The LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Law School offer a dual degree program leading to two graduate degrees: the Master of Global Policy Studies (MGPS) degree and the Doctor of Jurisprudence. The dual degree program responds to an increased need in both the public and private sectors for specialists with an advanced understanding of the global environment and facility in legal reasoning and credentials for the practice of law.
Degree Requirements
The program is structured so that students can earn both degrees simultaneously in approximately four academic years. Degrees are awarded when the required course work in both areas is completed. In general, students will progress through the dual degree curriculum by taking either degree’s first-year sequence in their first year, taking the other degree’s first-year sequence in their second year, and then taking electives and specialization requirements in subsequent years. Students in the dual degree program take a total 107 credit hours of work including 70 hours for the JD and 37 hours for the MGPS.
School of Law
The required 70 law credit hours must include all courses listed as ‘Required First-Year Courses’ and ‘Required Advanced Courses’ on the Degree Requirements page.
Global Policy Studies
For more information, see the LBJ School of Public Affairs website.
How to Apply
Students must apply to both programs separately and be accepted independently by both. While applicants are encouraged to apply to both programs simultaneously, applicants may also apply for the other program during the student’s first year at whichever program they begin.
Advisors
Texas Law
Adam Klein, Senior Lecturer
Director, The Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law
adam.klein@law.utexas.edu
LBJ School
Michele Deitch
michele.deitch@austin.utexas.edu