Is there a way to attend both law school and medical school?
I am interested in both law and medicine, and I am looking for a way to pursue both interests. I have heard of people who have done both; however, I am unsure of how to go about this so any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. #lawschool #medicalschool
3 answers
Samantha’s Answer
Abby, joint JD/MD programs are certainly one way to pursue both law and medicine. However, whether you should actually pursue a joint JD/MD program really depends on your specific interests. This US News & World Report article lists some the specific careers for JD/MD students .
https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/articles/2016-10-04/3-types-of-students-who-should-consider-a-joint-md-degree
There are also alternatives that would allow you to combine medical and legal interests without pursuing both an MD and JD. There are lawyers who specialize in health care or medicine related areas. These include attorneys who work for hospitals, medical malpractice attorneys, and healthcare compliance attorneys. You do not need an MD to pursue these careers. (I work in Career Services for a large law school, by way of background.)
Taking undergraduate law or medicine classes classes, shadowing or volunteering at a hospital, and interning for a legal organization , these are all ways you can gain exposure to the medical and legal field. Ideally, you want some exposure to these fields before making a decision about graduate school.
I hope this is helpful!
Richard’s Answer
Jennifer’s Answer
There are joint MD/JD programs in the US: https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/medical-school-admissions-doctor/articles/2016-10-04/3-types-of-students-who-should-consider-a-joint-md-degree. This article discusses the pros and cons of pursuing one of these programs.
There are more than two dozen schools that offer the JD/MD joint program: http://law-schools.startclass.com/d/e/JD-_-_-MD. Explore the possibilities!
Good luck with your search and your educational endeavors!
joint-programs JD/MD