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

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

Careers

SLU's dual-degree program opens doors to many 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.

Programs

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.

CAHME Accreditation

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. Students must apply to each separately. 

Students can apply during the same admission period or 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 12 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.

 
 

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Law Courses 15.5
 Credits15.5
Spring
Law Courses 15.5
 Credits15.5
Year Two
Fall
HMP 5000 Health Care Organization 3
HMP 5030 Introduction to Health Care Accounting 3
HMP 5300 Management of Health Care Organizations 3
HMP 5900 Health Management and Policy Rounds 1
PUBH 5010 Mission and Practice of Global Public Health 2
LAW 8000 Health Care Law 3
 Credits15
Spring
HMP 5500 Health Policy 3
HMP 5110 Health Operations Management 3
HMP 5700 Health Care Financial Management 3
HMP 5900 Health Management and Policy Rounds 1
LAW XXXXLaw Courses 6
 Credits16
Summer
HMP 5910 HMP Internship 1
 Credits1
Year Three
Fall
LAW XXXXLaw Courses 12
HMP 5190 Analytical Methods for Health Management 3
HMP 5900 Health Management and Policy Rounds 1
 Credits16
Spring
HMP 5200 Health Economics (Section 01 for Y1) 3
HMP 5340 Health Care Marketing 3
HMP 5950 Special Study for Exams 0
LAW XXXXLaw Courses 10
 Credits16
Summer
LAW XXXXLaw Summer Experience 0
 Credits0
Year Four
Fall
HMP 5130 Health Information Systems 3
HMP 5390 Ethical Leadership in Health Management and Policy 3
LAW XXXXLaw Courses 10
 Credits16
Spring
HMP 5710 Financial Aspects of Health Care 3
HMP 5800 Strategic Management in Health Care Organizations 3
HMP 5950 Special Study for Exams (Section 02 for Y2) 0
LAW XXXXLaw Courses 10
 Credits16
 Total Credits127