The College of Public Hea1th of the University of South Florida (USF), and Stetson University College of Law (Stetson) have entered into an agreement whereby Stetson will issue a Juris Doctor degree (JD), and USF will issue a Masters Degree of Public Health (MPH), for students satisfying specified requirements at both institutions. This program will admit students beginning with the 2007-2008 academic year. Both institutions are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and approved to award the MPH and JD degrees respectively.
Description of Program:
To be accepted to the dual-degree program, students must meet all requirements of both institutions. Students will be able to complete the program within four years.
Students in the program will be permitted to count up to twelve hours of academic credit from the MPH programs towards the satisfaction of JD elective credit, and up to twelve hours of credit from the JD Program towards satisfaction of MPH credit requirements. All courses credited in this fashion need to be approved by the Academic Deans of both institutions. The program will contain a feature whereby the mandatory "field experience" in the MPH program, will also qualify to satisfy the mandatory pro bono requirement of the JD program.
Students in the program will usually complete either one or two years of law school, after which they will spend a year studying at USF. After completing their MPH study, students will return to Stetson to complete their law studies.
Goals of Program and Intended Audience:
The goal of the dual-degree is to increase opportunities for interdisciplinary research, teaching and advocacy between Stetson and USF, and afford students at both institutions additional opportunities for career development.
A student who chooses to attain both the MPH and JD degrees separately will study for 5 years to earn both degrees. Candidates for the dual-degree program will be able to complete the requirements of both degrees within 4 years of study. Students enrolled in the program will be able to integrate their studies so that candidates will have a foundation in both disciplines prior to completing study in either program.
The program envisions a student applying for both programs at the same time, although admitted USF and Stetson students can also apply.
Stetson University College of Law
1401 61st Street South Gulfport, Florida 33707-3299 727-562-7800
Tampa Law Center
1700 North Tampa Street Tampa, Florida 33602 Stetson University - DeLand
Gulfport, Florida 33707-3299