Partner School: School of Medicine
Program Length: 12 semesters
This six-year program is designed for students interested in both medicine and the legal aspects of medicine. It links the MD degree with intensive training in the law and provides a full JD education with an additional focus in the health sector. Completion of the law degree will prepare graduates of the dual degree program for careers in health law practice, as well as healthcare systems and healthcare policy, in both government and private sectors. Graduates of the program will also gain the qualifications to practice law and/or medicine, depending on their career direction.
Program Requirements
The MD/JD program is conducted under the joint auspices of the School of Medicine and the School of Law. Students complete the first three years of the medical school curriculum and then spend their fourth and fifth year fully integrated into the JD program at the School of Law. During these two years, they complete most of their JD education. In the sixth year, students complete their remaining medical courses and JD credits.
To earn both degrees, students must successfully complete the required classroom and clinical coursework for the MD and the required coursework for the JD. Students must earn the grade of Pass or Honor in all MD courses and achieve a final grade point average of 2.3 in their JD courses.
Admissions Requirements
Eligibility requirements for the MD/JD program are the same as the traditional MD program plus the requirements for the JD program. Students will submit separate applications to both the medical school and the law school. Applicants should attach a letter to both the School of Medicine and the School of Law stating that they are applying to the combined MD/JD program. It is also possible for students to apply for the MD/JD program after they have begun medical school.
Students pay tuition to—and thus will be eligible for financial aid from—the School of Law during the semesters they are completing credits in the JD program (years 4 and 5 and the spring semester of year 6). For more information, please contact the Financial Aid office at 617-353-3160 or bulawaid@bu.edu.
Contact Information
Dr. Megan Sandel, Associate Professor
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine
617-414-368
msandel@bu.edu
Chloe A. Mathews, Esq.
Associate Director of Admissions
School of Law
617-353-7751
chloeam@bu.edu