The combined J.D. and Master of Public Administration degrees may be earned in four years of classwork and an additional three months of the internship by enrollment in the joint degree program of the UNC School of Law and the UNC Master of Public Administration program. Admission to the law school and the M.P.A. program must be gained independently. A total of 86 semester hours is required for the J.D., including up to nine hours of coursework drawn from the M.P.A. curriculum. A total of 54 semester hours is required for the M.P.A., including up to 15 hours from the J.D. curriculum. Both degrees can be completed in a total of 116 semester hours, with prior approval of a joint degree plan of study. All degree requirements from both schools must be completed before the degrees are awarded.

Villanova’s Charles Widger School of Law and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences jointly offer the JD/MPA Program, which enables students who are enrolled in the JD program to simultaneously earn an MPA degree, all within three years. This dual degree program is designed for students who are interested in careers in public service and an interdisciplinary education that examines the relationship between law, public administration and management. In addition to the JD degree requirements, JD/MPA students are exposed to the theoretical aspects of public administration and organizations, as well as financial and human capital management, data analysis and leadership.