Degree Requirements

Business and industry must take public and private law into account in all decisions. The College of Law and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management have responded by creating joint degree programs in business administration and law. Students may obtain a J.D. and M.B.A. in less time than when both programs are pursued separately. These programs are particularly appropriate for students with career objectives in corporate law, tax law, intellectual property, or labor law. J.D./M.B.A. students can complete program requirements in 4 academic years (on-campus) or 4.3 years (distance) Because a joint degree program involves reciprocal application of electives, students are not awarded either degree until the requirements for both degrees are completed.

The College of Law is the primary school for students enrolled in a joint degree program at Syracuse University. Students must complete their first year of law school and earn a minimum cumulative GPA as specified in the College of Law Academic Handbook before being approved to matriculate into the joint degree program. For a joint degree in Business Administration, you will earn 72 law credits plus 42 approved M.B.A. credits for a total of 114 credits. When pursued separately, 141 total credits are required. Students must apply to both JD and MBA programs separately, and admission to the College of Law does not guarantee admission to the Whitman School of Management.

Students with general questions and inquiries concerning procedures regarding the MD/MBA joint degree should contact the College of Law Registrar’s Office, Dineen Hall, lawstudentrecords@syr.edu.