Oct 31, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Joint Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration, J.D./M.B.A.


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JD/MBA requirements


In conjunction with the Chapman University Fowler School of Law, the Argyros School of Business and Economics offers a joint program leading to both the Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees. The program requires four years of full-time study and acceptance to both the Chapman University Fowler School of Law and the Argyros School of Business and Economics. Students currently enrolled in the School of Law [with a law school GPA of 2.6 or higher] may apply during either the 1L or 2L year. The JD/MBA program gives students the opportunity to obtain two highly marketable professional degrees.

Advantages of earning your JD/MBA at Chapman over earning the degrees separately:

  1. Complete both degrees one year sooner than if pursued independently.
  2. Work closely with faculty from both the Argyros School and the School of Law.
  3. Utilize both the Argyros School Career Services and the Career Services and Professional Development Center in the School of Law.
  4. Benefit from the strong relationships both schools have with businesses and organizations in Orange County.

The School of Law offers an 88-credit, six semester full-time JD program while the Argyros School of Business and Economics offers an MBA program that consists of 50 credits and is typically completed by full-time students in four semesters. The two programs, combined into the joint degree, require the completion of only 118 credits, a savings of 20 credits, resulting from the cross-application of completed coursework in the two schools.

Students pursuing the Joint Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration must satisfy the minimum requirements for each degree program including course requirements, GPA, residency and University Academic Policies and Procedures  listed in the graduate catalog. In addition these specific degree standards apply:

  • Minimum grade “C+” or above required in all coursework.
  • Maintain 3.000 GPA in the degree.

Sample curriculum for JD/MBA


first year - fall (15 credits)


one credit of residency

first year - spring (14 credits)


one credit of residency

third year - fall (20 credits)


one credit of residency

third year - spring (11 credits)


fourth year (31 credits)


two credits of residency

  • MBA elective 3 credits
  • Law electives 28 credits

total credits 118


*Registration for BUS 612  requires a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.000. The course must be passed with a grade of “B-” or higher.

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