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JD/MBA Degrees

A JD/MBA is a dual degree , offered jointly by several renowned law and business schools, such as Harvard, Stanford and Columbia. The program generally lasts for 4 years (saving students one year compared to completing both degrees separately) and results in the candidate earning both a Juris Doctor degree and a Master of Business Administration degree.

Some of the schools offering a JD/MBA degree are:

Harvard – Harvard Law School (HLS) and Harvard Business School (HBS) offer a joint degree program in law and business. Completion of the program leads to the degrees of Juris Doctor and Master in Business Administration (JD/MBA) and the program allows students to gain expertise in both the law and general management practices. It prepares students for careers in which an understanding of both legal and business principles is essential.

Prospective students must apply to and be separately admitted to both HLS and the HBS, each of which will independently review and admit applicants. Prospective JD/MBA students may apply to both schools concurrently or they may apply during the first year of study at either HLS or HBS.

HLS has a deadline for applications on February 1st while HBS has a rolling admission process. All Law School applicants are required to submit an LSAT score and all Business School applicants are required to submit a GMAT or a GRE score.

Kellogg – In the short span of 3 years — rather than the 5 it would take to complete both degrees separately — students earn a JD from Northwestern Law and an MBA from Kellogg. You can apply with one integrated application through Kellogg Admissions. You will need an eligible GMAT score to apply. However, you do not need to submit an LSAT score or a separate law school application. Prior study in business or law-related fields is not required for either degree.

Stanford – The joint JD/MBA degree program is designed for individuals considering:

–          A career in law or public service, who wish to acquire the skills of a general manager

–          A career in management, who wish to acquire the skills and competencies of a lawyer

Option 1 for the joint degree program— Complete your first 2 years of law school, then your first year of business school, followed by courses primarily at the business school in your final year.

Option 2 for the joint degree program— Complete your first year of law school, then your first year of business school, followed by a variety of courses at both schools in your remaining 2 years.

If you intend to complete the JD/MBA program in 11 quarters, you may choose to go on leave during the Winter quarter of your 4h year to prepare for the bar exam, and return to classes in the Spring quarter.

Applicants must apply separately, and be admitted, to both the Stanford Law School (SLS) and Stanford GSB. If you are a SLS student, you only need to submit your application to Stanford GSB for the MBA Program. Conversely, if you are an MBA student, you only need to submit your application to SLS for the JD Program.

Columbia – The Columbia 3 Year J.D./M.B.A. Program prepares students for effective and creative leadership at the intersection of business and law. The Columbia 3 Year J.D./M.B.A. Program is designed for highly motivated students who wish to complete their studies and enter the job market a year earlier than traditional joint-degree programs would allow and gives select students the opportunity to earn degrees from both Columbia Law School and Columbia Business School in just 3 years.

Students will spend their 1st  and 3rd years in residence at Columbia Law School and their 2nd year in residence at Columbia Business School, building a solid base of knowledge in both areas while gaining expertise in specific fields of interest through electives.

Applications must be filed separately at each school and each school’s admissions decisions are based solely on that school’s selection criteria and are determined independently. Limited consultation between the schools during the admissions process may however occur.

Georgetown – JD/MBA students must satisfactorily complete course requirements for both the JD and MBA degree programs.  In addition to the JD and MBA degrees, a Joint Program Certificate will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the program.