J.D.-M.P.H. (Public Health)

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The following program for a combined J.D.-M.P.H. degree was instituted in 2003 by the School of Law, the School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Administration of the Program The program is administered by a Program Committee, consisting of one or more members of the Law faculty appointed by the Dean of the School of Law, one or more members of the faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences appointed by the Dean of the Graduate Faculties, and one or more members of the faculty of the School of Medicine appointed by the Dean of the School of Medicine.

Admission to the Program The student is required to secure admission separately to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the Law School through the normal admissions processes in the two schools. The student has to meet the same standards as any other applicant. Once admitted to the two schools, the student may apply to the Program Committee for admission to the combined program. Students may seek admission to the Graduate School and initiate the combined degree program after they have begun matriculating in the Law School.

Curriculum

The student is required to meet all of the requirements set by the respective Schools for the award of both the J.D. and M.P.H. degrees. In the School of Law, this means that the student 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. In the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, minimum requirements for the M.P.H. degree include 42 credits in an approved program, including at least 30 course credits, and completion of a practicum (or field placement) and a thesis (or other “culminating experience”) under the supervision of a faculty advisor.

With the approval of a Law School representative on the Program Committee, a student may receive up to 12 of the 86 credits required for his or her J.D. degree in appropriate graduate level work in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or other Schools in the University. Similarly, with the approval of a Graduate School of Arts and Sciences representative on the Program Committee, a student may receive up to 12 of the 42 credits required for the M.A. degree in appropriate work in the School of Law. No student, however, may have more than 18 credits applied toward both degrees.

The combined J.D.-M.P.H. program normally takes four years to complete.

Change of Status

At any point in the program, the student may terminate plans for a combined program with the approval of the Program Committee and continue towards a single degree at either school.

Grading Standards

The student is required to meet the grading standards of both schools independently to remain in good standing.

Faculty Advisor

The Law School faculty advisor for this program is Professor Richard J. Bonnie.