Attorneys who specialize in medical law deal with medical malpractice, managed care, health-care delivery and the discovery of medical advances. Attorneys who want to practice health and medical law may pursue a combined Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Public Health, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) or a Doctor of Juridical Sciences (SJD or JSD).
Medical Law Degrees
Students who desire a career in medical law should pursue a dual degree in law and public health. Known as a Juris Doctor/Master of Public Health (JD/MPH) degree, students take classes in law and public health, preparing them for a career as both a lawyer and a health expert. Students who want to specialize in medical law but do not want an MPH can pursue their Master of Laws. While not a master's degree, an LL.M provides expertise in a specialized field of law, and can be obtained through a one-year program, versus the two years it takes to acquire an MPH. The highest degree obtainable in law, a Doctor of Juridical Sciences, requires completion of both a JD and LL.M before entering a JSD program.
Admission Requirements
For students to enroll in a JD/MPH program they must first be accepted into a university's law and public health programs. Prior to applying, students need to possess a bachelor's degree in a related field, take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), obtain letters of recommendation and complete any required admission essay. Students may also be required to complete the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) as part of the public health program's admission process.
Employment and Salary Expectations
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the field of law is expected to grow 18 percent from 2008 to 2018. Current expansion of health-related fields could increase opportunities for individuals possessing their JD/MPH. As of May 2008, the median yearly salary for attorneys was $110,590, with the top 25 percent earning over $163,320 annually and the bottom 25 percent earning under $74,980, according to the BLS.
Other Degrees
Students who wish to practice both medicine and law must obtain their Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Juris Doctor degrees. After completing their MD coursework, students who wish to practice medicine must complete their residency at a hospital to obtain their license. A two-year residency is required in most states in order to establish an independent practice. Students who obtain their JD must successfully pass the Bar exam before practicing law in any state.
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