JD/MPA Paired Degree

Students can now work faster toward their leadership role in public service with our paired-degree program. In collaboration with the Oklahoma City School of Law, Juris Doctor and Master of Public administration students may complete both degrees in less time.

J.D./MPA Applicants

The University of Central Oklahoma offers the simultaneous award of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. The degrees in public administration and law are designed to provide transformative learning experiences. These programs will prepare students to serve as ethical leaders who will improve communities in the Oklahoma City metro area and the world. The paired-degree program allows candidates to earn the MPA and J.D. degrees in less time than would be required if the degrees were earned outside of the paired-degree program.

J.D./MPA Application Process

MPA students may apply to the OCU School of Law at any time prior to completing their MPA coursework, with these two stipulations:

1. The student first needs to meet OCU Law School’s admission requirements before entering the J.D./MPA paired degree program.
2.  The student needs to complete 29 credit hours in the OCU School of Law program before any class taken in the J.D. program could be transferred to the MPA.

MPA students who have been admitted to both degree programs should notify the UCO Jackson College of Graduate Studies and the UCO MPA program. Also, students who have been admitted to both degree programs should notify the OCU School of Law’s registrar. Students may do this by checking the appropriate box on their work statements during any enrollment period.

J.D./M.P.A. Transferred Credits

Paired-degree candidates who complete UCO’s MPA degree need to complete only 84 credit hours at the OCU School of Law, including the six credit hours transferred to UCO, to earn the J.D. degree. Paired degree law students may transfer six credit hours of their J.D. coursework to UCO for credit toward the MPA degree’s required 36 credit hours. Only credit hours from the UCO list of accepted J.D. courses will transfer for this purpose. Thus, participants may earn both degrees with the completion of 114 credit hours, rather than the usual 126 credit hours.

J.D. Graduation Requirements

OCU School of Law requires the following for J.D./MPA paired degree students to graduate:

• 84 credit hours of OCU J.D. courses (including administrative law, legislation and the government practice externship program)
• Six credit hours transferred from UCO MPA
• UCO MPA degree conferral
• Additional OCU School of Law graduation requirements

For more information about OCU School of Law, contact law@okcu.edu.