Juris Doctor/Master of Public Health (JD/MPH)

Mission Statement

Program Description

The purpose of the JD/MPH joint-degree program is to prepare and train students in applying law and policy to public health problems. The program allows the law student at the Tulane Law School to combine in-depth advocacy and policy skills learned in the JD program with the population health perspective gained in the CHS program to address policy and advocacy needs at the community level. The student can concentrate in one of two focus areas within Community Health Sciences (maternal and child health or health education).

Program Competencies

It is expected that students will acquire the public health competencies identified by Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) through successful completion of the school core courses. The expected terminal knowledge and skills provided by the program and expected of the student in Community Health Sciences will vary by student because of the self-direction inherent in this program.  It is expected, however, with the guidance by an advisor, that students will be well-versed in planning and evaluating community programs (CHSC 611 and CHSC 612), have the knowledge and skills required for community-based work, and obtain hands-on experience in community-based work by completing a community-based practicum.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate should be able to:

1. Assess individual and community needs for public health programs.
   CHS Courses: 6110,6120,6800
   
2. Demonstrate competence in planning community-based public health programs and research projects.
   CHS Courses: 6110,6210,6800; Law School Courses: 4LAW528-01
   
3. Implement and manage preventive strategies, interventions and programs at the community level.
   CHSC Courses: 6110,6210,6350,6360,6800; SPHL6030; Law School Courses: 3LAW345-02, 4LAW528-01
   
4. Acquire the ability to identify and use various methods of evaluating community-based public health programs.
   CHSC Courses: 6120
   
5. Communicate and advocate for community health programs and policies.
   CHSC Courses: 6100,6120,6210,6220,6260,6800; Law School Courses: 4LAW430, 3LAW345-02, 4LAW528-01, 4LAW547
   
6. Serve as a resource person for community-based programs in public health.
   Courses: CHSC6120, SPHL6030, SPHL9980; Law School Courses: 4LAW431, 3LAW345-02, 4LAW528-01, 4LAW547
   
7. Promote cultural competence within diverse community settings.
   Courses: CHSC6100; SPHL6030; Law School Courses 4LAW431; 3LAW345-02
   
8. Apply legal policy to address public health problems.
   Law School Courses: 4LAW431; 3LAW345-02; 4LAW528-01; 4LAW547
   
9. Advocate for public health policies and/or programs using legal skills.
   Law School Courses: 4LAW431; 3LAW345-02; 4LAW528-01; 4LAW547
   

Admission Requirements

Candidates must apply separately to each Tulane degree program, fulfilling the application requirements of each. Candidates must also petition the Joint Degree Programs Committee of the Law School, even if they are already enrolled at the Law School. The petition is initiated by contacting the Associate Dean for Admission at the Law School. All applicants must take the LSAT in order to be considered for admission to the Law School. The School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine requires the GMAT or the GRE.

After the candidate has been offered admission to each program, a Joint Degree Programs Committee determines whether admission to the joint program should be offered. This process is initiated by contacting the Associate Dean for Admission at the Law School.

Program Requirements

A total of 42 credits will be required at the SPHTM.  Thirty-two academic credits will be completed within the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine over 18 to 24 months, and ten credits will be transferred from coursework at the Tulane Law School in consultation with the student’s CHS advisor.  Together these constitute 42 credits, meeting the requirement by the American Schools of Public Health (ASPH) of a minimum of 42 credits for the MPH degree and waiving no more than 25% of those credits. Example courses from the Law School which can be taken for credit at the SPHTM include: Bioethics Seminar; Family Law; Health Care Law & Regulation; and International Human Rights. The program requires the satisfactory completion of the Law School requirements, the SPHTM core courses, the courses required by the Department of Community Health Sciences, a 300 hour practicum, and a culminating experience.

The specific Tulane Law School requirements include the following:

• Six full-time semesters in academic residence
• 88 semester hours of law school with at least a 2.0 or C average
• Complete all of the required, first-year courses (Introduction to Civil Procedure, Contracts I, Criminal Law, Torts, and Legal Research & Writing I & II, Constitutional Law I, one of the two introductory Property courses, and either Contracts II or Obligations I)
• Complete the 3-credit Legal Profession course
• Complete the upper class writing requirement and the professional skills requirement
• Fulfill the 30-hour pro bono requirement
• Satisfy all financial obligations to the Law School and the University
• Be recommended for the degree by the faculty

Course Requirements

The specific SPHTM/CHS requirements include the following:

SPHTM Core Requirements (18 credits) 

CHS Requirements (9 credits)

CHS Electives (5-6 credits)

HEDC:

MCH:

Graduation will also be contingent upon successfully completing a culminating experience: either the Public Health Analysis or a two-part comprehensive exam (Part I to be administered by SPHTM and based on competencies acquired through the school core; Part II to be administered by CHS and based on competencies acquired through the required departmental core.)

Sample Course Schedule

View a sample course schedule

Practicum

A 300-hour advanced field experience (practicum) that allows students to develop competencies in advanced practice skills, under the direction of a qualified preceptor in the practice setting, is required. This practicum should focus on developing advanced leadership skills in public health disciplines. The advisor works with each student to develop measurable learning objectives prior to their practicum experience. Self assessment and reflection as well as assessment of teams, peers and supervisors are important skills in future public health leaders.

Culminating Experience

Students in the Department of Community Health Sciences can choose one of two options for their culminating experience:

1. Public Health Analysis
2. Comprehensive Examination

Public Health Analysis

The Public Health Analysis is an in-depth written report that considers a topic of relevance to public health practice. It involves a thorough review of the literature, discussion, and recommendations for public health policy and practice. The content and format of the report are described in school and departmental guideline documents.

Comprehensive Examination

The Comprehensive Examination consists of two parts: Part A – a school-wide examination based on core competencies, as well as cross-cutting competencies, established by the American Schools of Public Health; and Part B – a departmental-specific examination based on principles and concepts of Community Health Sciences, as covered in the required departmental core courses.

Additional Information

School of Law Website

School of Public Health Handbooks and Guides

Additional Information for all CHS MPH degrees

For more information, contact: Zarie Riley, 504-988-6596, lhodges@tulane.edu.