The University of Kentucky Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree is a two-year, 50-hour program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) and offered through the College of Public Health.
The Juris Doctor (JD) Degree is a three-year, 90-hour degree program of the College of Law that is accredited by the American Bar Association. Under the dual degree program, each college would accept 9 credit hours earned in the other college, allowing the student to complete both JD and MHA degrees with a total of 122 credit hours.
Students apply and must be admitted to both programs. Deadlines for each program may vary so it is important for prospective students to track application processes carefully. See these websites for the most up-to-date application information and admission criteria:
The Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree is a two-year (full-time, residential), 50-hour program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) and offered through the College of Public Health. The Juris Doctor (JD) degree is a three-year (full-time, residential), 90-hour degree program of the College of Law that is accredited by the American Bar Association. Under the dual degree program, each college would accept nine credit hours earned in the other college, allowing the student to complete both JD and MHA degrees with a total of 131 credit hours, and taking a total of four years rather than five.
There are designated advisors in each degree program assigned to the student upon admission. Additionally, students will receive career and professional advising from the MHA Program Director and academic advising from the College of Public Health Graduate Coordinator. A program of study will be developed for each student.
Students consult with an advisor in the MHA Program and the Law School to determine the best path for them. The curriculum sequencing has some flexibility in timing and in emphasis areas.
Students entering the joint degree program benefit from starting as full-time MHA students as it allows them to begin with their cohort, gain fundamental healthcare administration knowledge, and prepare for and complete their summer internships (CPH 688). This is not the only way to complete the program. Prospective students should contact the MHA Program Director and JD/MHA Advisor as soon as they start planning for admission (See contact at the bottom of this page).
Year 1: MHA full time.
Year 2: JD and MHA.
Year 3: JD and MHA.
Year 4: JD and MHA.
A student in the JD/MHA Dual Degree Program may complete the requirements for one of the degrees and be awarded that degree prior to completing all the requirements for the other degree; provided, however, that the student shall have successfully completed at least two semesters of work towards the other degree. All courses in one program that will count towards meeting the requirements of the other must be completed before the awarding of either degree. Students will be required to fulfill all requirements for each degree in order to be awarded that degree, subject to the inter-program transfer of credits.
The combination of healthcare management education and legal expertise opens many doors in health systems and the public sector. The University of Kentucky offers students the opportunity to complete professional degrees in these two areas jointly in less time than they would take separately.
Graduates who earn the MHA and JD degrees are not limited to the traditional law career path of working in a government agency or law firm—they can also expand their opportunities to take on roles in health services organizations.
This program is designed for students who have an interest in law as it applies to healthcare and healthcare leadership. The combination of degrees offers students healthcare-specific topics including the organization behavior and structure, health policy, delivery of health care, health care financial management, operations, quality and safety, leadership development, human resources, and more. Completing both degrees will be especially helpful for students with an interest in healthcare systems, risk management, healthcare legal counsel, the insurance industry, compliance, medical device companies, health care facilities as well as the pharmaceutical industry or health policy organizations.
"The JD/MHA has given me the opportunity to learn about the healthcare system holistically. This has helped set me apart especially on the legal side by allowing me to go into conversations with healthcare stakeholders well informed. I am able to speak the healthcare language and understand their needs outside of the legal realm which helps when giving any sort of specific advice or knowledge." - Michaela Taylor, 4th year
"The JD/MHA has given me the opportunity to learn about the healthcare system holistically. This has helped set me apart especially on the legal side by allowing me to go into conversations with healthcare stakeholders well informed. I am able to speak the healthcare language and understand their needs outside of the legal realm which helps when giving any sort of specific advice or knowledge."
- Michaela Taylor, 4th year
"The dual, JD/MHA program was attractive to me because it provides the opportunity to simultaneously pursue my passion, healthcare, while obtaining an invaluable legal skill set. By combining these two paths, I have become a more competitive candidate as a health law attorney, general counsel, and healthcare administrator." - Garrison Rosser, 3rd year
"The dual, JD/MHA program was attractive to me because it provides the opportunity to simultaneously pursue my passion, healthcare, while obtaining an invaluable legal skill set. By combining these two paths, I have become a more competitive candidate as a health law attorney, general counsel, and healthcare administrator."
- Garrison Rosser, 3rd year
Learn more about the Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the College of Law.
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Dr. Julia Costich KIPRC Associate Director, Peter P. Bosomworth Professor of Health Services Research
