UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences

JD MPH

Save time by completing both J.D. and master's degrees in our accelerated program.

Get personalized attention that’s focused on you while earning your Juris Doctor and master's degree in public health. UND’s specialized accelerated track allows you to earn your master's degree while getting on the law school track early.

Program type:
Doctoral Degree
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120

Why pursue JD MPH programs?

MPH Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 3
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

JD Application Deadline
Fall:
July 15

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Our unique program allows you to specialize in a master's program while getting a jump start on law school. You complete both degrees in four years rather than five years — a savings in time and money.

  • The MPH portion can be done exclusively online.
  • The MPH program has a 100% employment rate in health careers.
  • In the MPH portion of the program, students will learn how to use law and policy to improve the health status of all populations, how to identify the social determinants of health, and how to appreciate different structures for delivering health care delivery in various settings.
  • In the JD portion of the program students will learn how laws and regulations implement health policy, how to identify the legal requirements that impact public health programs and how to understand the peripheral legal ramifications health care reform

  • UND Law graduates consistently rank among those who graduate with the least debt.

JD MPH Specializations

Three specializations help you develop the necessary critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills to excel in this field.

Indigenous Health

The Indigenous Health specialization offered online, on-campus, and in a hybrid format provides you with a critical understanding of determinants and solutions to health disparities. UND's specialization is the only 100% online Indigenous Health program in the U.S.

Population Health Research & Analytics

The Population Health Research & Analytics specialization prepares you to produce convincing and scientifically sound information about population health, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and provide the basis for improving health policies and programs. This specialization is offered 100% online synchronous or on-campus.

Health Management & Policy

The Health Management & Policy specialization gives you the skills needed to manage health delivery systems effectively and efficiently, analyze health policies and communicate to affect change in health policy and management. This specialization is offered 100% online, on-campus, and in a hybrid format.

Accredited JD and MPH Programs

The School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association.
The Master of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health.

JD and MPH Programs

  • UND Law’s first-time North Dakota Bar Exam pass rate is 87%

  • Provides the skills and expertise needed to operate in the complex and dynamic worlds of health law and public policy.

  • Graduates can find employment developing policy, working as lawyers specializing in health care delivery, insurance, or compliance; general counsel in a public or private hospital; or serve as experts within advocacy organizations devising legal responses to public health challenges.

  • Double your network when you build connections through the law school and medical school. In both the legal and medical, contacts are invaluable.

  • Work at an accelerated pace by dual-counting credits.

  • JD and MPH provides opportunities in health, medicine and law.

What can you do with a JD MPH?

136K

Median annual salary for lawyers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

8%

Expected growth in employment of lawyers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A JD-MPH dual degree puts you in a unique group of educated individuals and opens doors to flexible career paths.

  • Public Health Attorney
  • General Counsel (Medical)
  • Human Rights Attorney
  • Pharmaceutical Counsel
  • Disability Rights Attorney

JD MPH Courses

PH 555. Health Law & Policy Analysis. 3 Credits.

The U.S. health system is undergoing significant transformation, and public health has a critical role at the federal, regional, state, and local levels. Students will learn advanced skills in applied health policy including: researching health legislation (e.g., Public Health Service Act, Social Security Act, Affordable Care Act); understanding the interdependent role of laws, administrative rules, executive orders, and judicial decisions in policy making and implementation; analyzing the evidence base for public health policy interventions; writing brief summaries of proposed legislation; preparing legislative testimony to inform health policy decisions; evaluating and comparing potential health policy interventions; and identifying opponents, proponents, advocates, and other stakeholders related to specific health law policy issues and interventions. Prerequisite: POLS 552. F.

POLS 552. Health Policy. 3 Credits.

This course examines historic and contemporary trends in health care delivery in the United States. Emphasis is placed on addressing health care cost-containment issues; access to health care and, recent efforts to invoke broadly based systemic reforms of the U.S. health care system.

POLS 562. Political Advocacy and Social Entrepreneurship. 3 Credits.

This course examines the use of social enterprises, including nonprofit, to achieve political, economic, and social change. Course coverage includes the use of social enterprises as vehicles for social transformation, development and execution of advocacy campaigns for social enterprises, the role of social enterprises within democracies, and the potential for social enterprises to address and overcome problems of collective action. S, even years.

PH 583. American Indian Health Policy. 3 Credits.

The course will provide a detailed overview of the unique policy issues that form the legal basis for provision of public health and healthcare services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The American Indian (AI) population is unique in the United States in that AIs are born with a legal right to health services. This is based on treaties and numerous other laws, executive orders, court decisions and other legal bases in which the tribes exchanged land and other natural resources for various social services, including housing, education, and healthcare. The Indian Health Service is the federal agency responsible for carrying out the federal government's trust responsibility to provide public health and healthcare services to AIs. Prerequisite: Enrollment in MPH degree program or certificate or consent from instructor. F.

PH 570. Special Topics in Population Health. 1-3 Credits.

This course explores special topics in the field of population health. Topics vary with faculty expertise and issues current in the field. The course may be repeated for credit if the topics are different. Prerequisite: Approval of Faculty Advisor. Repeatable to 6.00 credits. On demand.

PH 541. Public Health Communication. 2 Credits.

This course introduces communication theories and concepts applied to public health problems. Students will develop the skills necessary to use media strategically to advance public health policies and health. The course covers the planning and development, design and testing of concepts, implementation, and evaluation of media campaigns to promote public health goals. Prerequisite: Enrollment in MPH degree program or certificate or consent from instructor. F.

Best Online Public Health Master's Programs

#12 Healthcare Management
#12 College Rank
#14 Intelligent
#14 GradSchoolHub
#16 PublicHealth
#45 STEPS
#50 EDUMED

Several college ranking sites put UND’s Public Health master’s in the Top 20 best online programs in nation. We’re well regarded for our educational quality, affordability and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

Online Master's Degree in Public Health

#2

best online graduate programs

EDsmart

#1

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

You'll be able to earn the MPH portion of your degree fully online, however the JD portion of your degree must be completed in person at UND's School of Law.

You'll experience a mix of asynchronous and synchronous online classes in the MPH program.

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.

Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:

  • Listen to a lecture.
  • Ask questions.
  • Participate in class discussions.
  • Conduct group activities.
  • Participate in video-sharing.
  • Have chat conversations.
  • Use interactive whiteboards.
  • Take live polls.

You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor, and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.

Top-Tier Online Student Resources

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Leaders in Public Health

Alison Traynor received her online master’s degree in public health and is currently the North Dakota Suicide Prevention Director.

Read Alison's Story

Explore More Options

Connect with the faculty you'll work with at UND or discover additional education opportunities.

UND School of Law
Pam Shea
Director Admissions & Records
215 Centennial Dr Stop 9003
P 701.777.2226

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