — the time that it would take to pursue both advanced degrees separately.

“We are excited to work in partnership with USD to offer this program, which integrates course work 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.

Interested current and prospective students are asked to apply by the respective university system deadlines before fall 2025. SDSU students would need to apply through Cal State Apply by Feb. 1, 2025. For USD, students would apply to the JD program during the rolling admissions cycle — which begins in mid-October — by Dec. 1 for early admission, Feb. 1 for regular priority admission or June 1 for regular admission deadlines.

According to the universities, 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 Schapiro, dean of the USD School 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.”

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. Students enrolled in the program will take course work on topics such as public and urban affairs, financial management, administration and public policy development, legal writing and research, constitutional law, criminal law and multistate Bar Exam review.

Within the 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.

Similar programs exist between universities such as Yale, Harvard, New York University, Duke University, Cornell and Carnegie Mellon University.

— City News Service