Public Policy and Juris Doctor Dual Degree (M.P.P./J.D.)

Program Overview

The Public Policy and Juris Doctor (M.P.P./J.D.) Dual Degree program at the University of New Hampshire combines a Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of law and public policy. The program equips graduates with analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills to address complex public policy challenges and pursue careers in government, public interest law, academia, and non-profit organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Public Policy and Juris Doctor (M.P.P./J.D.) Dual Degree program at the University of New Hampshire provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how legal and public policy issues are interconnected. The program equips graduates with the critical skills and knowledge necessary to address complex public policy challenges and make a meaningful impact in the contemporary world of law and public policy. Upon completion of the program, graduates will have earned both a Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) degree and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. The M.P.P. degree focuses on developing students' analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills in the context of public policy. The J.D. degree provides students with a thorough grounding in the legal system and prepares them for a career in law. The dual degree program is designed to provide students with a unique and integrated perspective on public policy and law. Graduates of the program will be well-equipped to pursue careers in a variety of fields, including government, public interest law, and academia.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Students complete their first year of the Juris Doctor program at the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law.

Year 2:

• Students complete one year of coursework in the M.P.P.
program at the Carsey School of Public Policy.

Year 3:

• Students return to the law school for their final one and one-half years of coursework.

Curriculum:

• Core Curriculum Courses (5 Courses):
• Fundamentals of Policy Analysis
• Policy Across Borders
• Strategy and Practice of Public Policy
• Economics for Public Policy
• Quantitative Methods for Policy Research
• Experiential Learning Activities (4 Courses):
• Washington DC Colloquium
• Policy Capstone Planning
• Policy Capstone
• Policy Internship

Curriculum:

• First Year Required Courses:
• The Legal Profession
• Civil Procedure
• Constitutional Law
• Contracts
• Property
• Torts
• Fundamentals of Law Practice or Fundamentals of Intellectual Property
• Legal Research and Information Literacy
• Legal Analysis and Writing 1
• Legal Analysis and Writing 2
• Third Year Required Courses:
• Criminal Procedure I: The Law of Criminal Investigation
• Administrative Process
• Professional Responsibility
• Upper Level Requirements:
• Upper Level Skills Requirement (3 credits)
• Upper Level Writing Requirement (3 credits)
• Experiential Learning Requirement (6 credits)
• J.D.
Elective Courses (12 credits)

Assessment:

The M.P.P. program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Exams
• Papers
• Presentations
• Projects
• Participation
The J.D. program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
• Exams
• Papers
• Briefs
• Oral arguments
• Clinical work

Teaching:

The M.P.P. and J.D. programs are taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. The faculty use a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Discussions
• Case studies
• Simulations
• Experiential learning

Careers:

Graduates of the M.P.P./J.D. Dual Degree program are well-prepared for a variety of careers in the public policy and legal fields. Some common career paths include:

• Government: Policy analyst, legislative aide, regulatory affairs specialist
• Public interest law: Public defender, civil rights attorney, environmental lawyer
• Academia: Professor, researcher
• Non-profit: Executive director, program manager, grant writer