Combined/Dual Degree Programs
The Leavey School of Business, in partnership with the School of Law, offers two combined degree programs; the J.D./MBA Program and the J.D./MSIS Program.
The Combined Degree Programs are designed to permit students interested in obtaining both the J.D. degree and the MBA or MSIS degree to complete both degrees in less time than if earned independently. This can be accomplished because certain course work taken at the School of Law can be transferred for credit toward the MBA or MSIS degree, and, conversely, certain course work taken at the Leavey School of Business can be transferred toward the J.D. degree.
The J.D./MBA dual degree prepares students to approach problems from the perspectives of both a business person and a lawyer. Joint degree lawyers will better understand the business problems that give rise to legal problems, such as issues in marketing, personnel policies, or financing. They can do more than simply determine whether a proposed solution is "legal"; joint degree lawyers can design and formulate an effective and imaginative solution that meets legal requirements and permits clients to best achieve their business objectives.
The J.D./MSIS degree allows students to develop a deep technological understanding of the legal issues in the Information Technology industry and to learn how to use technology effectively in a law practice. The joint degree may be especially useful for potential:
In-house lawyers for technology companies
Lawyers representing computer software and hardware companies in technology license agreements or in litigation
Information security lawyers
Litigators who plan to develop expertise in complex e-discovery
Admission
To participate in a Combined Degree Program, students must first be admitted to the School of Law. During the first year of the J.D. Program students apply to the MBA or MSIS Program, following the regular admissions procedures, including taking the GMAT or GRE standardized test. Enrollment in the J.D./MBA Program is limited to full-time students with 45 units or less in the law school, including current enrollment. Students must be in good standing in the Law School to be considered for admission into the MBA or MSIS programs. To participate in a Combined Degree Program, students must first be admitted to the School of Law. During the first year of the J.D. Program students apply to the MBA or MSIS Program, following the regular admissions procedures, including taking the GMAT or GRE standardized test. Enrollment in the J.D./MBA Program is limited to full-time students with 45 units or less in the law school, including current enrollment. Students must be in good standing in the Law School to be considered for admission into the MBA or MSIS programs.
General Requirements for the J.D./MBA Program
While enrolled in the program, students must:
Satisfy the academic requirements of each school
Complete the same number of quarter units of credit (business) and semester units of credit (law) as other recipients of the respective degrees, including all courses required by each school
Plan a specific, individualized academic program with, and approved by, both the School of Law J.D./MBA Program advisor and the Leavey School of Business J.D./MBA Program advisor
Business School units must have a grade of C or better and will transfer to the School of Law transcript as CR/NC grades
Combined Curriculum
Law School
General Requirements
General JD requirements are listed in the School of Law Bulletin. Please consult with the School of Law for more information.
Specific J.D./MBA Requirements
A student may transfer 12 quarter units from the business school to the law school. Twelve quarter units translate to 8 semester units. Consequently, a J.D./MBA student must take 78 units at the law school. However, the business school units will not transfer over to the law school until the student is within two business school classes of graduating from the business school. MBA units must have a grade of C or better and will transfer to the law transcript as Credit/No Credit grades. The first year is spent exclusively in the School of Law. During the second year, students are required to take primarily business classes. Thereafter, work is taken concurrently in the business school and the law school.
Students must be within 2 courses of earning the MBA when finishing the law program. Otherwise, they must complete 8 additional units of JD coursework.
Business School
Note: The below information applies to students starting the MBA program in Fall 2013 and later or those continuing students opting to change to the newly enhanced curriculum.
General Requirements
The SCU MBA curriculum consists of 70 quarter units of required courses, concentration elective courses, and free elective courses.
Specific J.D./MBA Requirements
A student may transfer eight semester units from the law school to the business school transfer eight semester units from the law school to the business school (Approved courses are listed below). Eight semester units translate to 12 quarter units. Thus, a J.D./MSIS student will take 39 units from the MSIS curriculum specified as below:
In no event will any such individualized academic program include more than 12 quarter units at the business school for which credit also is obtained at the law school, or more than 8 semester units at the law school for which credit also is obtained at the business school.
Under a typical schedule, students complete the program and receive both degrees in three and one-half or four years.
Note: Students who withdraw from the J.D. Program will not be granted transfer credit toward the MBA degree for courses taken in the School of Law
General Requirements for the J.D./MSIS Program
While enrolled in the program, students must:
Satisfy the academic requirements of each school
Complete the same number of quarter units of credit (business) and semester units of credit (law) as other recipients of the respective degrees, including all courses required by each school
Plan a specific, individualized academic program with, and approved by, both the School of Law J.D./MSIS Program advisor and the Leavey School of Business J.D./MSIS Program advisor
Combined Curriculum
Law School
General JD requirements are listed in the School of Law Bulletin. Please consult with the School of Law for more information.
Specific J.D./MSIS Requirements
A student may transfer 12 quarter units from the business school to the law school. Twelve quarter units translate to 8 semester units. Thus, a J.D./MSIS student must take 78 units at the law school. However, the business school units will not transfer over to the law school until the student is within two business school classes of graduating from the business school. MSIS units must have a grade of C or better and will transfer to the law transcript as Credit/No Credit grades.
The first year is spent exclusively in the School of Law. During the second year, students are required to take mostly MSIS classes. Thereafter, work is taken concurrently in the business school and the law school.
Business School
General Requirements
The SCU MSIS curriculum consists of a total of 48 units) comprising non-waivable required courses and electives.
Specific J.D./MSIS Requirements
A student may transfer eight semester units from the law school to the business school transfer eight semester units from the law school to the business school (Approved courses are listed below). Eight semester units translate to 12 quarter units. Thus, a J.D./MSIS student will take 36 units from the MSIS curriculum specified as below:
A. Preprogram Proficiency (Applicants must have successfully completed one course in each of the following areas)
- Programming Language
B. Core Business Knowledge (2 courses)
ACTG 2608 - Financial Accounting (2 units)
MSIS 2604 - Information Systems Strategy & Management (4 units)
C. Core Information Systems (6 courses)
MSIS 2601 - Object-Oriented Software Design (4 units)
MSIS 2602 - Information Systems Analysis & Design - Systems Modeling (4 units)
MSIS 2603 - Database Management Systems - Fundamentals of SQL (2 units)
MSIS 2613 - Database Management Systems - Design, Development and Administration (2 units)
MSIS 2607 - Data Analytics - Python (4 units)
MSIS 2606 - Software Project Management (4 units)
D. Specialization (10 units)
- See listing of electives in MS in Information Systems chapter
E. Capstone (1 course)
- Capstone or other Faculty Director approved course.
F. Approved Law School Courses (8 semester units--12 quarter units)
Law 228 - Technology Licensing (2 units)
Law 388 - Intellectual Property (3 units)
Law 429 - Mass Communication: Television, Cable, Satellite Video and Convergence (3 units)
Law 520 - Mass Communication: Telephone, Broadband Networks and Convergence (3 units)
Law 533 - Broadband Regulatory Clinic (3 units)
Law 539 - E-Discovery (1 unit)
Law 793 - Cyberspace Law (3 units)
One or more of Patents/Copyrights/Trademarks/Trade Secrets courses
Other Law School courses may also be selected with the approval of the Law School and Business School J.D./MSIS program advisors.
In no event will any such individualized academic program include more than 12 quarter units at the business school for which credit is also obtained at the law school, or more than 8 semester units at the law school for which credit is also obtained at the business school.
Under a typical schedule, students complete the program and receive both degrees in three and one-half or four years.
Note: Students who withdraw from the J.D. Program will not be granted transfer credit toward the MSIS degree for courses taken in the School of Law.
Dual Degree Pathways
Students who have completed a graduate business degree program at SCU may transfer up to 12-quarter units towards another SCU graduate business degree, provided they are equivalent corresponding courses. The following stipulations need to be met:
Core courses transfer first and then any eligible elective courses
Courses must be completed in the past five years
Courses completed with a grade of B or better
Subject to approval from the Faculty Director and Graduate Business Programs Office