Juris Doctor/Ph.D. in Law and Health Care Ethics

J.D./Ph.D. students earn both the juris doctor degree and a doctoral degree in Health Care Ethics after roughly five years of full-time study. A major benefit of this dual degree format is that students obtain both degrees more quickly than if obtained separately. J.D./Ph.D. students must complete a minimum of 121 credits: 85 credits of law course work, including a three hour course in Directed Research; six hours of courses in the Center for Health Care Ethics, that students apply toward their law degree; and an additional 30 hours in Ph.D. course work in the areas of biotechnological, medical, organizational, or research ethics before completing a doctoral thesis.

Following graduation form the School of Law, the dual degree student would complete the required course work in the Center for Health Care Ethics. It is anticipated that this will require an additional two semesters. Comprehensive exams and the researching and writing of the doctoral dissertation would take approximately an additional two to three semesters. In all, students should finish both degrees in approximately five years. After completing the dual degree program, a diverse array of professional opportunities exist. Graduates are expected to find rewarding positions in academic, clinical, and corporate positions.

Students wishing to enter the J.D./Ph.D. program must fulfill all admission requirements for the School of Law and the Center for Health Care Ethics. They must apply to each separately. Students may apply to both schools during the same admission period, or may wait to apply to the Ph.D. program during their first year in the School of Law.

For additional information about the Ph.D. program in Health Care Ethics, contact Ana Smith Iltis, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Ph.D. Program Director, Center for Health Care Ethics, 221 North Grand Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63103-2006, (314) 977-6673.