Benefits of the Dual Degree Approach: A student may
complete a law degree and and MPA degree separately.
However, with advanced planning and advising, the student can
benefit from coordination of the two programs, enhancing both
the intellectual interaction of the two fields of study, as well as
expediting the completion of both degrees by transfer of credit,
on a limited basis, between the programs. John Jay College of
Criminal Justice and the CUNY Law School maintain an
agreement to coordinate consideration of applications for course
and credit transfers. With optimal planning and advising, a
student can obtain both the MPA and the JD degrees,
completing fewer credits than would be necessary to complete
both programs independently.
The MPA Program before law school: The student enrolls in
the MPA Program, on a part-time or full-time basis, following
graduation from college, and completes all required foundation
courses except for Public Administration 704 Economic
Principles for Public Administration. The student also
completes two of four specialization courses: Public
Administration 760 Court Administration and Public
Administration 761 Court Planning and Management Systems.
On a full-time basis, these courses can be completed during two
regular semesters and one summer semester. On a part-time
basis, these courses may take four semesters to complete. While
enrolled in the MPA Program, the student must apply to and be
accepted into law school. The student then completes a
three-year curriculum in law school, including an internship
program in a setting related to court administration.
Transfer of Credit: The student applies to John Jay College to
transfer 12 credits of law courses for credit toward fulfillment
of requirements of the MPA Program: 6 credits of
internship/clinical to substitute for PAD 780 and 781,
Contracts: Law and a Market Economy to substitute for Public
Administration 704 Economic Principles for Public
Administration and 3 credits of another law course to serve as
an elective course in the MPA Program. The student will apply
to law school to transfer 6 credits of MPA courses: Public
Administration 760 Court Administration, and Public
Administration 761 Court Planning and Management Systems.
All courses would serve as electives within the law curriculum.
The student must also take and pass the preliminary and final
Comprehensive Examination for the MPA Program. Upon
satisfaction of the requirements for each degree program, the
student will receive both the Master of Public Administration
and the Juris Doctor degrees.
The MPA Program during Law School: The student
completes a three-year curriculum in law school, including an
internship program in a setting related to court administration.
The student applies to, and must be accepted by the MPA
Program at John Jay College, attends on a part-time or full-time
basis, and completes all required foundation courses. On a
full-time basis, these courses can be completed during two
regular semesters and one summer semester. On a part-time
basis, these courses may take four semesters to complete.
Transfer of Credit: The student will apply to John Jay College
to transfer 12 credits of law courses for credit toward fulfillment
of requirements of the MPA Program: 6 credits of
internship/clinical course to substitute for PAD 780 and 781, 3
credits for the CUNY law class in Court Administration to
substitute for PAD 760, and 3 credits of Contracts: Law and a
Market Economy to substitute for PAD 704. The student may
apply to law school to transfer 6 credits of MPA courses: Public
Administration 705 Organization Theory and Management and
Public Administration 761 Court Planning and Management
Systems. All courses would serve as electives within the law
curriculum. The student must also take and pass the preliminary
and final Comprehensive Examination for the MPA Program.
Upon satisfaction of the requirements for each degree program,
the student will receive both the Master of Public
Administration and the Juris Doctor degrees.
The MPA Program following law school: Prior to enrollment in the MPA Program, the student may apply to the Program Director to transfer up to 12 credits of law school courses to satisfy requirements of the program.
For further information: Contact Professor Ned Benton, the MPA specialization coordinator for Court Administration, at (212) 237-8043.