Three-Year JD/MBA Joint Degree Program

About the Program

Program Description
Frequent Questions
A Sample Course Plan

Description

The Indiana University School of Law—Bloomington and the Kelley School of Business are among the very few law and business schools in the United States to offer joint JD/MBA degrees in a program that can be completed in three instead of the usual four years. It is a demanding program for only the most highly qualified and motivated students. For the right person, the three-year JD/MBA offers a unique opportunity to gain two valuable degrees from one of the nation's most prestigious institutions while being absent from the working world for only three years.

The three-year program does not replace Indiana University's four-year JD/MBA program; the four-year program will continue to be available to new applicants.

Admission to the Three-Year JD/MBA Program

Applicants to the three-year program must apply and be admitted separately by the Kelley School and the Law School. Thus, each applicant must at a minimum meet the requirements for admission to the JD and MBA programs, including competitive LSAT and GMAT scores. In addition, applicants must have at least two years of significant work experience, and evidence of a high degree of motivation to take on the aggressive three-year schedule. Applicants must complete each school's application form and provide the required supporting documentation, including test scores and undergraduate transcripts. The applicant must inform both schools that he or she intends to pursue the three-year JD/MBA program.

Tuition and Financial Aid

JD/MBA students are charged a per-credit-hour rate, currently $408.08 for Indiana residents and $938.10 for non-residents. Please note that these rates are subject to change each year. Students must also pay a $300 program fee for each term enrolled. Additionally, students who choose to enroll in the Kelley School's Washington Campus Program must pay a separate course fee of approximately $1000.

Loans and financial aid awards will be coordinated by the schools; Candidates offered admission will be automatically considered for merit-based awards offered by each school. The criteria for the award of financial aid are the same as for all other graduate students. Please contact Jim Schutter at (812) 855-7746 or e-mail jischutt@indiana.edu with questions.

Graduation Requirements

Joint-degree candidates take 79 required credit hours in the Law School and 42 credit hours in the School of Business for a total of 121 credit hours. The first-year law curriculum is exactly the same as for all JD students, although students admitted to the three-year program must enroll in the Law School's "summer start" program and complete four credits in Criminal Law prior to the start of the regular academic year. Legal Professions, a required legal ethics course, must also be completed during the first year. There is no change in the upper-level writing or skills requirements of the Law School.

The joint-degree student is required to complete 42 credit hours in Business; 28.5 of these credit hours are required courses. The remaining 13.5 credit hours, students can develop a specialization. JD/MBA students do have the option of pursuing a standard MBA major, however, this will limit the ability to enroll in additional elective MBA course work. Students are encouraged to pursue the Design major which will provide greater flexibility in course selection. Within the Design major, JD/MBA students can choose to concentrate on course work in various tracks including entrepreneurship, corporate finance or investment banking. Tracks are not required. No law course credit counts toward the MBA part of the joint degree.

Curriculum

The recommended 3-year JD/MBA Program curriculum (shown at the end of this document) is recommended as the best way to complete the JD/MBA in three years. Minor departures from the recommended schedule can be expected and some flexibility is built into it. However, major departures will make it difficult or impossible to complete the joint degree in three years.

The Entrepreneurship Law Clinic is a valuable elective element of the JD/MBA program; however, it will not be required of students in the three-year program. Participation in the clinic will limit the student's ability to pursue elective courses in both schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the three-year and four-year JD/MBA programs?: The three-year JD/MBA program permits a student with significant workplace experience to complete both degrees in three academic years plus two summers while the traditional four-year program requires four academic years. To be able to complete both degrees in three years, the curriculum is much more structured and requires a relatively heavy credit-hour load in the later semesters of the program. At the end of both programs, graduates will be able to return to the workforce with two full professional degrees, an MBA and a JD.
Who should pursue the 3-year joint program?: The three-year JD/MBA program is primarily geared toward individuals with significant work experience who are seeking careers in business where an understanding of legal issues would be beneficial. The four-year program is better suited to those with minimal to no post-college work experience and prepares students for careers in either business or law. The shorter length of the three-year program works well for those who are leaving full-time employment to complete the JD/MBA since absence from the work force is shortened by one year and income loss is thereby minimized.

Admissions Issues

What are the prerequisites for admission to the program?: Neither the Law School nor the Kelley School requires specific undergraduate majors or undergraduate course work as prerequisites for admission. The three-year JD/MBA program requires two years of work experience for consideration. Consult the admission criteria for the Kelley School of Business and the School of Law.
Do I need to apply to each school?: You must apply to each school separately. On each application, or through an application addendum, you should indicate that you wish to be considered for the three-year JD/MBA program. It is possible for applicants to be admitted to one school and not the other. Applicants admitted to both schools could also potentially be considered for the four-year rather than the three-year program.
If I have already applied to one of the schools, what should I do?: You should simply apply to the other school, and inform both schools that you wish to be considered for the three-year program.
Must I pay the application fee to both? Are the fees able to be waived?: You must pay each school's application fee ($50 Business School and $35, Law School). The Law School will waive the application fee in certain circumstances, including financial need. Students seeking a fee waiver should call the Law School Admissions Office at 812-855-4765 and ask for a Fee Waiver Application.
Do I have to take the LSAT and GMAT? When are the tests available and how do I sign up register for them?: You must take both the LSAT and GMAT. Dates of administration and registration information are available at www.mba.com and the Law School Admission Council.
What is the application deadline? Does it matter which deadline I choose?: The Law School offers admission on a rolling basis; therefore, earlier application submission is always better. The MBA Program offers multiple deadlines, including January 15, March 1, and April 15. If you are interested in the three-year program, we recommend submitting your application to each school by March 1. Applications received after April 15 can only be considered for admission to either program individually or for participation in the four-year JD/MBA program.
Can I spend the first academic year in the MBA program?: Because of condensed timeframe, three-year students must begin in the summer with specified courses at both schools. While you will begin your three-year JD/MBA experience taking summer courses from both the School of Business and the Law School, your first full academic year (fall and spring semesters) must be spent in the Law School.
Can I change my mind about doing the joint degree once enrolled? Can I switch to the four-year program at any point in the program?: The four-year JD/MBA will remain available to participants in the three-year program as an alternative for students who find, for any reason, that the three-year program no longer meets their needs. While students can move from the three- to the four-year program, they cannot move from the four- to the three-year program once they have begun their studies.
Is an interview required as part of the admissions process?: The Kelley School encourages you to schedule an interview as part of the MBA admission process. We offer interviews on the Bloomington campus and in the fall at MBA fairs held in a variety of locations in the United States and abroad. You should plan to complete an interview before you submit your application for the deadline you've chosen because once you submit your application, interviews will be available by invitation only. Those invited to interview may be offered the opportunity to interview by phone. Phone interviews will not be available to candidates who have not yet applied. All interviews are conducted by members of the admissions committee.
How can I arrange a visit to the two schools? Can I sit in on classes? Can I correspond with current students of the two schools? What other activities can be arranged during my visit?: Contact the respective admissions offices. At the Kelley School, you may visit classes, speak to students, tour our facilities, and have an interview. You may also arrange to visit the School of Law. To speak with current students, contact the respective admissions offices.
Do the two schools consider factors of diversity in their admissions decisions? If so what factors are considered?: Both schools consider diversity factors when making admission decisions. This is the policy both of the schools and of Indiana University. The factors include, but are not limited to economic, educational, racial or cultural factors.
What percentage of students in the program are minorities?: The percentage of minority students is approximately 16 percent at the Kelley School and 18 percent in the Law School's 2005 entering class.
Can I work during the academic year?: The three-year program is an intensive, full-time program, and it cannot be successfully completed if you have other major time commitments.
Are positions as teaching assistants or research assistants available to students in the program?: Given the demands of the program, three-year JD/MBA students will not be eligible for graduate assistantships at the Kelley School. It may be possible to obtain very part-time work as a research assistant at the Law School, but even part-time employment is not recommended given the intensive academic rigor of the three-year JD/MBA program.
What kind of computer will I be required to have? Is wireless internet available throughout the two schools?: Both schools require students to obtain a laptop computer. The Kelley School requirements are much more specific and they meet the requirements of the Law School; therefore, three-year JD/MBA students should follow the Kelley School specifications. The Bloomington campus has total wireless coverage.
What types of housing are available to students? What is the range of housing costs?: Consult the Graduate and Professional Student housing bulletin board.

Curricular Issues

Can I still participate in a law journal and/or moot court program within the law school?: With careful planning, three year JD/MBA students can participate in a law journal and/or moot court program. Participation in the three-year program may limit the positions you will be able to hold in the organizations, however.
Will I be able to participate in semester abroad or summer abroad programs of either school?: With careful planning, students can participate in a semester or summer abroad program. Curricular requirements of the three-year program, however, will make this challenging. Students will need to plan far in advance, and should know that this will limit their ability to take other elective courses.
Will I be able to take the courses which are typically covered on bar exams?: With careful planning, you will be able to take the courses which are typically covered on the bar exam. The exact courses you are able to take will, however, depend on each semester's schedule of classes.
Will I be able to have the same choices of MBA majors?: JD/MBA students do have the option of pursuing a standard MBA major however, students are encouraged to pursue the Design major which will provide greater flexibility in course selection. Within the Design major, JD/MBA students can choose to concentrate on course work in various tracks including entrepreneurship, corporate finance, and investment banking, however this is not required.
Will I be able to participate in the MBA Academies?: Academies blend advanced course work, sector-focused experiences, special projects, and direct involvement with industry experts in students' primary area of interest to bolster their academic work in the program. MBA Academies are a required part of the MBA curriculum. Since the JD/MBA will have limited elective course work, Academy participation provides invaluable specialized business experience and knowledge.
What is the Entrepreneurship Law Clinic? Are there other clinics for those not interested in entrepreneurship? Are three-year JD/MBA students required to participate in a clinic?: The Entrepreneurship Law Clinic is currently the only business-oriented clinical opportunity offered by the two schools. The clinic gives students the opportunity to work on actual business formation, including planning and strategy issues, in a multidisciplinary setting. Three-year JD/MBA students are not required to participate but with careful planning can participate in this unique clinical opportunity.
Are law and business classes held in the same building or, if not, are the buildings in close proximity?: The law and business buildings are within easy walking distance of each other.
Are there preparatory courses or self-study recommendations for those without a business background?: The Kelley School does offer on-line diagnostics and preparatory courses to students. Jump Start courses are designed to provide incoming students with a foundation of knowledge and to prepare them for the rigors of the Kelley MBA Program. Jump Start courses are offered in Accounting, Finance, and Quantitative Methods. If unable to attend Kelley's Jump Start courses, or even as a supplement to Jump Start, incoming students may want to take an accounting course, business statistics course, and become comfortable with Excel's advanced functions.
When do summer classes begin? What if I miss the first summer's classes? Are summer classes required?: Summer classes are required. You must take the courses specified for the first summer to be able to complete the three-year JD/MBA program. Required courses begin on June 27, 2006 but students may enroll in a business elective starting on June 13.
What is the typical course plan for students in the three-year JD/MBA?: See a sample course plan.

Job Search Issues

Will I be able to get a summer law clerkship or other practical law experience? Will I be able to get business experience during a summer or a regular semester?: Time to complete a summer law clerkship is built into the three-year curriculum during the second summer, and time to participate in a business internship is built into the curriculum during the third summer. Students are responsible for securing their own internships (see below).
What assistance will I receive in finding a job? A job in the legal profession? A job in the business sector?: The career services offices of the Kelley School of Business and of the School of Law offer a full range of job search services.
In what geographical area are graduates of the schools employed?: The Kelley School and the School of Law place their graduates all over the United States. 65% of the School of Law's recent graduates work outside Indiana. Consult the Kelley School of Business career services website for more information.
As I near completion of the program, can I pursue jobs in both business and law?: Yes; you will have a full law and business degree. However, to practice law you will also need to take and pass the bar examination of the state in which you plan to practice law.

A Sample Course Plan for the Program

Law	Business	Law Credits	Business Credits
Summer 1
Criminal Law		4
	Kelley Elective		1.5-3.0
First Year, Fall
Civil Procedure I		3
Contracts I		3
Torts		5
Legal Profession		3
Legal Writing I		2
First Year, Spring
Civil Procedure II		3
Contracts II		2
Constitutional Law I		5
Property		4
Legal Writing		2
Summer 2
Corporations (or equivalent)		4
B710		4
	Elective		1.5-3.0
Second Year, Fall
	MBA Core		15.0
	Leadership, Professional, and Career Development		1.5
	Academy Intensive Week #1		1.5
Second Year, Winter
	Washington Campus Program 4		3
Second Year, Spring
	Electives		6
	Academy Intensive Week #2		1.5
Electives, preferably including Income Tax; must take 2L writing course		7
Summer 3
(Optional: B706 for 3L writing requirement)		2
	Internship
Third Year, Fall
Electives, including Entrepreneurship Law Clinic if applicable		13
	Entrepreneurship Law Clinic (or elective) (1st 7 weeks)		1.5
	Academy Intensive Week #3		1.5
	Leadership Development Institute (first 7 weeks)		1.5
	MBA Electives		3.0
Third Year, Spring
Electives, including Entrepreneurship Law Clinic if applicable		133
	Entrepreneurship Law Clinic (or elective)		1.5
	Elective		1.5
Total--121		79	42

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