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LLM and Master of Public Policy

Examine the integral relationship of law to public policy, administration, and management. Earn both degrees in only two years.

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Meeting the Complex Public Challenges of Today Master of Laws (LLM) And Master of Public Policy (MPP) Dual Degree

The School of Public Affairs (SPA) and AU’s Washington College of Law (WCL) jointly offer a LLM/MPP dual degree designed for students who want to examine the integral relationships between law and public policy. The program focuses heavily on finance, statistics, and theory, and provides a broad grounding in public analysis, program evaluation, and successful policy implementation. It equips students with the necessary skills to creatively address the political, financial, organizational, legal, ethical, and constitutional challenges inherent in developing and delivering sound public policies.

The LLM/MPP program is designed so that you can complete both degrees in as few as four semesters, in much less time than if you pursued them separately.

Access Top AU & DC Resources

Students in the LLM/MPP dual degree gain access to the broad variety of academic, advising, and career counseling resources available through the School of Public Affairs and the Washington College of Law. Faculty in both schools are leaders in their fields and are noted for their accessibility to students. WCL's Office of Career and Professional Development provides connections to various law firms, corporations, public interest groups, and governmental agencies; and can advise you on resume preparation and other employment related topics. The SPA also provides you with a wide variety of internship possibilities. Both schools have well-established networks of alumni who are eager to help you with career opportunities.

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Degree Requirements
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To receive the dual degree, you must satisfy all requirements for the LLM in the Washington College of Law and the MPP in our School of Public Affairs.

The dual degree requires 45 credit hours of approved graduate work: 27 credits for the MPP, plus 18 credit hours of law courses. Students may test out of Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis I (PUAD-601) to reduce their SPA course requirement from 27 to 24 credits, which would result in 42 credits total. If the degrees were to be earned separately, you would need to complete 39 hours for the MPP and 24 credit hours for the LLM.

The MPP program offers 11 concentrations that allow you to construct the program around your own area of interest and to focus your studies toward your individual career goals. Students may also design their own concentrations or fulfill course requirements through law school classes. You should consult with your advisor.

A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all coursework is required to remain in good standing and to earn the degree. Full-time status is considered to be nine credit hours per semester. Students are expected to complete the dual degree within approximately two years (four semesters).

More information about curriculum requirements can be found here.

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or spainfo@american.edu.

For the dual degree, students must apply to and be accepted by both the Washington College of Law and the School of Public Affairs.

You may choose to apply to both programs at the same time or to begin one program, then apply to the other program. However, admission to either the LLM or the MPP program does not imply that admission to both programs will be granted.

If you apply to the Washington College of Law first, SPA will accept Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores in lieu of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) aptitude scores. You should submit your application to the Washington College of Law and indicate in the "degree objective" portion that you are applying for the LLM/MPP program. Your application will be considered under the same criteria as non-dual-degree candidates. If you are accepted by the law school, your application will then be forwarded to the School of Public Affairs for review.

If you apply through the School of Public Affairs first, you will still need to satisfy the admission requirements of the law school. For instance, while the School of Public Affairs operates on a rolling admissions basis for our graduate programs, the Washington College of Law has firm application deadlines. You will also need to take the LSAT. And each school requires different supplemental materials.

If you are already enrolled at the law school, you may apply to the dual degree program by requesting in writing that the law school registrar's office forward your application and transcripts to the School of Public Affairs. Students may begin their studies in SPA in their first semester of the LLM program .

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or spainfo@american.edu.

Financial Aid at the School of Public Affairs

The LLM/MPP dual degree is a 45-credit-hour program. To estimate the cost of tuition, please see the current cost per credit hour for graduate students.

The School of Public Affairs offers graduate students both merit-based and need-based financial aid. Merit awards and named scholarships are administered by the SPA Graduate Admissions Office, while need-based awards are administered by the American University Office of Financial Aid. Additional financial support is available for veterans.

All merit awards are based on your academic merit and professional experience, specifically your undergraduate grades and leadership activities as well as career-related accomplishments. Merit awards are valid for one year-they vary in amount, are typically divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters, and are not typically renewable.

Financial Aid at the Washington College of Law

The Washington College of Law financial aid program is designed to assist you in filling the gap between your resources and educational costs. The law school, the university, and a variety of federal and private lenders all offer resources which can be utilized to meet expenses. The Washington College of Law offers a limited number of scholarships established through the generosity of friends and alumni. Selection criteria for these scholarships may vary, but generally awards are based on need and academic achievement. More information on the types of aid available through the Washington College of Law can be found here.

We Know Success Facts

90 percent

of SPA graduates are employed or in graduate school, or both within six months of graduation

WCL Facts

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  • #4 in Trial Advocacy—The Stephen S. Weinstein Trial Advocacy Program offers a variety of courses, special programs, and advocacy competitions. Courses emphasize implementing a winning case theory and narrative, developing core pretrial and trial skills, demonstrating professionalism and persuasive communication techniques, and mastering cutting-edge technology.

  • #8 in International Law—Through an interdisciplinary approach to international law, WCL’s faculty, students, and staff respond to today's global challenges by engaging the world through advocacy, outreach, and scholarship.