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Juris Doctor Admissions Office

JD/MBA Dual Degree Admissions

The Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD)/MBA program at WCL provides an excellent opportunity for students who desire to combine skills and develop expertise in both law and business. This program adequately prepares students for virtually any career in either arena.

Because some courses can be counted toward both degrees, you can finish the two degrees in less time than it would take to earn them individually. The JD/MBA degree can be completed in four years. JD/MBA students are enrolled in both the Washington College of Law and the Kogod School of Business at American University.

Course work includes the MBA fundamentals, including managerial economics, financial accounting, organizational behavior, marketing management, business ethics, financial management, and management information systems. The law curriculum adds a theoretical dimension to the applied and practical study of business.

Whether you choose to practice law for the business community or want to pursue a career as a business person with legal training, you will profit from a greater understanding of both disciplines. Studies of international and domestic issues increase your marketability in the current global economy. As a graduate of this program you are well equipped for a career as an in-house counsel or outside legal advisor in government or in the private sector--or as a member of a business management team.

Admission

For admission to the JD/MBA program you must have a baccalaurcate degree from an accredited college or university and take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Applications are accepted for the entering class between October 1 and March 1 for the following fall semester only. Primary emphasis is given to the undergraduate record LSAT scores and other major acccomplishrments and achievements whether academic work-related or extracurricular.

Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements of both WCL and the Kogod School of Business. The Kogod School of Business requires a satisfactory grade point average for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study. If you are a JD candidate Kogod will accept the LSAT in lieu of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). Admission to the MBA portion of the JD/MBA is highly selective. Please note that we strongly recommend having a minimum of 2 years of full time work experience.

You need complete only the law school's application form and indicate in the 'degree objective' portion of the application that you are applying for the combined program. You are judged by the law school on the same criteria as non dual-degree candidates. If accepted by the law school your admissions file is forwarded to Kogod for a decision. You will then be asked to send or email (kogodmba@american.edu) a current resume to Kogod Graduate Admissions, along with a personal statement addressing your career goals and ability to undertake graduate business education at this time (300-500 words).

For current WCL students interested in adding the MBA portion to their degree, you may apply to the dual-degree program by requesting in writing that the law school registrar's office forward your application and transcripts to the Kogod School of Business. You must fill out a Supplemental Form requesting a personal statement and updated resume.

Degree Requirements

MBA Career Tracks

Your MBA career track is completed by taking 9 credit hours in one of the following career tracks:

Academic Resources and Career Opportunities

In the JD/MBA program you have access to the many educational resources in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. These include the consortium of universities' libraries, federal agencies, trade associations, and embassies. The university also offers formal and informal academic and personal counseling services to students enrolled in WCL and Kogod.

American University has ties with more than 1,400 private, public, and nonprofit organizations throughout the world. WCL's field components, in conjunction with a seminar, also allow you to work, with an attorney in the Securities Exchange Commission, the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, or many other governmental agencies where your legal skills will be valued.

WCL's Office of Career & Professional Development provides current information on various law firms, corporations, public interest groups, and governmental agencies. In addition to coordinating on-campus recruitment, the office also advises you on resume preparation and other topics.

Student Activities

As a dual-degree student you will be eligible to compete for positions on various law journal staffs. These include American University Law Review, Administrative Law Review, American University International Law Review, American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law, and the Business Law Brief. In addition, the Student Bar Association, Business Law Society, Real Estate Law Association, Graduate Business Association, International Business and Trade Interest Group (IBTIG), Graduate Business Association, and the Kogod JD/MBA Student Club offer opportunities for participation.

For more information contact:

JD
American University
Washington College of Law
Office of Admissions
4801 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Suite #507
Washington, DC 20016-8186
202-274-4101
wcladmit@wcl.american.edu
http://www.wcl.american.edu

MBA
Graduate Programs
Kogod School of Business
American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
202-885-1913
kogodjdmba@american.edu
http://www.kogod.american.edu/jdmba

Program is subject to change without prior notice.

An equal opportunity/affirmative action university.
UP 97-260

JD/MS in Justice, Law and Society | JD/MBA | JD/MA in International Affairs

 
Washington College of Law  -  4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW  -  Washington, DC 20016  -  202-274-4000