JD/MBA
"Santa Clara’s JD-MBA program offers students the opportunity to collaborate with professors and colleagues who have experience as both attorneys and businesspeople. While business and law are often considered as distinct disciplines, the coursework from one seamlessly complements the other. While in the JD/MBA program, I have interned at business corporations and clerked at law firms. The program’s coursework helped me identify the legal pitfalls when negotiating a business deal, as well the business consequences when drafting a legal contract. It is critical to have different options in today’s competitive job market, and this dual degree has equipped me with the means to dictate my future.”
—Derek Chien
Class of 2010
Santa Clara University School of Law's JD/MBA Combined Degree Program offers students the opportunity to earn both degrees in a full time program lasting three and one half to four years. This means a savings in both time and tuition fees.
The dual degree prepares students to approach problems from the perspectives of both a business person and a lawyer. In dealing with business clients, joint degree lawyers will better understand the business problem giving rise to the legal problem be it marketing, personnel policies, or financing. They can do more than simply determine whether a proposed solution is "legal"; joint degree lawyers design and formulate an effective and imaginative solution that will meet all legal requirements and in addition permit business clients to best achieve their business objectives.
Admissions Process
Candidates for the combined program must make separate application to both the School of Law and the MBA Program. It is unnecessary to apply to both programs simultaneously. Because the first year of the program is entirely in the law school, candidates typically apply to the MBA Program after they have completed the first semester of law school.
JD Program
The School of Law seeks applicants with strong academic backgrounds who have earned a baccalaureate degree in any discipline. Factors considered in the admission decision include the following: academic history, including trends in undergraduate grades, selection of academic courses, graduate study, results of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), work experience, life experience, and community and school service. Letters of recommendation are not required but are usually helpful. Approximately 285 students enroll each year after being selected from more than 2,800 applicants. The School of Law uses a rolling admission process with the first decisions being made in early January preceding the August of desired enrollment. Applications should be filed before February.
Applicants to the School of Law must complete the following steps:
- Return the application for admissions to the Admissions Office with the required application fee.
- Take the Law School Admission Test. The test is offered four times a year and must be taken by February in the desired year of enrollment. Tests scores are generally considered current for four years. If the test is taken more than once, the highest score will be considered.
- Register for the Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) and have official transcripts sent to Law Services from every North American college or university attended.
- Upon acceptance, make the tuition deposits required to hold a seat in the entering class.
MBA Program
The MBA Program, accredited by AACSB (American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business), seeks students who show aptitude, interest, and ability for leadership.
Students are admitted in any of three quarters fall, winter, and spring. Application requirements are:
- Completed application with the required application fee.
- Essay question responses (two required, one optional).
- Two confidential letters of recommendation (letters used for Law School Admission are not admissible).
- Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
- Transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (if not on file at the law school).
Applications will not be considered until all materials are received. Admission will only be granted to students who are in good standing in the law school and are full-time students.
Course of Study
Students enrolled in the combined degree program plan a specific course of study with the program advisors. No undergraduate business course work is required. Students who have taken business courses may have some courses waived.
Students will be permitted to count certain courses for credit toward both degrees. A maximum of 12 quarter units taken in the School of Business and eight semester units taken in the School of Law may be counted toward both degrees. In addition, a concentration may be completed through the scheduling of electives. Please refer to the MBA viewbook for more detailed information.
Employment Outlook
Recent graduates report that their joint degrees are beneficial in a wide variety of career areas including private business, law practice, business management, entrepreneurship, and government administration. The School of Law Career Services Office assists students with their career planning through individual counseling, workshops on topics such as resume writing, interviewing and job search strategies. Many law firms, government agencies, and corporations participate in the on-campus interviewing program in the fall, and hundreds of other employers from around the country request law students' resumes.
JD/MBA degree holders who seek employment outside the legal profession also benefit from the resources and facilities of the University Career Services.
For More Information Contact:
Law School Admissions Office
Santa Clara University School of Law
Santa Clara, CA 95053
408-554-4800
lawadmissions@scu.edu
MBA Program
Leavey School of Business
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA 95053
408-554-4500
mbaadmissions@scu.edu