Harris Public Policy and the Law School at the University of Chicago offer students an opportunity to earn both a MPP and a JD degree at the intersection of law, regulation, and markets.

Earn your MPP and JD in four years with this joint degree program. This program is ideal for students who want to understand the regulatory and legal issues related to public policy in a comprehensive course of study. Upon completion, graduates are awarded both a Master of Public Policy from Harris and a Doctor of Law from the Law School and can move into positions in law, policy, or regulatory affairs.

Program Details

Curriculum

At Harris Public Policy:

  • Students in this program take the six required core courses at Harris, plus eight electives for a total of 14 courses (1400 units of credit). Ten of the 14 courses must be public policy (PPHA) courses. All 14 are taken during the four quarters of registration at the Harris. The Harris core courses, listed below, provide a foundation in critical analysis, reflecting Harris's belief that mastering quantitative and analytical skills prepares students to be effective public policy leaders:

  • Analytical Politics I:

    • PPHA 30800 Analytical Politics I: Strategic Foundations, or

    • PPHA 41501 - PhD Game Theory (instructor approval required).

  • Analytical Politics II: 

    • PPHA 31610 Analytical Politics II: Political Institutions

  • Statistics Sequence I:

    • PPHA 31002 Statistics for Data Analysis I, or

    • PPHA 31202 Advanced Statistics for Data Analysis I, or

    • Any course in the PhD econometrics sequence (instructor approval required): PPHA 42000, PPHA 42100, or PPHA 42200

  • Statistics Sequence II:

    • PPHA 31102 Statistics for Data Analysis II: Regressions, or

    • PPHA 31302 Advanced Statistics for Data Analysis II, or

    • Any course in the PhD econometrics sequence (instructor approval required): PPHA 42000, PPHA 42100, or PPHA 42200

  • Microeconomics Sequence I:

    • PPHA 32300 Principles of Microeconomics and Public Policy I, or

    • PPHA 44100 PhD Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis I (instructor approval required)

  • Microeconomics Sequence II:

    • PPHA 32400 Principles of Microeconomics and Public Policy II, or

    • PPHA 44200 PhD Advanced Microeconomics for Policy Analysis II (instructor approval required)

At the Law School:

  • For the JD degree, students must successfully complete 105 credit hours, plus residency/registration requirements. Students may apply one academic quarter of up to four 100 unit courses taken within Harris toward the hours required to obtain their law degree. This enables students to earn both degrees in four years. Both degrees must be awarded in the same quarter.
Other Requirements

Students who wish to participate in this program must complete the separate admissions processes to both the Harris and the Law School. Students already admitted to the Harris may apply during their first year to the Law School; those admitted to the Law School may apply during their first or second year to Harris.

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.7 for all courses, based on a 4.0 scale, for all courses used toward the MPP degree

  • A grade of C- or better for the 6 core courses

  • Completion of the math requirement (support available)

    • Pass algebra exam

    • Pass calculus exam

  • Completion of an practical experience requirement (more information)

  • No more than 2 reading/research, independent study, or internship courses

  • No more than 1 course taken Pass/Fail (core courses cannot be taken pass/fail)

  • Courses with grades of F, I, W, or with no reported grade do not apply toward course requirement for the program.

Nancy Staudt picture
Alumni profile

"Here the Client is Truth"

For Nancy Staudt, a Harris PhD was the key to deeper understanding of the law - and a great career move.