J.D.-M.P.H. (PUBLIC HEALTH) PROGRAM
The following program for a joint 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 joint program. Students may seek admission to the Graduate
School and initiate the combined-degree program after they have
begun matriculating in the Law School.
Graduate
Admissions | Law
School Admissions
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 two residency semesters; 42 credits in an approved program, including
at least 30 course credits; and completion of a six-credit thesis
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 joint J.D.-M.P.H. program takes four years to complete and requires a minimum of 116 credits.
In effect, the program consists of the complete first-year program
at the School of Law and at least three years of courses
taken from the curricula of the two schools and, when appropriate,
from other graduate offerings at the University. The J.D. and M.P.H. degrees are awarded at the same time upon the completion of the requirements for both degrees.
Change of Status At any point in the
program, the student may terminate plans for a joint 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact
Professor Ruth
Gaare Bernheim at rg3r@virginia.edu
J.D.-M.A. PROGRAM IN BIOETHICS
The J.D.-M.A. Program in Bioethics was instituted
in 1998 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 the Director of the Center for Biomedical
Ethics in the School of Medicine.
Admission to the Program Students
are 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. Students must meet the same standards
as any other applicant, and candidacy for the joint program is
not considered at this stage. Once admitted to the two schools,
the student may apply to the Program Committee for admission
to the joint program. Students may seek admission to the Graduate
School and initiate the combined-degree program after they have
begun matriculating in the Law School.
Graduate
Admissions | Law
School Admissions
Curriculum The student is required
to meet all requirements set by the respective Schools for the
award of both the J.D. and M.A. 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.A.
degree include 24 credits in an approved program, and completion
of a thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor. (It is
also possible to complete the MA degree by earning 30 credits
in an approved program without a thesis.)
With the approval of a Law School representative
on the Program Committee, students may receive up to 12 of the
86 credits required for their J.D. degrees in appropriate graduate
level work in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Similarly,
with the approval of a Graduate School representative on the
Program Committee, students may receive up to 18 of the credits
required for the M.A. degree in appropriate work in the School
of Law. No student, however, may have more than 15 credits applied
toward both degrees.
The joint J.D.-M.A. program normally takes
three and one-half years to complete and requires a minimum of
95 credits and an approved thesis (or a minimum of 101 credits
without a thesis). In effect, the program consists of the complete
first-year program at the School of Law and at least two and
one-half years of courses taken from the curricula of the two
schools and, when appropriate, from other graduate offerings
at the University. However, it is possible for an enterprising
student to complete both degrees sooner by taking a heavier course
load and devoting one or two summers to the program.
Change of Status At any point in the
program, the student may terminate plans for a joint 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact
the Law School faculty advisor, Professor Richard
J. Bonnie.
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