Five concurrent degree options are available to our law students. Three of them allow students to complete two degrees in less time than if they were earned separately, while the fourth (JD/MD) allows a student to complete both degrees simultaneously. The programs are:
JD/MBA Program (Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration)
JD/MPA Program (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Administration)
JD/MPH Program (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Health)
JD/MPS Program (Juris Doctor/Master of Public Service)
JD/MD Program (Juris Doctor/Medical Doctor)
All five programs require admission to the UALR Bowen School of Law as well as the other institution. The decision to seek a concurrent degree need not be made before entering law school, but must be made before completing one of the courses of study. The sooner you embark on a concurrent program, the better your opportunity to take advantage of single courses that count toward both programs.
Official JD/MBA Program Description (pdf)
JD/MBA Declaration (pdf)
The UALR Bowen School of Law and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business offer a concurrent JD/MBA program. The program allows cross-credit for certain specified courses, offering a potential savings of 12 credit hours in the total credit hours otherwise required for both degrees.
Admission to both programs must be obtained separately, and a “Declaration of Intent to Pursue Concurrent Degree Programs” must be filed with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the Bowen School of Law and with the Director of Graduate Studies of the College of Business.
For more information contact:
John DiPippa, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
UALR Bowen School of Law
501.324.9438
Dr. Robert Oliva
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
UALR College of Business
(501) 569-3352
Official JD/MPA Program Description (pdf)
The Bowen School of Law and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Graduate Program of Public Administration offer a concurrent JD/MPA program. The program allows cross-credit for certain specified courses, offering a potential savings of 27credit hours in the total credit hours otherwise required for both degrees.
Admission to both programs must be obtained separately, and a “Declaration of Intent to Pursue Concurrent Degree Programs” must be filed with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs of the Bowen School of Law and with the MPA Program Coordinator, Graduate Program of Public Administration.
For more information contact:
John DiPippa, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
UALR Bowen School of Law
501.324.9438
MPA Program Coordinator, Graduate Program of Public Administration
UALR Institute of Government
501-569-3211
Official Program Description (pdf)
JD/MPH Declaration (pdf)
The Bowen School of Law and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health (COPH) offer a concurrent JD/MPH program. Admission to both programs must be obtained separately, and a "Declaration of Intent to Pursue Concurrent Degree Programs" must be filed with the Associate Deans of both colleges. Pursuant to Part II.A of the Official Program Description, the School of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs has approved the following three courses for credit toward the JD: (1) Regulation of Environmental Health; (2) Healthcare Policy and American Society; and (3) Public Health Law. In addition, the College of Public Health Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs has approved the following two courses for credit toward the MPH: (1) Family Law and (2) Bio-Ethics Seminar.
The concurrent degree program results in a JD (Juris Doctor), the academic professional degree required to take the Bar Exam, and the MPH (Masters of Public Health), the professional public health degree which is a prerequisite for seeking a Dr PH degree or qualifying for a professional level public health position.
The combination of course work allows the student to get both degrees in a four year period, which represents a time savings of a semester or more. This shortened time, however, does not dilute the requirements of either degree; you receive each degree separately, and you are fully qualified in each.
Usefulness of JD/MPH
Your choices are varied, particularly now with renewed attention to public health efforts and the extent to which they can be furthered by the use of the law.
Positions may be found at state, local, and federal levels of health, environmental, agricultural, and other regulatory agencies. The geographic availability of these positions is international. Whether at a university or foundation, you can apply your JD/MPH as an academic.
If health policy making is your goal, there is no better preparation for serving on a school board, a city board, a quorum court, a state legislature, or a federal legislature, all of which must address issues relating to the public health and welfare. Your combined degree will assist you in regulatory positions as well and enable you to write regulations and legislation more effectively. If you decide to go into the private practice of law, you will have a special qualification attractive to the growing number of firms who are expanding into the practice of health law and public health law.
You may choose to become a lawyer with a special expertise in public health, or you may choose to become a public health professional with a special knowledge of the law and how to use it for public health programs. Some combined degree holders find positions where both degrees are called upon equally.
Deadlines
You must take the LSAT, which is accepted by both programs for admission consideration. JD students are advised to submit their completed application, which includes LSAT results, between September 1 and January 1, although they will be accepted up to April 15. In order to be accepted at COPH, applications should be submitted by April 1, accompanied by LSAT results.
For more information contact:
Diane S. Mackey, Director of the JD/MPH program
4301 West Markham St., #820 Little Rock, AR 72205
866-330-9464 (toll free)
501-526-6673
501-526-6750 (fax)
Official JD/MPS Program Description (pdf)
JD/MPS Declaration (pdf)
The Bowen School of Law and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service offer a concurrent JD/MPS program. This is the only degree of its kind in the country. The concurrent program allows cross-credit for certain specified courses, offering a potential savings of 20 credit hours in the total credit hours otherwise required for both degrees.
Admission to both programs must be obtained separately, and a “Declaration of Intent to Pursue Concurrent Degree Programs” must be filed with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the Bowen School of Law and with the Director of Student Services for the Clinton School.
For more information contact:
John DiPippa, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
UALR Bowen School of Law
501.324.9438
Official JD/MD Program Description (pdf)
A student at the UALR Bowen School of Law and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine may pursue the JD and the MD degrees under a concurrent degree program. While no time or credit hour savings will be realized, several major advantages will be offered in this combined degree program. A student will enter the program knowing that they are on track to receive both degrees; a longer than normal deferral period will be allowed by the medical school; and the law school course work can have a focus on health law.
Admission to both programs must be obtained separately, and a “Declaration of Intent to Pursue Concurrent Degree Programs” must be filed with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs of the Bowen School of Law and with the Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the College of Medicine.
For more information contact:
John DiPippa, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
UALR Bowen School of Law
501.324.9438
Richard P. Wheeler, M.D.
Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
Revised: 11/6/2006