Saint Louis University School of Law and the 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.
A law degree combined with a master's in health administration prepares students to understand not only the complex workings of the legal system but the administrative needs of health care organizations, making them well suited for positions that directly impact the future of health policy and health care organizations, with the potential to affect the lives of thousands of patients.
Internship
Students are required to complete an administrative internship during the summer between their fourth and fifth semesters that lasts 13 weeks and connects classroom education with practical experience gained in the field, 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.
Careers
SLU's dual-degree program opens doors to a myriad of rewarding career opportunities with significantly less time and expense than if the degrees were obtained separately — roughly four years compared to five. SLU LAW's Center for Health Law Studies is ranked as the premier health law program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and the College for Public Health and Social Justice's M.H.A. is ranked among the top 15 graduate programs for health care management. Students in this dual-degree program experience training from internationally renowned professors, unparalleled professional opportunities at field placements, and access to a robust alumni network.
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.
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 Saint Louis University 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.
Fifteen credits of mentor-approved coursework from the School of Law J.D. requirements substitute for HMP 5400 Legal Aspects of Health Services Management (3 cr) and twelve credits of mentor-approved electives.
Participants in this dual-degree program must first complete the basic first-year requirements for the School of Law, giving them a firm foundation for their legal education. Students will then 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 credits per semester.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
