MBA & Juris Doctor
Be an Ethical and Legal Leader
Pursuing a degree in law and an MBA might seem overwhelming, but the combination will open doors. Their specialized expertise makes them a key player in organizations big and small. It's a challenge, to be sure, but you'll be surprised at the paths that are open to you when you've earned a JD/MBA.
The JD-MBA Dual Degree Program was developed for candidates interested in combining their MBA studies with a JD from the University of Minnesota Law School. The program format is full-time and takes four years to complete. Both programs are located in Minneapolis on the West Bank Campus. Please be aware that compromises are necessary to complete this dual degree program, especially upon admission into the MBA portion of the dual degree. Students will need to delay opportunities such as law journals, moot court, and some law on-campus interview options, which may conflict with required courses or other required events for the MBA program.
Under this study plan, students begin the MBA program in the fall semester of year two.
More Information About JD-MBA
Program Structure
Fall Semester
Register in Law. Apply for MBA no later than April 1.
Total Credits: 16
Spring Semester
Register in Law.
Total Credits: 16
Spring Session
Register in Law.
- Law Electives or Summer Job Opportunities
- Law Internship (must be completed by August 15)
Total Credits Year One: 32
Fall Semester
Register in MBA. Note: Orientation (mandatory) is the last 2 weeks of August.
| Course Number | Title | Required or Elective | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA 6141 | Managerial Economics | Required | 2 |
| MBA 6031 | Financial Accounting | Required | 3 |
| MBA 6121 | Data Analysis & Statistics | Required | 3 |
| MBA 6211 | Marketing Management | Required | 3 |
| MBA 6221 | Supply Chain & Operations | Required | 3 |
| MBA 6231 | Financial Management | Required | 3 |
| MBA 6301 | Strategic Management | Required | 3 |
Total Credits: 20 (tuition band 12-20)
Spring Semester
Register in MBA.
| Course Number | Title | Required or Elective | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA 6111 | Organizational Behavior | Required | 2 |
| MBA 6241 | Competing in Data Driven Age | Required | 2 |
| Various | Enterprise | Required | 4 |
| Various | Electives/Other Requirements (timing at student's choosing): - MBA Electives - MBA Global Experience ‡ - MBA 6315 – Business Ethics, 2 cr • - MGMT 6465 – Leadership Development, 2 cr • | Elective | Credits Vary |
‡ The international requirement can be fulfilled by participating in specified travel programs or glocal courses.
• MBA 6315 and MGMT 6465 may be completed during any semester of the MBA other than fall year 2, but we recommend taking at least one with the FTMBA cohort in fall year 3 to maintain connections with peers if aligns with fall Law schedule.
Note: LAW students must get DOS approval to petition to participate on law journals.
Total Credits: 16 recommended (tuition band 12-20)
Summer Session
MBA Internship (optional)
Participate in LAW OCI interview process
Total Credits Year Two: 36
Choose one registration track:
Option 1 - January Global Program
Fall Semester
Register in MBA. (14 MBA credit)
| Course Number | Title | Required or Elective | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | MBA Enterprise | Required | 4 |
| Various | Electives/Other Requirements (timing at student's choosing): - MBA Electives - MBA Global Experience ‡ - MBA 6315 – Business Ethics, 2 cr • - MGMT 6465 – Leadership Development, 2 cr • - LAW Electives - LAW - Satisfy second year writing requirement (Fall & Spring) - Participate in LAW OCI interview process | Elective | Credits Vary |
Total Credits: 12-18 (12 MBA minimum; 14-16 recommended)
Spring Semester
Register in Law (2 MBA credits)
| Course Number | Title | Required or Elective | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | - LAW - Satisfy second year writing requirement (Fall & Spring) - LAW students must take Prof. Responsibility by the end of year three | Required | Credits Vary |
| MBA 6315 | Business Ethics • | if not already completed | 2 |
| MGMT 6465 | Leadership Development • | if not already completed | 2 |
‡ The international requirement can be fulfilled by participating in specified travel programs or glocal courses.
• MBA 6315 and MGMT 6465 may be completed during any semester of the MBA other than fall year 2, but we recommend taking at least one with the FTMBA cohort in fall year 3 to maintain connections with peers if aligns with fall Law schedule.
Total Credits: 2 MBA + law writing requirement & prof responsibility
Summer Session
Register in LAW.
- LAW Clerkship
- Law Electives or Summer Job Opportunities
Optional: Minnesota Carlson Commencement - May (if all MBA degree requirements are met)
Total Credits Year Three: 23-36
Option 2 - May Global Program
Fall Semester
Register primarily in LAW; register 4 MBA
| Course Number | Title | Required or Elective | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | MBA Enterprise | Required | 4 |
| Various | - LAW Electives - LAW - Satisfy second year writing requirement (Fall & Spring) - Participate in LAW OCI interview process | Elective | Credits Vary |
Total Credits: 4 (MBA) + Law Courses (12-?)
Spring Semester
Register in MBA (12 MBA credits)
| Course Number | Title | Required or Elective | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | MBA Electives | Elective | Credits Vary |
| Various | MBA Global Experience ‡ | Required | Credits Vary |
| MBA 6315 | Business Ethics • | if not already completed | 2 |
| MGMT 6465 | Leadership Development • | if not already completed | 2 |
| Various | - LAW - Satisfy second year writing requirement (Fall & Spring) - LAW students must take Prof. Responsibility by the end of year three | Required | Credits Vary |
‡ The international requirement can be fulfilled by participating in specified travel programs or glocal courses.
• MBA 6315 and MGMT 6465 may be completed during any semester of the MBA other than fall year 2, but we recommend taking at least one with the FTMBA cohort in fall year 3 to maintain connections with peers if aligns with fall Law schedule.
Total Credits: 12 MBA + law writing requirement & prof responsibility
Summer Session
Register in LAW.
- LAW Clerkship
- Law Electives or Summer Job Opportunities
Optional: Minnesota Carlson Commencement - May (if all MBA degree requirements are met)
Total Credits Year Three: 23-36
Notes: Students can register in LAW and MBA concurrently in the same semester. To reduce the total tuition costs students should compare the per credit cost against the tuition band cost.
Professional Responsibility can be taken any term after 1L. Legislation & Regulation course ("Law Reg") required for JD students graduating in or after May 2019.
Fall Semester
Register in LAW.
- LAW Electives
- Upper Division Writing Requirement, if not already complete
Total Credits: 12-16
Spring Semester
Register in LAW.
- LAW Electives
- Upper Division Writing Requirement, if not already complete
Total Credits: 12-14
Summer Session
Minnesota Carlson Commencement: May
Law School Commencement: May
Total Credits Year Four: 24-30
Credit Distribution & Notes:
- In addition to the 8.0 credits of graduate-level transfer work allowed for MBA students, JD/MBA students may take an additional 4.0 credits of transfer work to total 12 credits.
- In addition to the 6.0 credits of graduate-level transfer work allowed for LAW students, JD/MBA students may take an additional 6.0 credits of transfer work to total 12 credits.
- 12 JD credits will transfer to the MBA degree. Commonly, LAW 6001 (4 cr), LAW 6004 (4 cr), LAW 6005 (4 cr).
- 12 preapproved MBA credits will transfer to the LAW degree.* -- No 'substantially law-related' requirement for the 12 MBA credits transferring to LAW.
- * Courses approved in the past include Supply Chain & Operations, Financial Accounting, Negotiation Strategies, and Marketing Communications.
- These are examples of courses that are "substantially law related," and others may qualify.
- Graduating JD students who have not yet had their MBA degree conferred and will not be cleared concurrently with their JD are ineligible to use the extra 6 transfer credits until the MBA has been conferred.
- By the end of year four, each student should have completed 64 MBA credits and 88 LAW credits; both totals include 12 credits of transfer work.
Full-Time & Part-Time MBA Programs
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-625-5555
Law School
Emily Buchholz
Executive Director, Corporate Institute
University of Minnesota Law School
Law School Dual Degree Information