JD/MHA in Health Administration

The University of Miami School of Law, in partnership with the Miami Herbert Business School, offers a joint JD/MHA in Health Administration and the Law. This program is designed for students seeking a comprehensive MHA in Health Administration alongside a law degree. This interdisciplinary healthcare law program combines legal training with core concepts in healthcare administration, preparing graduates to navigate the complex intersection of law, policy, and the business of healthcare.

Who should consider this Joint Degree?

This program is designed for JD students who have an interest in obtaining a master’s in health administration and building expertise in public health, healthcare management, and regulatory compliance.  It offers students health care specifics, including the structure, organization, policy, and delivery of health care.  Having both degrees will be especially helpful for students with an interest in health care systems, insurance companies, compliance, medical device companies, health care facilities, as well as the pharmaceutical industry or health policy organizations. 

Build Expertise in Healthcare Management and Public Health
By earning both degrees, students develop a well-rounded understanding of the legal and operational challenges facing today’s healthcare industry. This JD MHA pathway equips graduates with the leadership, analytical, and legal skills needed to drive innovation in healthcare management, support effective public health initiatives, and adapt to a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Courses and Credits

On the JD side, students must complete 82 credits in the Law School and 6 credits will be double-counted from the MHA courses to complete the total of 88 credits.  On the MHA side, students must complete 32 credits in MHA courses and 8 credits will be double-counted from the JD coursework to complete the total of 40 credits.  Students will be required to complete 114 credits for both degrees.

Students will be awarded a Graduate Business Certificate as part of the curriculum for this program. 

Juris Doctor (JD) Course Requirements

• During the first year of the joint program, students will be required to attend the JD program full-time.
• Students who begin in the JD program will be able to take courses in the MHA program beginning the fall of their 2L year
• Students must complete all JD requirements as defined by their program.
• Students may take summer law courses which may reduce the length of the joint degree program by up to a semester.
• Students may not take more than 16 credits/semester across both programs (17 credits/semester may be taken if they have a 3.0 law school G.P.A. or receive permission from the Vice Dean, Academic Affairs, School of Law.) 

Master of Health Administration (MHA) Course Requirements

• The  Program Director with the student will determine the course curriculum allowing for 8 credits to come from the JD program.
• All 14 credits in the Graduate Business Certificate curriculum must be completed in order to receive the certificate.  

Law School Specific Course Requirements

Required:

• Health Rights Clinic
• Health Law

Electives (At least 4 credits from the following list):

• Hospitals, Health Care Services and Access:  An Interdisciplinary Inquiry
• Business Associations
• Nonprofit Organizations and Social Enterprises
• Start-up Law and Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to the Deal
• Corporate Compliance and Social Responsibility
• Insurance Law

Note: Since all JD students are permitted to take up to 6 credits of non-law graduate-level courses, the Law School will apply 6 credits of the MHA courses to the JD for conferral of the JD degree.

Admissions

To be admitted to this program, students must apply separately to both programs.  Typically, students will begin the Law School and then start the masters program in their second year of Law School.  However, it is possible for students in the MHA program to apply to the Law School, be accepted and begin the joint degree program/first year of the JD the following year.  (MHA student need to save at least 6 credits to be completed after they begin their JD program.) 

Applications to the MHA program may be submitted between mid-August and April 1st for a fall start.  The GRE or GMAT will not be required; the student’s LSAT score will be used instead.  Once a student applies, the Business School will request the student’s law school application from the Law School.  

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for JD courses will be paid to the Law School.  Tuition for the MHA program courses will be paid to the Miami Herbert Business School.  Law School scholarships may only be used toward tuition for Law School courses.

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