Degree Programs

Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health
JD/MPH Collaborative Program

"I discovered the joint program after my first year of law school. Public health and law are inextricably linked and the understanding of litigation, legislation, and regulations are essential and necessary skills for public health advocates. Public health is a diverse discipline that is concerned with promoting the safety and health of populations… where it is possible to make a difference on many levels… locally, nationally, and globally. Public health is both inspirational in its goals and pragmatic and result driven in its methods. For me, public health provides an opportunity to put idealism to work in a way that produces tangible results. The JD/MPH program provided me with both a passion and a purpose."

D. Suzanne Bierman, JD, MPH
Graduate of the Fay W. Boozman College
of Public Health and the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law

Why Choose the JD/MPH combined degree program?

The JD/MPH combined program fosters the critical intersecting relationships between the delivery of health care services, the protection of public health, and the legal system. Graduates of this combined degree will be prepared to deal with the complexities of the current legal and healthcare systems and to appreciate the expanding sources of conflict between individual and broader community-based health care needs and interests. Public health and law is an exciting and growing field of study providing professionals with the opportunity to confront complex health issues, such as improving access to health care, controlling infectious diseases, and reducing environmental hazards, violence, substance abuse, and injury. Public health and law is a dynamic field working to protect the publics' health. It is a field geared toward serving others, offering great personal fulfillment to those with a commitment to social justice where what is best for all, not just the few, truly matters.

This program is suited to students who intend to work in government and policy, serve on executive teams of hospitals, or practice as lawyers with a focus on medical/health issues. The JD/MPH degree enables the professional to gain knowledge of the factors which influence social policies and legislation at the local, national, and global levels; develop multidisciplinary and collaborative strategies for developing solutions for health related problems; and to be positioned for a leadership role in health promotion and policy development.

JD/MPH COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Bowen School of Law and the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, both located in Little Rock, Arkansas, have joined to offer an accelerated, coordinated course of study in both law and public health.

Upon completion of the coordinated course in 4 years rather than the usual 5 required for a full time student, the graduate will receive both a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and a Master of Public Health (MPH). In addition to providing a sound foundation in each discipline, the combined program will provide skills in the area of public health programs and interaction between public health and legal policy development.

The UALR Bowen School of Law and the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health recognize the interrelationship between the legal system and the delivery of health care services. A student may be a good candidate for this opportunity if she/he wants to train for a leadership role in improving the health status of the community, state, or nation.

For additional specifics about the curricula content and degree requirements contact Dr. Diane Mackey, the Assistant Dean for Institutional and Organizational Affairs and Assistant Professor and Director, JD/MPH Dual Degree Program in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, UALR William H. Bowen School of Law, at 501-526-6673. Follow this link for a detailed description of the curricular requirements for this program, including what courses are approved for cross counting. You may also find more information about the program on the UALR William W. Bowen School of Law website.

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE JD/MPH COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM

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Step 1: Review specific COPH program requirements at www.UAMS.edu/coph.

Step 2: Complete application through SOPHAS (see www.sophas.org for information and checklists) COPH does not require a supplemental application.

Step 3: Forward a check or money order for $25 processing fee ($50 for international applicants) made payable to UAMS COPH.

Step 4: Log in and monitor the status of application and documents in SOPHAS regularly.

Step 5: Once SOPHAS has received all application requirements, it may take up to four weeks for them to verify and deliver the file to COPH. Please take this time into account when adhering to COPH deadlines.

Please note: SOPHAS will not hold your application for the following items:

-Standardized test scores

-International transcripts

Thus, COPH may receive the file incomplete. We will not move forward with the admission review process until the necessary documents either from SOPHAS or the corresponding test agencies or academic institutions are received. Continue to monitor your SOPHAS account for updates regarding the status of these items.

Step 6: After receipt of completed application packet from SOPHAS, COPH will send a confirmation email to the applicant to the preferred email address entered on the application.

Step 7: COPH will schedule a brief telephone interview with each completed and qualifying applicant within three weeks of receipt of file from SOPHAS. Please monitor your preferred email address for this and other communications.

Step 8: The COPH Admissions Committee will review the files and each applicant interviewed will be notified in writing of an admission decision within 4 weeks of the completed telephone interview.

For additional specifics about the curricula content and degree requirements refer to the COPH Catalog or contact the Assistant Dean of Student Services at 501-526-6747.