What is JD MBA dual degree?

Asked by: Charlie Cummings  |  Last update: October 29, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (72 votes)

A JD–MBA is a dual degree program in which students jointly earn Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration degrees.

What is the JD-MBA dual degree program?

The Juris Doctor/Business Administration (JD/MBA) dual degree program gives senior business leaders the tools they need to lead an enterprise while being keeping fully abreast of the legal issues affecting the business world.

Is a joint JD-MBA worth it?

A major benefit of these joint programs is they allow students to finish both business and law degrees concurrently within the same university system. Depending on your career path, earning a joint degree in law and business can be worth the investment of both time and tuition.

Are JD dual degrees worth it?

Dual degree programs allow students to integrate legal expertise with knowledge from another discipline, making them stand out in a range of industries. While these programs may extend your time in academia compared to a standalone J.D., they often lead to greater career opportunities.

Is a JD as hard as a PhD?

No, a JD is not equivalent to a PhD. PhDs require research, independent study, and thesis components that JDs do not.

JD-MBAs | LSAT Demon Daily, Ep. 565

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What are the disadvantages of a dual degree?

Cons
  • Earning dual degrees requires not only an additional investment of money and time but also two separate admission processes.
  • While they may lead to more career prospects, dual degrees do not guarantee a higher starting salary.

Can you be a lawyer with a JD-MBA?

Flexibility is a significant asset for JD/MBA candidates: individuals can start in law and make use of their dedicated legal knowledge to improve decision making, provide legal counsel in a business or corporate setting, or, as a practicing lawyer, work directly with and offer guidance to business clients through a ...

How hard is a JD-MBA program?

Classes are highly intensive, and you will need to demonstrate extraordinary time management and organizational skills in order to stay on top of things, especially when you are taking both business classes and law classes in the same semester.

What careers come out if JD-MBA?

Here are 15 jobs you can pursue with a dual J.D./MBA degree that provide a high salary and opportunities to use both legal and business knowledge:
  • Auditor. ...
  • Financial analyst. ...
  • Business development manager. ...
  • Business intelligence analyst. ...
  • Attorney. ...
  • Controller. ...
  • Director of finance. ...
  • Risk manager.

Do I need LSAT for JD-MBA?

This means you will need to prep not only for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), but also the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the standardized test required by most law schools.

What is the average age for JD-MBA?

What are the age demographics like in JD/MBA programs? Law school applicants tend to be ~22, whereas MBA applicants tend to be ~27.

How much does Harvard JD-MBA cost?

At Harvard's today, JD/MBA scholars pay $76,410 for their first year at business school and $77,100 for their first year in law school. This means a total tuition cost of $153,510 for the first half of the program. In years 3 and 4 of the JD/MBA degree path, students study simultaneously in both schools.

How hard is law school?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

How long does a JD-MBA take?

There are three common lengths of time offered for JD–MBA programs: three-year, three-and-a-half-year, or four-year. All schools listed below with three- or three-and-a-half-year programs also offer a four-year option for the program.

Is a JD-MBA valuable?

Yes, a JD-MBA has many benefits. Not only do you receive two separate degrees, but it also broadens your career options, builds a diverse professional network, and helps you gain transferable skills and experiences that you might not receive in only one program.

Is a JD like a master's degree?

It requires at least three academic years of full-time study. While the JD is a doctoral degree in the US, lawyers usually use the suffix "Esq." as opposed to the prefix "Dr.", and that only in a professional context, when needed to alert others that they are a biased party – acting as an agent for their client.

How long does an MBA take?

A standard MBA program generally takes at least two years to complete with full-time enrollment, and closer to three years on a part-time schedule. On-campus vs. online MBA programs. Taking courses on a college campus may work better for students who need more structure and accountability.

Why would a lawyer get an MBA?

With an MBA, lawyers or attorneys can continue to develop business strategic, financial, accounting, and marketing know-how, which is essential for success in the legal field. An MBA for lawyers will broaden their vision to other career options other than practicing law.

Is JD-MBA harder to get into?

Program instructors want to see their students succeed, and institutions are set up to make this combined degree attainable. However, students must be dedicated to their studies to complete a JD-MBA program. Along with the difficult workload, these programs are also hard to get into and highly competitive.

Does Harvard have JD-MBA?

The JD/MBA is a four-year program that offers the core curricula of the Harvard Business School (HBS) MBA and Harvard Law School (HLS) JD with a wide range of elective options at both schools.

Do employers like dual degrees?

Benefits of a dual degree

Grant you more qualifications: Having two distinct degrees in different subjects can allow employers to perceive you as more qualified for positions that relate to those degrees.

What GPA do you need for a dual degree?

Must have earned at least 75 credits and a 3.0 GPA in order to apply. 144-160 credits required (varies depending on program).

Which dual degree is best?

Graduate and Professional Dual Degrees
  • MBA in public policy/MPP.
  • MBA/MS in finance.
  • MBA/MA in international relations.
  • MBA/MS in information technology.
  • MSN/MPH.
  • MD in public health/MPH.
  • MD/MBA.