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 Joint Degree in Law and Bioethics (JD/MA) |
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Health Law Certificate Program |
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Joint Degree in Law and Public Health (JD/MPH) |
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Master of Studies in Law (MSL) |
Joint Degree in Law and Bioethics
Students enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh School of Law may elect to earn the Master Degree in Bioethics in conjunction with their law degree. Graduates of the program receive the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, the basic professional degree in law, and the Master of Arts (MA) degree from Faculty of Arts and Sciences, with a concentration in bioethics. The joint degree program has been established in recognition of the extensive and increasing overlap between law and bioethics. The objective of this educational program is to prepare graduates with an interdisciplinary background in law and bioethics so they can address those issues and situations that require knowledge of and expertise in both. Graduates will be academically prepared for professional roles as bioethicists in health care institutions, in public policy working for government or voluntary associations, or in the practice of law, giving counsel to health care institutions. This joint degree program permits students to earn the two degrees in a shorter period of time than if pursued separately. A requirement of 76 law school credits and 24 bioethics credits must be taken to receive the joint degree. Students wishing to enter this program may apply before matriculation in the School of Law or while enrolled in the JD program.
Students may begin combining coursework in the two programs in their first semester of law school by taking one of the bioethics core courses (Theoretical Foundations of Applied Ethics) in place of Criminal Law, which would then be taken in the second year of study. Students should discuss this plan of study with Prof. Alan Meisel, Director of this joint program.
For more information on this program (including an informative brochure), contact the Director of Admissions, Center for Bioethics and Health Law, 300 Medical Arts Building, 3708 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3405 (412/647-5700). For a downloadable Application Materials Checklist (PDF file), click here.
Health Law Certificate Program
Students in the School of Law may enroll in the Health Law Certificate Program, which is intended to give students a basic grounding in the field, complemented by clinical experience and more in-depth study of advanced topics and closely related areas of law. A combination of classroom and clinical components acquaints students with everything from bioethics to medical malpractice and the complex business and legal problems surrounding integrated health care networks. Students are expected and encouraged to obtain the same broad background in law expected of all graduates of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Program requirements include the basic course in Health Law, a clinic or practicum, three or four health law electives, a choice of four or five recommended courses, and a research paper on a topic in health law. There is also a variety of externships and summer jobs available in the health care setting. For further information, contact the Director, Health Law Certificate Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (412/648-7120). Email inquiries may be sent to hlc@law.pitt.edu.
Joint Degree in Law and Public Health
The Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) and the School of Law at the University of Pittsburgh offer a cooperative educational program, the joint degree program in law and health policy. Graduates of the program receive the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, the first professional degree in law, and the Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, a professional degree focusing on health policy. The joint degree program has been established in recognition of extensive and increasing overlap between law and health policy and health care in the United States. The objective of this specialized educational program is to provide graduates with an interdisciplinary background to address issues and situations in the health sector that require expertise in both law and health policy. Graduates of this joint degree program are academically prepared for professional roles in health policy and regulation, the practice of law with private clients or government agencies, and for the roles of in-house counsel for health organizations and systems. The course of study ordinarily adds one or two semesters to the time needed to complete the JD degree. For further information, contact the Director, Master Degree in Law and Public Health, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (412/648-7120). Email inquiries may be sent to hlc@law.pitt.edu.
Master of Studies in Law (MSL)
Students enrolled in the MA in Bioethics may wish to complement their studies with the study of law, but without devoting three years to obtain the JD degree. The University of Pittsburgh School of Law's Master of Studies in Law Degree (MSL) provides education about law to people who use law--or will use law--in their careers and who want to learn more about legal studies, but who do not want to become lawyers. This degree may be obtained in one year full time, or part time over the course of up to four years. The MSL program consists of regular law school courses with JD students. It offers over 20 different concentrations, including such complementary areas of study as Health Law and Elder Law. For further information, click here: MSL. Medical Arts Building, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3405
Fax: (412) 648-5877
bioethic@pitt.edu