Nov 26, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Juris Doctor/Master of Science in Finance (JD/MSF)


The Seattle University juris doctor/master of science in finance joint degree program is designed to allow students to complete both degrees in less time than if the two degrees were obtained independently outside the program. Certain courses taken at the School of Law count toward the MSF degree and certain courses taken in the Albers School of Business and Economics count toward the JD degree. This joint degree program is available to both full- and part-time students.

MSF degree: Full-time students ordinarily complete the master of science in finance degree in a minimum of one year. Among other requirements, applicants to the MSF program must have a current résumé as well as completion of three program prerequisites or they may seek to have some or all of the prerequisites waived. Students in the master of science in finance program must complete 45 credits of course work in designated areas. See specific MSF course requirements  in this Graduate Catalog.

JD degree: Full-time law students ordinarily complete the JD degree in three years; part-time students may take four years or longer. Students must complete a total of 90 semester credits of course work. In the full-time program, students complete 30 credits of required course work in their first year. In their second and third years, law students must complete 15 credits of required course work and 45 elective credits. For specific JD course requirements see the School of Law Catalog.

JD/MSF Joint Degree Program: Full-time students can complete the JD/MSF joint degree program in a minimum of three years, which is one year less than would be required to complete the two degrees independently. Time to completion will be longer if the student is part-time and/or if the student must complete the business prerequisites for the MSF degree. Students in the JD/MSF program must complete the equivalent of 90 semester credits for the JD degree and the equivalent of 45 quarter credits for the MSF degree. Students can satisfy the requirements for each degree by using a specified number of crossover credits chosen from a list of approved courses in each school. Of the 90 semester credits required for the JD degree, 12 semester credits can be satisfied by 18 quarter credits chosen from a list of specified graduate business degree courses. Of the 45quarter credits required for the MSF degree, 9 quarter credits can be satisfied by 6 semester credits chosen from a list of specified JD degree courses. Note: Law credits may not be used to satisfy the MSF requirement of two finance courses chosen from specified electives. Students must complete all of the required courses for each degree.

Additional Information for Joint Degree Programs:


  1. The American Bar Association, one of the accrediting agencies for law schools, requires that the JD degree be completed within a maximum of seven years.
     
  2. One quarter credit is the equivalent of .67 semester credits. A three-quarter credit crossover business course could, for example, be used to satisfy two-semester credits for the JD degree.
     
  3. One semester credit is the equivalent of 1.5 quarter credits. A four-semester credit crossover law course could, for example, be used to satisfy six-quarter credits for the graduate business degree.