What is the J.D. /MBA program?
As business and law become increasingly interconnected, the USC School of Law and the Darla Moore School of Business offer a cross-disciplinary opportunity to pursue a combination J.D./MBA degree. With options to enroll in the Moore School’s One-Year MBA program or International MBA program, J.D. candidates can tailor their business education to their career goals.
J.D. + One-Year MBA
The one-year MBA requires 41 credit hours beyond the 90 credit hours for the J.D. By combining the programs, the total course load may be reduced as many as 9 credit hours. The one-year MBA program includes foundational courses followed by courses in a functional specialization — finance, global supply chain and operations management, marketing or strategic management — that aligns with their career goals. There is also an option to complete a Business Analytics Graduate Certificate, which enhances students’ business and communication acumen with an analytics skillset.
J.D. + International MBA
International MBA candidates are required to take 74 credit hours beyond the 90 required for the J.D. The total course load for the J.D./IMBA may be reduced as many as 12 credit hours by combining the programs. Candidates chose one of two tracks: global or language. Global track students opt for an enhanced global curriculum with in-country immersion in a location where English is widely spoken. Language track students choose from three options for in-country language-intensive studies, including French, German or Spanish.
Both the one-year MBA and the international MBA programs begin annually in July.
With two great networks to connect with for career opportunities and the ability to differentiate yourself in a competitive job market, the J.D./MBA is a logical choice for those wanting to combine a career in law and business.
J.D./MBA degree students complete their first two years of law school before starting MBA coursework in year three. This opportunity allows students to complete the J.D./MBA in three and a half years or the J.D./IMBA in four years. Students can use up to 9 credit hours from the 90 credit hour law program to satisfy Moore School elective requirements, and vice versa. This means that if you enroll in the combined program, your total course load may be reduced by as many as 18 credit hours from what you would be required to take if you earned the two degrees separately.
- Year 1: Law school (August-May) and summer clerkship(s) (May-August).
- Year 2: Law school (August-May) and summer clerkship or internship (May-late June). Students must be ready to start the MBA programs cohort by late June.
- Year 3: Start MBA core at the Moore School (July-December). One-year MBA students — complete MBA core graduation requirements and joint study. Graduate from the Moore School (January-May). International MBA students — complete chosen functional electives and combination study (January-May), complete corporate internship (May-August).
- Year 4: One-year MBA students — complete and graduate law school (August-December). International MBA students — begin language track courses or global track courses, take classes at the Moore School (electives) and continue combination study at the Law School (August-December). In-country language immersion (January-March), complete all joint study graduation requirements (March-May).
*Note: An approved plan of study is required by the School of Law prior to starting MBA coursework.
When to apply: The combination degree application process can be completed prior to enrolling in your first year of law school or during your 2L year. Separate applications are required for each program. The School of Law’s priority deadline for complete applications is March 1, but students can apply through early summer.
How to apply:
- Complete the Moore School’s graduate application and submit all required applicant materials along with your application fee.
- Note: For those entering the USC School of Law in 2021, choose summer term 2023 for your MBA/IMBA entry term.
- Submit a copy of your law school acceptance letter/notification to mba@moore.sc.edu.
- Following a preliminary review, all qualified joint MBA and IMBA applicants are invited to complete a required admissions interview.
- If admitted to the joint program, you will be required to maintain a minimum 3.0 law GPA through the end of your 2L year and submit an approved USC School of Law study plan.
Note on applicant test scores: Based on performance on your LSAT exam, you may be eligible for MBA or IMBA admissions without submitting additional GRE or GMAT scores. Please contact Diondra Smalls Black for additional information.
For additional information on admissions deadlines and requirements, visit the MBA Admissions page.