M.P.H./J.D. Master of Public Health / Juris Doctorate Joint Degree

Overview

The University of Miami School of Law and the Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences offer a joint degree program in law and public health. Upon completion of the programs, a student earns the Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law and a Master of Public Health degree from the School of Medicine.  The average length of this joint program is 3.5 years (seven semesters plus 2 summer sessions).  Law students begin MPH classes after completing the first year of law school.

Students who apply for the joint JD/MPH program must apply both to the School of Law and to the Graduate Programs in Public Health Sciences.

Admission Requirements

·       Application – Applicants must submit their application online through SOPHAS, the centralized application service of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH). All application materials, including transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose/personal statement, resume/CV, and letters of recommendations, must be submitted directly through SOPHAS.  Students who apply to the joint JD/MPH program must apply to both, the School of Law and to the Graduate Programs in Public Health Sciences, separately. Joint degree applicants should check with each program regarding admissions requirements.

·       Transcripts – Applicants must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. All foreign transcripts must be official and submitted in the original language. If the original language is not English, an official translation must be submitted along with the transcript. All non-U.S. transcripts must be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) using ICAP course-by-course evaluation service.

·       Standardized Test Scores – The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for the MPH program. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is required for the JD program.

·       English Proficiency Exam – International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). If English is not a student’s native language, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement may be waived if the applicant holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from an English-teaching academic institution within the United States or from select English-speaking countries.  

·       Resume/Curriculum Vitae – Applicants must include a detailed resume including employment, public health experiences, community service, research, and academic or professional honors. Prior public health experience is not required in order to be considered for admission.

·       Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement – Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose that details their academic interest in the program. The statement should discuss any experiences in public health including field experience, research, training, education or other related qualifications. Applicants should discuss how earning the degree will contribute to their future professional and career goals, as well as to the future of public health. Applicants should also address any academic deficiencies, if applicable.

·       Letters of Recommendation – Applicants must provide three letters of recommendation from individuals who are best able to assess their ability to be successful in a graduate degree program. Ideally, recommenders are recent professors, researchers or employers in a related field. Letters should be signed and on letterhead. Applicants will be asked to include the contact information of their recommenders on the SOPHAS application and recommenders will be sent an online form to complete via email.

For more information about our application process, please click here. To obtain detailed curricula on all our program offerings, please visit our website.

For further information, please contact:

Ginelle Solis, EdD, MPA
Director of Admissions and Recruitment
Department of Public Health Sciences
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
1120 N.W. 14 Street, Room 905 (R-669)
Miami, Florida 33136
Tel: 305-243-7246
Email: publichealthadmissions@miami.edu

JD/MPH Dual Degree Curriculum

¹

Students must complete three specific health law courses (9 credits)

²

Students must complete four law courses (12 credits) from a specified set of offerings in the School of Law

Plan of Study

The average length of the joint JD/MPH program is 3.5 years (seven semesters plus 2 summer sessions).  Law students begin MPH classes after completing the first year of law school.

Students who apply for the joint JD/MPH program must apply to both, the School of Law and to the Graduate Programs in Public Health Sciences, separately.