Program Overview

Overview of the M.D./J.D. Dual Degree Program

The M.D./J.D. Dual Degree Program is a 6-year combined program offered by Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC). This program is designed for individuals who wish to pursue careers in areas where medicine and law intersect.

Is an M.D./J.D. Right for Me?

To determine if an M.D./J.D. is right for you, consider the following questions:

1. Do you plan to practice primarily law or medicine?
2. If you plan to practice law, are you interested in fields related to healthcare, such as medical malpractice litigation or intellectual property work?
3. If you plan to practice medicine, will you complete a residency program, and if so, will it be directly related to your expertise in law?

What Can You Do with an M.D./J.D.?

A dual degree in M.D./J.D. prepares graduates to pursue a career in law, medicine, or both. Graduates can work in highly litigious specialties, such as anesthesiology or obstetrics and gynecology, or in specialties related to law, such as forensic psychology or pathology. They can also work in academic medical centers or open their own medical practice.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pursuing a Dual Degree

The advantages of pursuing a dual degree include:

• Time savings: The M.D./J.D. dual degree program can be completed in 6 years, compared to 7 years if the degrees are pursued separately.
• Financial advantages: The dual degree program requires only 2 years of additional cost, rather than 3. The disadvantages of pursuing a dual degree include:
• Significant monetary investment: Pursuing a dual degree requires a substantial financial investment.

Program Structure

The M.D./J.D. dual degree program is a 6-year program, with 4 years spent at BCM and 2 years spent at UHLC. Students attend only one program at a time, with no concurrent coursework. The program structure is as follows:

• Year 1: Baylor College of Medicine
• Year 2: Baylor College of Medicine
• Year 3: Baylor College of Medicine
• Year 4: University of Houston Law Center
• Year 5: University of Houston Law Center
• Year 6: Baylor College of Medicine

Admissions

Admissions to the M.D./J.D. dual degree program require:

• The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) for admission to UHLC
• Independent application and acceptance to BCM and UHLC
• Good academic standing at BCM before entering the J.D. portion of the degree program

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements for the M.D./J.D. dual degree program are as follows:

Baylor College of Medicine:

• 81.5 credits in the pre-clerkship curriculum with a passing grade
• 74.5 credits in the core clinical clerkships and all other coursework required for graduation
• 16 elective credits

University of Houston Law Center:

• 90 credit hours, with 64 having letter grades

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition and financial aid for the M.D./J.D. dual degree program are as follows:

• Students are charged tuition according to the rates effective at the school in which they are enrolled each term
• For more information, prospective students should contact the Baylor Office of Student Financial Aid, the Office of Student Account Services, and the University of Houston Law Center Scholarships and Financial Aid

M.D./J.D. Dual Degree Program Directors

The directors of the M.D./J.D. dual degree program are:

• Susan Raine, M.D., J.D., LLM, MEd (BCM)
• Jessica Mantel, J.D. (University of Houston Law Center)