Return to: School of Law: Degree Programs
The School of Law and the School of Medicine offer a 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 an applicant’s status as a candidate for the Program will not be considered in the admission 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 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 the 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. Students in the Program 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 one of the degrees 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 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.
