JD/MBA

Current Western New England University JD candidates can apply for admission for the JD/MBA Dual Degree Program upon completing at least one semester of full-time study or three semesters of part-time study in the JD program. Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Applicants will be evaluated based on their performance to date in the JD program, as well as their undergraduate academic record. The MBA has three prerequisites that are required for admission: accounting, finance, and statistics. Applicants who have not completed these courses previously may be able to begin the program on a provisional basis while fulfilling any prerequisite requirements. The LSAT will be considered in lieu of the GMAT.

Master's Application Requirements

Dual degree candidates will be billed in four installments once they register for their first graduate business course. A charge will be posted for a total of four semesters. The installments will be based on current graduate tuition rates and be adjusted annually. As a result of the cross-credits shared by both degree programs, dual degree candidates will save over 50% in tuition. Candidates completing graduate business courses after the four installments are paid will not be charged for any remaining graduate business courses.

Graduate Tuition

The JD/MBA program offers an exceptional opportunity for students considering a law degree. In a coordinated structure, you can earn two degrees at once. Below is one possible configuration for the course of study in the program. Under the scenario provided below*, you can complete both the JD and MBA degrees in three years, just in time for School of Law graduation. In addition to this schedule, the dual degree program offers a flexible schedule that allows the completion of both degrees in less time than it would take to earn each separately.

* MBA course schedule is based on the tentative projected course offerings.

First Year – Law School (31 credits)
Spring Semester: Complete the following online, self-study modules if needed: Statistics and Financial Analysis (Accounting and Finance) through responsive.net. Contact Graduate Admissions for additional details.

Summer Semester (May–August):
BUS-610 Business and Its Environment, 3 cr.
AC-630 Accounting for Decision Makers, 3 cr.

Second Year – Law School (Approximately 12 JD credits Fall, and 12 JD credits Spring)
Fall Semester:
MAN-605 Leadership, Problem Solving, and Decision Making, 3 cr.
BAIM-610 Information Technology Management and Applications, 3 cr.

Spring Semester:
BAIM 620 Decision Modeling for Analytics, 3 cr.

Summer Term (May–August):
FIN 630 Managerial Finance, 3 cr.

Third Year – Law School (Approximately 12 JD credits Fall, and 12 JD credits Spring)
Fall Semester:
MAN-610 Organizational Behavior and Theory, 3 cr.
MK-640 Marketing Management, 3 cr.

Spring Semester:
BUS-680 Strategic Management, 3 cr.

To satisfy the JD program's required 88 credits, a dual degree student must plan to earn 79 credits in the JD program and an additional 9 credits in the MBA program that will transfer to the JD program. To satisfy the MBA requirements, a student should plan to earn 27 credits in the MBA program and an additional 9 credits in the JD program that will transfer to the MBA program. The combined number of credits that a student will earn in both degrees is 106 (79 + 27).

Courses that satisfy the Law electives for the MBA can be found listed under the Concentration in Transactional Law Practice. Contact the College of Business and the Law School Dean's Offices for additional course options. Courses that satisfy the MBA electives for the JD include all core MBA courses.

Why should I get both degrees?
As a lawyer, you will undoubtedly come into frequent contact with businesses and employees. The MBA degree helps you to learn and understand the language of business. It provides you with a greater understanding of how business operates and enhances your credibility with business organizations. In essence, the dual degree will provide insights that will help you become a better lawyer and help your aspirations to succeed and be promoted within businesses and organizations.

Do I have to declare dual degree status at the beginning of my law studies?
No, you do not. Although the sample schedule demonstrates how by starting the JD/MBA program early you could earn both degrees in three years, other possible schedules provide for later entry points. If you are thinking of getting both degrees, it is to your benefit to talk with both the School of Law and College of Business about your options.

Why don’t I just wait and get my MBA later?
Completing the JD/MBA Dual Degree Program at Western New England saves you time and money. By following the structured plan of study, you will earn both of your degrees at the same time. The program design allows for 18 credits of business and law coursework to count towards requirements in both programs (9 in the JD and 9 in the MBA). This reduces the cost of the MBA by 50 percent.

Can I complete my MBA first?
According to American Bar Association guidelines, no MBA courses taken prior to acceptance into an accredited law program can be used towards elective coursework in the JD program. All MBA courses approved as JD electives must be taken while in the JD program.

Are the MBA courses and JD courses on the same schedule?
Yes, both the JD courses and MBA courses are offered in a traditional, 15-week Fall and Spring semester format. The College of Business will also offer graduate courses during the 12-week Summer semester. It is important to note that your total credit load including both JD and MBA coursework should not exceed the 16-credit maximum for your JD program. Any deviation will require approval from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the School of Law.

How can I fulfill the prerequisite requirements for the MBA program?
One way that you can complete the prerequisites is by completing online, self-study modules through a partner company, Responsive Learning Technologies (responsive.net). The other way you can complete the prerequisites is by earning a B or better in an approved undergraduate course at Western New England University or another institution.

Great! When can I start taking courses?
Toward the end of your first year, you may begin completing the prerequisite knowledge requirements for the MBA program. Your first MBA course may be taken starting Summer after completion of your first year of Law School. As mentioned above, you may also start the dual degree program after the second year of Law School.

MBA courses are offered online asynchronously with ‘at-your-pace’ learning via Kodiak, the WNE University’s Desire2Learn (D2L) Learning Management System. In this dynamic online delivery classroom, you will be able to learn course content while interacting with faculty, fellow students, guest professionals, alumni, and clients from the comfort of your home, business, or mobile device.

The best business schools in the world are accredited by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Western New England University is the only private institution in western Massachusetts accredited by AACSB International and among fewer than 5% of business schools in the world to hold this accreditation.

Accreditation