American University’s School of Public Affairs (SPA) and the Washington College of Law (WCL) jointly offer a dual degree program in law and public administration. The program is especially attractive for attorneys who hope to practice and innovate in the political, governmental and not-for-profit realms. The program provides a broad theoretical grounding in public administration and management, while also providing students with a practical education in the analysis and implementation of policy and law at all levels of government.

The program is designed such that both degrees can be completed in as few as three semesters, assuming attendance during summer terms, for a total of 42 credit hours.

Admission to the Program

Candidates for the dual LLM/MPA must satisfy the admission requirements of both the School of Public Affairs (SPA) and the Washington College of Law (WCL) to be admitted into this dual degree program. SPA accepts LSAT scores in place of the GRE normally required for admission. For entering law students, applications for this program are first reviewed by the law school. Upon admission to the law school, the application is forwarded to the School of Public Affairs for that school’s review and decision. Currently enrolled law students may apply during their studies at the law school.

For specific admission criteria employed by SPA, see the graduation admission and degree requirements for the Master of Public Administration.

Admission to either WCL or SPA does not guarantee admission to the other. Students who have been admitted to the MPA program may apply to WCL.

Degree Requirements

• 42 credit hours of approved graduate work (if earned as separate degrees, students must complete 42 credit hours for the MPA degree and 24 credit hours to earn the LLM degree; however, dual-degree students may apply up to 18 credits from WCL courses to the MPA and up to 6 credits from SPA courses to the LLM)
• Comprehensive written examination
• The research requirement is satisfied by completing two of the following courses with grades of B or better:
• • PUAD-605 Problem Solving for Managers (3) or PUAD-601 Methods of Problem Solving I (3)
  • PUAD-610 Management Analysis (3)
  • PUAD-630 Public Managerial Economics (3)
  • LAW-892 Washington Lawyer (2)
  • LAW-580 Introduction to American Legal Institutions (3) (for foreign students in the LLM program in international legal studies) or other 3-4 credit LAW course accepted for legal research requirement by WCL (for students not in the LLM program in international legal studies)

Course Requirements

• PUAD-605 Problem Solving for Managers (3) or PUAD-601 Methods of Problem Solving I (3)
• PUAD-610 Management Analysis (3)
• PUAD-630 Public Managerial Economics (3)
• PUAD-653 The Individual and the Organization (3)
• Two courses from the following, one of which may be replaced by a related 3- to 4-credit LAW course, pre-approved by the department:
• • PUAD-609 Topics in Public Management (3)
  • PUAD-611 Government and Non-Profit Institutions (3)
  • PUAD-615 Public-Private Partnerships (3)
  • PUAD-617 Project Management (3)
  • PUAD-650 Leadership in a Changing Workplace (3)
  • PUAD-652 Facilitation and Team Development (3)
• At least one course in public finance, budgeting or financial management from the following, with other options provided by the MPA advisor: PUAD-631 Financing Government Services (3); PUAD-632 Budget and Cost Analysis (3); PUAD-633 Financial Aspects of Public Management (3)
• Area of concentration (12-15 credit hours)

The student’s area of concentration may be fulfilled through courses taken at the law school or in an area of concentration approved by the Department of Public Administration and Policy.

Students beginning their careers are expected to participate in a supervised internship through the Department of Public Administration and Policy (up to 3 credit hours).

WCL coursework must include one of the following:

• LAW-601 Administrative Law (3-4) or an approved substitute from a list of courses available from the MPA advisor, which may include: LAW-877 Separation of Powers: Foundations of the Modern Administration State (3); LAW 788 Federal Regulatory Process (3); LAW 852 Law of Nonprofit Organizations (2); or LAW 881 Advanced Problems in Administrative Law and Regulatory Policy (2)
• Completion of 18 hours of coursework required for the LLM