糖心logo入口

Skip to main content
UMass Law students in front of the UMass Law building

Juris Doctor & Master of Public Policy
JD, MPP

The joint JD/MPP degree program, offered by UMass Law and UMass Dartmouth's College of Arts & Sciences, gives you the opportunity to enroll in the online Master of Public Policy (MPP) program and the traditional, on-campus Juris Doctor (JD) program simultaneously in a structure that is compatible with part-time and full-time study.

Bridge law and public policy

The joint JD/MPP degree program lets you integrate advanced policy studies and a law school education in a structure that is compatible with part-time as well as full-time study.

As a law student, you’ll master essential legal skills, learn the fundamentals of statutory and case law, and explore new and emerging areas of practice. The integration of knowledge, theory, ethics, and skills will prepare you to thrive in the changing legal profession.

The online Master of Public Policy program course of study focuses on policy analysis, applied research, and public management skills. It provides preparation for advancement or employment in:

  • state, federal, and municipal governments
  • nonprofit organizations
  • non-governmental organizations
  • business, trade, and labor associations

Student success

Portrait of Mary Brigh Lavery, JD/MPP candidate '20

Student spotlight

Mary Brigh Lavery, JD/MPP candidate '20: Rappaport Scholar

A public interest fellow, Mary Brigh Lavery interned this summer with the 糖心logo入口 Caucus of Women Legislators.

Classes are held during the day and evening hours. The schedule for a full-time student, after the first year of full-time law study, would comprise of three JD courses during the day and two online MPP courses, a course load of 15 credits sequenced so that the student moves through the curriculum expeditiously.

Both degrees may be completed full-time in four calendar years, and may be accelerated by taking summer courses. A part-time student typically completes both degrees in five years with summer study. Students must complete both degrees within seven years.

Up to six credits (of the 90 needed to be awarded a JD) can be earned in courses that are offered in the Public Policy program if the course has been approved in advance by  the Law School, provided that the student earned the credits while enrolled in the MPP program and that the student earned the credits no more than three years prior to the student’s matriculation in the JD program.

Currently recognized courses:

  1. POL 500: Public Institutions and the Policy Process
  2. POL 530: Policy Analysis
  3. POL 541: State and Local Public Finance
  4. POL 663: Ocean Policy and Law
  5. MGT 600: Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Law
  6. MGT 675: Managing Across Cultures
  7. MGT 677: Lead, Motivate, & Empower

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

Applicants with baccalaureate degrees in any field who meet the entrance requirements of each program are eligible to apply.

More information

University requirements for graduate admissions

  • Be sure to provide your full legal name and to capitalize the first letter of all proper nouns.
  • Pay non-refundable $60 application fee (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) via the online portal. For Nursing applicants, the non-refundable application fee is $75.
  • Statement of Purpose, minimum 300 words. Unless otherwise indicated in the program requirement details, indicate your graduate study objectives, research interests and experience, and business or industry experience if applicable. If you are applying for a teaching or research assistantship, include any special skills or experience that would assist us in making assistantship decisions.
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not). Unofficial transcripts are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled a final official transcript is required. International students applying with an transcript evaluation, please submit that document with your unofficial transcripts. International applicants for Data Science must submit semester-by-semester transcripts as well as consolidated transcripts. 
  • Many programs have specific recommendations/requirements, please see the additional program-specific requirements for more information.
  • English Proficiency Requirement: If you are a Domestic student and English is not your native language or you are an International student, you must provide the university with verification of your proficiency in English. This is required of any applicant who did not earn a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited academic institution in the U.S. or accepted English-speaking country, see exemptions for more details. MOI (Medium of Instruction) does not meet our exemption requirements. The official TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, Pearson PTE or Duolingo (if accepted by program) score meets this requirement. Unofficial scores are accepted for admissions application review, once enrolled official scores are required and must be sent by the testing agency (copies/scans not accepted). We require an overall/total minimum score of 72 on the TOEFL iBT (New TOEFL 2026 score of 4) or BAND 6.0 on the IELTS Academic or a 52 on the Pearsons PTE Academic for entrance to any program and a minimum score of 79 on the TOEFL iBT (New TOEFL 2026 score of 4) or BAND 6.5 on the IELTS Academic for consideration for a teaching assistantship. Some programs require higher minimum scores (see program-specific requirements). Most programs also accept the Duolingo with a minimum score of 95. The following programs do not accept the Duolingo: Art Education, Biology/Marine Biology, Nursing (MS, DNP, PhD), Psychology: Clinical and Public Policy. 
  • All official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Application dates

Study online

The MPP degree is offered fully online. Master of Public Policy students choose one of the following policy concentrations:

  • Environmental Policy
  • Education Policy
  • Public Management

Explore more

Course descriptions, schedules and requirements

Related information

UMass Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the , 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610, 312.988.6738.