Juris Doctor / Master of Professional Accounting

Joint Degree Program Requirements

from Seattle University's Bulletin of Information 2007-2008

Joint Degree Crossover Courses

The Seattle University Juris Doctor / Master of Professional Accounting joint degree program is designed to allow students to complete both degrees in less time than if the two degrees were obtained independently outside the program. Certain courses taken at the School of Law count toward the MPAC degree and certain courses taken in the Albers School of Business and Economics count toward the JD degree. This joint degree program is available to both full- and part-time students.

 MPAC degree:

Full-time students ordinarily complete the Master of Professional Accounting degree in a minimum of two years. MPAC students must demonstrate computer and math proficiency and complete nine business and six accounting fundamental business classes, or they may seek to have some or all of those courses waived. In addition to the prerequisites, students in the Master of Professional Accounting program must complete 46 credits of course work in designated areas, including eleven required courses and four electives. See specific MPAC course requirements in the Graduate Bulletin of Information.

JD degree

Full-time law students ordinarily complete the JD degree in three years; part-time students may take four years or longer. Students must complete a total of 90 semester credits of course work. In the full-time program, students complete 30 credits of required course work in their first year. In their second and third years, law students must complete 15 credits of required course work and 45 elective credits. For specific JD course requirements see the School of Law Bulletin of Information.

JD / MPAC Joint Degree Program:

Full-time students can complete the JD / MPAC joint degree program in a minimum of four years, which is one year less than would be required to complete the two degrees independently. Time to completion will be longer if the student is part-time and/or if the student must complete the business prerequisites for the MPAC degree. Students in the JD / MPAC program must complete the equivalent of 90 semester credits for the JD degree and the equivalent of 46 quarter credits plus the prerequisites (unless waived) for the MPAC degree. Students can satisfy the requirements for each degree by using a specified number of crossover credits chosen from a list of approved courses in each school. Of the 90 semester credits required for the JD degree, 12 semester credits can be satisfied by 18 quarter credits chosen from a list of specified graduate business degree courses. Of the 46 quarter credits required for the MPAC degree, 9 quarter credits can be satisfied by 6 semester credits chosen from a list of specified JD degree courses. Students must, however, complete the MPAC prerequisites (unless waived) and all of the required courses for each degree.