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The School of Law and the School of Medicine offer a dual degree program in which the student may obtain both the J.D. and M.D. degrees in six years instead of the seven years that would be required if each degree were completed separately.
Administration of the Program The program is administered by a Program Committee composed of advisors from the School of Law and School of Medicine faculties, as designated by the respective deans.
Admission to the Program Students are required to secure admission separately to the School of Medicine and the School of Law through the normal admissions processes of the two schools. The applicant will be held to the same standards as any other applicant, and the fact that s/he is a candidate for the dual degree program will not be considered in the admissions process. Application may be made either prior to entrance at either school or while the applicant is a first-year, second-year or third-year medical student (if applying to the Law School). Students admitted to both schools may make application to the Program Committee for admission to the dual degree program. Admission to the program requires approval of the Program Committee and is not guaranteed.
Curriculum The program takes six years to complete. Under no circumstances will a dual degree student be permitted to complete the program in fewer than six years. NOTE: Credit towards the J.D. degree cannot be granted for course work completed prior to matriculation at the School of Law.
Students are required to meet all of the requirements set by both schools for the award of both the J.D. and the M.D. degrees. In the School of Law, students must complete the required curriculum, meet minimum academic standards, and earn a minimum of 86 credits and six residency semesters in the School of Law during years four, five and six of the program. Dual degree students must earn a minimum of 74 Law credits and will receive 12 credits towards the J.D. for the semester they enroll in the School of Medicine during year six of the program. NOTE: In accordance with ABA standards, J.D. degree candidates may not enroll in more than 17 credits total in any semester during years four, five and six.
In the School of Medicine, students must complete all curricular requirements for the M.D. degree. Students will, however, receive eight weeks of credit towards completion of their School of Medicine Electives Program by successfully completing four Law courses from an approved list of Law courses (as determined by the Program Committee).
Change of Status At any point in the program, the student may terminate plans for the dual degree program and continue towards a single degree at either school. The student then must satisfy the normal requirements of the school elected, which may include credits completed in the other school, as determined by the appropriate officials.
Financial Aid Financial aid will be provided by the school to which the student is paying tuition in a given semester. Financial aid is not guaranteed and is subject to individual school and University regulations and availability. Students must meet the satisfactory academic progress standards of the school providing the financial aid in a given semester.
Tuition and Fees During the first three years of the program, students will pay tuition to the School of Medicine. In years four and five, students will pay tuition to the School of Law. During the sixth and final year of the program, students will pay one semester of tuition to each school.
Extracurricular Activities Students are eligible to participate in the extracurricular activities of both schools to the extent that time permits. Because of the possibility of over-commitment, however, students are strongly encouraged to seek counsel from the Program Committee regarding proposed extracurricular activities.
Grading Standards Students are required to meet the grading standards of each school independently to remain in good standing. Each school retains the right to drop students from its degree program following its usual academic standards and procedures. Problems that arise in translation of different grading standards resulting from the dual degree program will be dealt with by the Program Committee. Grades will be recorded on the student’s transcript in accordance with the grading system in effect at the school in which the course is offered.
For More Information Contact the School of Law faculty advisor, Professor Richard Bonnie.
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