What is the JD/MPH Degree?

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 JD degree and a Master’s Degree in Public Health.

 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.

Why do we offer a JD/MPH degree?

We see a need for persons who are trained in both disciplines to tackle the difficult discussions and leadership required by rapid change in the health care system.

The issues before policy makers include ethics, financing, public health programs, and their outcomes, legal mechanisms to reduce risk, effective methods of improving health status, and alternative dispute resolution options.

 Combining these degrees should foster a more balanced view of the delivery of health care and promote better public policy discussions by those who complete the double degree.

What career would be open to you if you have a JD/MPH?

Some graduates will accept positions:

• at law firms and focus on health law.
• as in-house counsel with health industry companies.
• in environmental work, either public or private.
• for oversight, policy development, or advocacy in the government.
• with the State Health Departments or hospitals
• as lobbyists, advocacy leaders, and community organizers who deal with the complex challenges of delivering preventive, crisis, and acute health care to the community

In short, the JD/MPH graduate will be equipped to be a public health professional who knows the law and the influence of public policy, or to be a lawyer with specific knowledge of public health care issues. As is evident from the above descriptions, a graduate of the combined degree program will possess unique ability to deal with policy issues related to public health.

What courses would you take?

Students must fulfill the course credit requirements of the respective programs.

• Law School: To meet the requirements for a JD, students must successfully complete 90 credits of course work, 45 in the core program. Students typically carry 12-16 credits per semester. Twelve course credits from the MPH program may be applied to their JD requirements.
• COPH: Students in the combined program must complete a total of 42 MPH course credits. Fifteen hours from the JD program may be applied to the MPH requirements. Eighteen of the MPH hours must consist of 6 core courses. Students in the JD/MPH program will focus on the generalist track.
• Part time students: Both COPH and the Law School accept part time attendance, which will, of course, vary the student’s program considerably and extend the time required to obtain the joint degree. Once begun, the joint degree must be completed within six years. More detailed information is found in Appendix 1.
• Specific requirements: Students in the combined degree program must meet all the requirements for a JD as well as administrative law, health law, and legislation. For the MPH degree, a practicum and a capstone project are required.

Can some courses be used for credit in both programs?

Courses which are acceptable for credit in both programs (“cross electives”) are found in the Appendix 2.

Sample
JD/MPH Curriculum
4-Year Track
90 Hours Law – 42 Hours MPH

Semester	Law	MPH	Cross Electives
Fall 1	15 hrs	-	-
Spring 1	15 hrs	-	-
Fall 2	8 hrs	6 core hrs	-
Spring 2	8 hrs	6 core hrs	2 hrs
Fall 3	10 hrs	6 core hrs	-
Spring 3	4 hrs	3 hrs preceptorship	8 hrs
Fall 4	6 hrs	3 hrs Capstone (also may meet law writing requirement)	4 hrs
Spring 4	12 hrs	4 elective hrs	-
Total Hours	78 + 12 = 90	28 + 14 = 42	14