Law, J.D. & Health Administration, M.H.A. Dual Degree

Saint Louis University School of Law and College for Public Health and Social Justice have joined forces to offer the Juris Doctor and the Master of Health Administration (J.D./M.H.A.) dual degree program.

This specialized program offers highly motivated students the chance to design a career in the combined fields of law and health administration. This degree option opens a number of doors to its recipients including the practice of health law within large, private firms or top-level executive positions in health care organizations.

Students receive a wealth of benefits from participation, including the chance to enact change in the health care industry as a lawyer and a health care administrator. Another benefit is that students obtain both degrees more quickly than if obtained separately, roughly four years compared to five.

Students also are required to complete an administrative internship during the summer between their fourth and fifth semesters to complete the program requirements. The summer internship lasts 13 weeks and helps students coordinate their classroom education with practical experience gained in the field. This experience is vital to teaching students to become sensitive to the environment, needs and functions of the health care industry.

During the internship, students will use their extensive training and practice their administrative skills under direct supervision. Students receive their placement in a health care facility after consultation with their faculty advisor.

Participants in this dual degree program must first complete the basic first-year requirements for SLU's School of Law. This practice gives students a firm foundation for their legal education. After completing the first-year law school requirements, students will attend classes simultaneously in both the School of Law and SLU's College for Public Health and Social Justice for a total of 14-16 hours per semester.

For additional information see the catalog entries for the following programs:

Health Administration, M.H.A.

Law, J.D.

Accreditation 

The Master of Health Administration is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education.

The Saint Louis University School of Law has been continuously accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) since December 1924. The accrediting body is the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.

Students who wish to enter this dual degree program must fulfill all admission requirements for SLU's School of Law and the College for Public Health and Social Justice. They must apply to each separately.

Students can apply during the same admission period, or they can wait and apply to the M.H.A. program during their first year in the School of Law.

Students complete a total of 127 credits of academic work, including the internship, in order to obtain the J.D./ M.H.A. degree. 

The School of Law accepts nine credits of M.H.A. coursework toward the J.D. degree.

Fifteen credits of mentor-approved coursework from the School of Law J.D. degree requirements substitute for HMP 5400 Legal Aspects of Health Services Management (3 cr) and twelve credits of mentor-approved electives.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.