To earn the JD / MHA, a student must satisfy the requirements of both the College of Public Health and the College of Law. If there is a scheduling problem, the MHA and Law program representatives will resolve any conflicts on an ad hoc basis.
The following track applies to all students who enter the program at the beginning of their coursework; individual tracks will be determined for students who enter after completing the first year of either program.
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.
Admission to the JD / MHA program requires separate applications to both programs that meet the admission standards of each. Application to the MHA program is through the Schools of Public Health Application System (SOPHAS). Admission standards for the joint degree are the same as for applications to each of the programs; applicants should note on all application forms that admission is being sought for the JD / MHA dual degree program.
Note on part-time status: The joint degree program is not suitable for part-time MHA students. There is no part-time program at the College of Law.
Students who are currently enrolled in either the JD or the MHA program can be considered for admission to the JD / MHA joint degree program after the end of the first full-time year. Application for admission must be accepted by the program in which the student is not yet enrolled. The JD / MHA program is not applicable to students who have already earned one of the degrees.
Students can complete this dual program of study in four years, one year less than the combined five years of study required for the separate JD and MHA degrees. From the perspective of the MHA program, the JD program includes coursework that satisfies up to nine hours of the required MHA coursework. From the College of Law perspective, the MHA course work satisfies nine hours of electives toward the JD degree.
Grade point average for each program is calculated independently by each college. Joint degree students are required to remain in compliance with the academic standards of each degree-granting unit. For example, a student must satisfy the College of Law GPA requirements solely on the basis of graded law school coursework.
During the period of MHA studies, the student will have the status of graduate student and will be required to comply with the rules and regulations of the Graduate School.
During the period of JD studies, the student will have the status of law student and will be required to comply with the rules and regulations of the College of Law. If a student is enrolled in courses in both Colleges, the student may be subject to the rules and regulations of both the College of Law and the Graduate School.
Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements of both programs, the student is granted both degrees and is eligible to participate in graduation or recognition ceremonies for either or both colleges.
In semesters when students are enrolled concurrently in JD and MHA courses, tuition will be assessed in a manner consistent with the policy of each college.
The JD / MHA dual degrees will be granted only upon successful completion of all coursework and examinations. If a student is unable to complete the requirements of either degree, the student may complete the requirements for the remaining degree program, including up to six credit hours of coursework completed in the other program with a grade of B or better.
Course Number - Course Name - Credit Hours
*49 credit hours if a two-credit capstone is selected under subsection (c)
Learn more about the Juris Doctor (JD) degree from the College of Law.
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Placing students in nationally competitive fellowships and jobs, the MHA is the degree of choice for future health system and hospital leaders.
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