MD-JD Dual Degree Programs List and Information 2023

Nov 28, 2021

An MD-JD is a combined medical and law degree. This degree allows you to enter narrow and specialized career paths. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about MD-JD programs.

Table of Contents

What is an MD-JD degree?

The MD/JD is a dual degree that combines medical training with law training, resulting in the second Juris Doctor (JD) degree. This joint degree prepares students to understand the legal aspects of medicine and begin their careers in law, medicine, and biosciences. The JD degree will prepare students to understand substantive and procedural law, perform legal analysis and research, how to successfully communicate orally and in writing in the legal context, collaborate, counsel, and negotiate in the legal profession.

How long do MD-JD degrees take to complete?

Generally, MD-JD degrees take 7 years to complete. It is very common for programs to require students to complete their first three years of medical school, then transition to law courses during their fourth and fifth years. In the last two years, students will typically complete their remaining medical and clinical coursework.

Also, it is typical for prospective students to apply to MD and JD programs separately. Once admitted to both degree programs, advisors will help students create a detailed plan for their joint degrees. This means that students must satisfy the criteria for medical schools and law school separately, which are quite extensive! Some universities will allow medical students to apply to law school during their first year of medical school, as well.

What job opportunities are available with this degree?

This MD-JD dual degree prepares graduates for careers in health law, health policy, bioethics, private practice, government, and biotechnology. Graduates can practice law, medicine, or both. This dual degree is also fit for students who wish to start their own private practice after completing their medical training or who would like to specialize in medical education. 

Students who are primarily interested in legal work or public service can specialize in the practice of regulatory law, food and drug law, or even intellectual property law in the biotechnology and health sectors.

What are the salary ranges for MD-JD careers?

Average national salary ranges to popular careers with medical and law degrees are:

  • Medical professor: $105-187k
  • Healthcare or Malpractice attorney: $90-240k
  • Intellectual property attorney: $110-200k
  • Private law firm name partner: $320-360k

Is the MD-JD right for me?

Joint MD degrees require a tremendous amount of work and dedication and will require students to interrupt their medical courses to satisfy other requirements. However, if you are truly committed to practicing both law and medicine, or pursuing a career at the intersection of these fields, consider the following questions:

  • Do you want to practice medicine or healthcare law?
  • Would you like to work in healthcare policy or intellectual property?
  • Do you have an interest in law education with an expertise in medicine?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then the dual MD/JD degree may be a good fit for you! As a student, you will cultivate knowledge of healthcare policies, intellectual property in biotechnology, legal counseling in healthcare, and public service. Preparing years in advance for the MD/JD applications is not the only challenge–dual degree programs do not shorten either degree and require rotations in both fields. To decide if this is the right path for you, it is recommended that you have experience shadowing or working in both healthcare and law, or in a potential career sector that the MD/JD dual degree will prepare you for.

What medical schools offer MD-JD degrees?

Here is a list of all the medical schools that offer MD/JD degrees: 

Further reading

Interested in other dual degree programs? Check out:

BS-MD Programs – The Ultimate Guide and How to Get in 2023

MD-MPH Dual Degree Programs List and Information 2023

MD-MBA Programs List and How to Get In 2023

Useful Websites for Premeds

The advent of technology has changed nearly every industry. From smart cars to smart phones, our world will never be the same. As we navigate our new modern world, we can’t help but feel nostalgia for the past. Our ancestors were intelligent and they read physical...

15 White Coat Ceremony Gift Guide – [2023 edition]

If you were invited to a white coat ceremony, congratulations! This is a momentous occasion for your loved one to receive his/her/their first white coat and commit to a lifelong career in medicine. Even if you just attended your loved one’s graduation from a...

Ion Names – A List of Common Monatomic and Polyatomic Ions

This article discusses ionic nomenclature and common ion names for both monatomic and polyatomic ions and includes a list for reference. What is an ion? Before we discuss common ion names, let's talk about what an ion is. An ion is an electrically charged atom or...

Update Letter Medical School Guide, Examples and Templates

In this update letter medical school guide, we show you how to write a great letter that can get you off the waitlist and into the entering medical school class. How to write an update letter for medical school admissions committees So you've been waitlisted by your...

Oxidative Phosphorylation Steps 

What is oxidative phosphorylation? Oxidative phosphorylation is the process by which cells produce ATP from glucose through a series of oxidation-reduction reactions and a proton gradient. The process occurs in the mitochondrial matrix and the mitochondrial...

Which Medical Schools are Graded? Which Rank Students?

Every medical school in the United States uses some form of grading policy to measure student performance. These systems can be complex, and it can be difficult to understand how your grades will impact your medical school career. However, it is important to take the...

MD-PhD Dual Degree Programs List and Information in 2023

An MD-PhD is a dual doctorate of medicine degree that offers students full tuition coverage for both degrees. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about MD-PhD programs. Table of Contents What is an MD-PhD degree? How long does the MD-PhD degree...

67 Undergraduate Premed Scholarships – 2023 Updated List

Are you a premed student that needs help paying for college? Check out our list of 67 undergraduate premed scholarships! Read on. College is expensive and it's hard to find ways to pay for it. Every day, students like you have to make tough decisions about how to pay...

How to Get Shadowing Experience as a Premed

If you want to gain exposure to medicine but don’t have the time commitment to take on a full-time job, shadowing is a great way to show admissions boards that you are invested in medicine. In addition, you can give yourself the chance to determine whether the...

7 Ways to Force Yourself to Stay In and Study When You Have Zero Motivation

Exam season is coming up. Consequently, you have to dedicate the next few days to studying. The only problem is you’d rather do anything but study. Maybe the class you are studying for is not particularly interesting. Maybe you rather be socializing with...