The Best Pre-Law Internships and Extracurriculars to Boost Your Law School Application

Choosing between law school (JD) and a public policy graduate program (MPP or MPA) is a major decision for anyone interested in government, policy, or advocacy. While both degrees can lead to careers in public service, they have different focuses, costs, and career paths.

If you’re debating between law school and a Master’s in Public Policy (MPP) or Public Administration (MPA), this guide will help you decide which is right for you.

1. Key Differences Between Law School (JD) and Public Policy (MPP/MPA) Degrees

2. Who Should Go to Law School (JD)?

✅ Law school is a better choice if you:

Want to become a licensed attorney and practice law.
Are interested in litigation, contracts, constitutional law, or corporate law.
Want the flexibility of working in law firms, government, or in-house legal roles.
Are prepared for 3 years of intensive study and significant student loan debt.

🚫 Law school may NOT be the right fit if:

You don’t want to practice law but are only considering it for policy work.
You’re worried about law school debt and unsure about a high-paying job after graduation.
You prefer data analysis, research, and policy-making over legal arguments.

3. Who Should Get a Public Policy Degree (MPP/MPA)?

✅ An MPP or MPA is a better choice if you:

Want to work in government, policy research, advocacy, or public administration.
Are interested in policy analysis, economic development, or program evaluation.
Want to finish graduate school faster (1-2 years instead of 3 for law school).
Prefer a mix of data analysis, leadership, and real-world policy work.
Want to avoid the massive debt burden of law school and apply for policy fellowships.

🚫 A public policy degree may NOT be the right fit if:

You need a specific professional license (like practicing law).
You’re more interested in courtroom advocacy than policy development.
You prefer a structured, case-based approach to problem-solving (which is more common in law school).

4. Career Paths: What Can You Do With Each Degree?

JD (Law Degree) Careers:

Attorney (Corporate, Criminal, Public Interest, Government)
Judge or Judicial Clerk
Civil Rights or Human Rights Lawyer
Lobbyist or Government Counsel
Nonprofit or Political Advocacy Attorney
Law Professor or Legal Researcher

MPP/MPA Careers:

Policy Analyst (Government, Think Tanks, Advocacy Groups)
Legislative Aide or Policy Advisor
Nonprofit Executive or Program Director
Government Official or Public Administrator
International Development or Foreign Affairs
Public Sector Consultant (McKinsey, Deloitte, etc.)

🔥 Pro Tip: If you’re interested in government consulting, research, or policymaking, an MPP/MPA is often a better fit than a JD.

5. What About a JD-MPP Dual Degree?

Some universities offer dual-degree programs (JD-MPP or JD-MPA), allowing students to earn both degrees in four years instead of five.

✅ A JD-MPP might be right for you if:

You want to combine legal expertise with policy-making skills.
You’re interested in government law, legislative drafting, or policy advocacy.
You want a career in public interest law, civil rights law, or political strategy.

🚫 A JD-MPP might NOT be worth it if:

You only need one degree to reach your career goals.
You want to avoid extra tuition costs and time in school.

6. Law School vs. Public Policy School: Which One Costs More?

Law school is significantly more expensive than public policy graduate programs.

Funding Options for MPP/MPA:

Many public policy programs offer fellowships, assistantships, or employer sponsorships.
Some government agencies (like the Presidential Management Fellowship) cover tuition for policy grads.

Law school scholarships are available, but many students still graduate with six-figure debt.

🚀 Pro Tip: If cost is a concern, an MPP/MPA is generally a more affordable path to a career in policy.

7. Final Decision: Which Degree is Right for You?

Ask yourself:

Do I want to practice law? → Go to law school.
Am I more interested in policy-making, research, or government work? → Get an MPP/MPA.
Do I need both legal and policy expertise? → Consider a JD-MPP dual degree.
Am I concerned about debt? → MPP/MPA is usually the more affordable option.

🚀 No matter what path you choose, Kappa Alpha Pi’s pre-law and policy resources can help you make the right decision.

Final Thought:

If you want to become a lawyer or work in litigation, law school is the best path.
If you want to shape public policy, lead nonprofits, or work in government, an MPP or MPA might be the smarter choice.

👩‍🎓 Still unsure? Reach out to Kappa Alpha Pi mentors or alumni for career insights!