Marquette University offers several dual degree programs for law students. A candidate seeking to apply for any joint degree program must file and complete two separate applications: one for the Law School and one for the other degree program. The LSAT can be used as an entrance exam for any of the approved programs listed below.
Joint degree candidates should enroll at the Law School before applying to the other degree program. It is recommended that law students who wish to pursue joint degree programs begin the other degree program in their second year of law school.
Approved Joint Degree Programs
J.D./M.B.A.
The Law School, in conjunction with the College of Business Administration, offers a program of joint study leading to a Juris Doctorate degree and an MBA degree. Joint program students complete 81 credit hours in the Law School and 22.5-30 Business credit hours beyond required foundation courses in the MBA program. Up to 21 hours of a JD/MBA student's course work will count jointly toward both degrees (9-12 hours of Law School credit may be applied to MBA requirements and as many as 9 hours of MBA credits may be applied to JD elective requirements). Most students successfully complete the combined MBA/JD program in 3 to 4 years. This is done by blending MBA and Law requirements during the 2nd and 3rd years of Law School. More information can be found on the Graduate School of Management's website.
M.B.A. Contact Person:
Sofie Sanchez, Graduate Program Admissions Recruiter, Graduate School
Phone: (414) 288-8400
Email: sofie.sanchez@marquette.edu
J.D./M.B.A. in Sports Business
The joint JD/MBA in Sports Business is offered through Marquette University's Law School and the Graduate School of Management. The program enables students to earn both degrees in less time than if each degree were pursued separately. By also earning the National Sports Law Institute's Sports Law Certificate, Marquette students have the opportunity to combine their knowledge of sports law with a graduate business education that will provide them with a unique package of educational credentials that promises to be attractive to sports industry employers. Graduates will acquire knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and practical legal and business issues likely to be encountered by sport organizations in the 21st century. The hallmark of the joint degree program is the readily transferable legal and business knowledge and skills learned in both programs, which can be applied to a wide range of employment opportunities outside the sports industry.
Students interested in participating in the JD/MBA in Sports Business joint degree program must separately apply to and be accepted into Marquette's JD and MBA programs. Students generally enroll at Marquette University Law School and complete the required first year law curriculum before beginning to take classes in the MBA program, or any sports law courses that are available for second- or third-year law students. Typically, students enrolled in the joint JD/MBA in Sports Business program will take between 4 and 5 years to complete the requirements to receive both degrees. However, students have up to 6 years to complete the MBA degree, and up to 4 years to complete the JD requirements (6 years for part-time students). Additional information on this joint program can be found here.
J.D./M.B.A. in Sports Business Contacts:
Professor Paul Anderson, Director, Sports Law Program
Phone: (414) 288-5816
Email: paul.anderson@marquette.edu
Graduate School of Management
Phone: (414) 288-7145
Email: mba@marquette.edu
J.D./M.A. Political Science and J.D./M.A. International Affairs
The joint J.D./M.A. Program in Law and Political Science or International Affairs allows students to complete the two degrees in 4 years, whereas pursuing them separately would require 5 years. This is possible because up to 18 hours of student's course work will count jointly towards both degrees (9 hours of Political Science credits may be applied towards the law degree and 9 hours of Law School credits may be applied to the Political Science degree). Students seeking admission to the dual program must apply to both the Graduate School Department of Political Science and the Law School. Additional information regarding the dual J.D./M.A. Political Science can be found here. More information regarding the J.D./M.A International Affairs can be found here.
Contact Office:
Marquette University Graduate School
Phone: (414) 288-7137
Email: mugs@marquette.edu
Additional Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Study
The Law School and Medical College of Wisconsin have partnered to provide a special opportunity to students interested in pursuing Master's level coursework in Bioethics at the Medical College. Law students may apply up to six credits from a list of approved courses at the Medical College toward the Juris Doctor degree. Students must earn a grade of "B" or better for the credits to apply; the grade will not apply to a student's Law GPA.
In addition, with prior approval from the associate dean for academic affairs, Marquette law students are eligible to take up to six credits of graduate-level coursework at Marquette for credit toward their J.D. When seeking approval from the associate dean, students must explain how the course will advance the student's legal education. Students must earn a grade of "B" or better for the credits to apply; the grade will not apply to a student's Law GPA. For information about courses that have already been approved by the associate dean for academic affairs, current students may contact Law School Registrar Nicole Toerpe Mason.
Current Marquette law students interested in pursuing a joint degree with a Marquette graduate program other than the ones listed above may petition the Academic Regulations Committee for approval to do so, upon a showing that the graduate degree will advance the student's legal education. Students will also need to receive approval from the appropriate graduate department to determine if the department is willing to accept up law credits toward the graduate degree.
Law School Contacts
Prospective and admitted students with questions about the Law School's joint degree programs are encouraged to contact Director of Admissions and Recruitment Stephanie Nikolay, (414) 288-8062, stephanie.nikolay@marquette.edu.
Current Marquette law students with questions are encouraged to stop by suite 238 during Walk-in Wednesdays or contact Assistant Dean of Students Anna Fodor or Law School Registrar Nicole Toerpe Mason.