J.D. Dual-Degree Programs

The only dual degree offered exclusively at the University of Richmond is the JD/MBA in partnership with the Robins School of Business. This program reflects the interrelationships between law and business management. Graduates will be better able to function as managers because of their familiarity with the legal framework within which business must operate. Alternatively, as attorneys, they can better serve the needs of business clients because of their appreciation of the business milieu.

Applicants for this program are required to meet the admission standards of both the law school and the University of Richmond Robins School of Business. Students in the JD/MBA program complete one year of law school classes before beginning the MBA program. The two-year work experience requirement is waived for JD/MBA students.

Students accepted into this program will be permitted to count 12 credit hours from the JD program towards the requirements of the MBA program and 12 credit hours from the MBA program towards the requirements of the JD program, which amounts to a total savings of 24 credit hours.

Learn more about MBA Admissions.

For information on the MBA program, contact:

Program Manager, MBA Program
University of Richmond Robins School of Business
mba@richmond.edu

The delivery of health care services poses some of the most critical social, economic, and moral issues of our time. Lawyers representing individuals or health care providers confront myriad regulatory systems and issues fairly unique to this area. Health care policy makers and administrators are likewise concerned with the effective operation of entities within these regulatory confines and with the utility of these systems.

Applicants for this program are required to meet the admission standards of both the law school and the VCU College of Health Professions Department of Health Administration.

When this program is successfully completed, the Master of Health Administration degree is awarded by Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions, and the JD is awarded by the University of Richmond. The program integrates these two professional curricula and recognizes the role of law in health administration and prepares professionals to bring an integrated base of competency to the health law and administration arena. Participants are provided with the necessary expertise to represent clients effectively within the health care industry or to function as legal policy makers or administrators who appreciate fully the legal environment of the healthcare field.

The JD/MHA can be completed with a minimum 4 years of coordinated study and a minimum 123 credit hours instead of 146 credit hours. Students accepted into this program will be permitted to count 11 credit hours from the JD program towards the requirements of the MHA program and 12 credit hours in the MHA program towards the requirements of the JD program, for a total savings of 23 credit hours.

Learn more about MHA Admissions.

For more information regarding the MHA Program, contact:

Director of Graduate Programs
VCU College of Health Professions
healthadmin@vcu.edu

The JD/Master of Social Work program recognizes the role of public law in social and economic
life and expects to bring together persons sensitive to both social and personal dysfunctions. This dual degree program prepares professionals to bring an integrated base of competency to the resolution of legal and social problems by bringing together two fields that call for knowledge and skills directed toward resolving human problems. This effort to integrate education in law and social work will draw on the contributions each can make to practice in both fields. When this program is successfully completed, the Master of Social Work with a concentration in administration, planning, and policy practice is awarded by Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work, and the Juris Doctor is awarded by the University of Richmond.

Applicants for this program are required to meet admission standards of both the law school and the VCU School of Social Work.

The JD/MSW can be completed with a minimum 4 years of coordinated study and a minimum 123 credit hours instead of 147 credit hours. Students accepted into this program will be permitted to apply 12 credit hours from the JD program toward the MSW program and 12 credit hours in the MSW program towards the requirements of the JD program, for a total savings of 24 credit hours. 

Learn more about MSW Admissions.

For more information regarding the Master of Social Program, contact:

MSW Program Director
VCU School of Social Work
sswinfo@vcu.edu

The JD/Master of Public Administration program recognizes the role of law in public policy and public affairs.  This dual degree program brings together persons interested in becoming well versed in the values, knowledge, and skills related to the work of government while integrating two fields that require complementary knowledge and skills. This integration draws on the contributions that each discipline can make to a professional knowledge base for practice in government in nonprofit sectors. When this program is successfully completed, the Master of Public Administration is awarded by Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Juris Doctor is awarded by the University of Richmond.

Applicants for this program are required to meet admission standards of both the law school and the VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Department of Public Administration.

The JD/MPA can be completed with a minimum 4 years of coordinated study and a minimum 99 credit hours instead of 123 credit hours. Students accepted into this program will be permitted to apply 12 credit hours from the JD program toward the MPA program and 12 credit hours in the MPA program towards the requirements of the JD program, for a total savings of 24 credit hours. 

Learn more about MPA Admissions.

For information regarding the Master of Public Administration Program, contact:

Program Chair, Master of Public Administration
VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
wsgradvise@vcu.edu

The professions of planning and law address the concerns of social and economic equity through the institutions which help shape the direction of urban change. While lawyers often are concerned with the impact of legislation and judicial decisions on groups and individuals, planners concentrate on social, economic, and political impacts of land use with the aid of legal strategies to guide community growth and development.

Applicants for this program are required to meet the admission standards of both the law school and the VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Department of Urban Studies and Planning.

The Master of Urban and Regional Planning and Juris Doctor dual degree program integrates these two professional curricula to provide the necessary expertise to apply legal and planning analysis to the resolution of urban and regional policy issues and problems. Some areas of cooperation include the development and enforcement of land use and growth management controls, environmental protection strategies, housing and community development, and numerous health and welfare programs. Graduates are equipped for a variety of professional positions including staff or legislative committees, government agencies and commissions, private consulting, neighborhood advocacy, directorships of planning and related agencies, and executive or legal aids to elected officials. When the program is successfully completed, the Master of Urban Studies and Regional Planning degree is awarded by Virginia Commonwealth University and the Juris Doctor is awarded by the University of Richmond.

The JD/MURP can be completed with a minimum 4 years of coordinated study and a minimum 111 credit hours instead of 135 credit hours. Students accepted into this program will be permitted to apply 12 credit hours from the JD program toward the MURP program and 12 credit hours in the MURP program towards the requirements of the JD program, for a total savings of 24 credit hours. 

Learn more about MURP Admissions.

For information on admission to the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, contact:

Program Chair, Department of Urban Studies and Planning
VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
wsgradvise@vcu.edu