Juris Doctor/Master of Public Policy in Stanford United States | Stanford University

Throughout the United States and globally, legislation serves as a key tool for implementing public policy. Concentrating primarily on domestic policy matters (though not exclusively within the U.S.), Stanford's JD/MPP program equips aspiring lawyers with critical skills needed to influence public policy—whether as representatives for governmental or private entities or as public servants in elected or appointed roles. This interdisciplinary, hands-on JD/MPP program mirrors contemporary approaches to policymaking and legal practice. Developed through collaboration among Stanford faculty from various disciplines, the curriculum combines policy analysis training—covering subjects like economics, statistics, research methodology, and data interpretation—with specialized studies in areas such as healthcare policy, environmental regulation, or science and technology policy. A unique aspect of the program is its emphasis on merging legal and policy studies, offering insights into how attorneys can employ policy analysis techniques while serving clients across sectors and how legal frameworks both limit and facilitate policy implementation. The program culminates in a practical capstone project where student groups tackle actual policy challenges using their combined legal and analytical expertise.