The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, offers a dual Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)/Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
Hear from Arissa Falat, a former PharmD/JD student, describe her experience in the dual degree program.
About the PharmD/JD Dual Degree:
Graduates of the PharmD/JD program will be prepared for careers in a diverse range of health care and legal areas, such as consulting on health law issues and regulatory policy for government agencies, trade associations, and pharmaceutical companies. Areas that may be of interest to PharmD/JD dual degree students include biotechnology and patent law, food and drug law, health care for the elderly and poor, legal issues in managed care, law and mental health, biodiversity protection, and criminal enforcement of environmental law.
About the Application Process:
| PharmD/JD Key Information | |
|---|---|
| Format: | In-person |
| Extra costs: | Law courses |
| Extra time: | 2-3 years |
| Bachelor's required: | Yes or 120 credits |
| Exam required: | LSAT and/or GRE |
| Application process: | Apply first to PharmD program, then apply separately to JD program, often in P2 year |
| Potential career pathways: | Legislative analyst on health law issues, patent lawyer |
Students interested in the PharmD/JD dual degree program must apply first to the PharmD program. Once accepted and matriculated, students will apply separately to the JD program, often in their P2 year.
The JD program requires the completion of 85 credits, and the dual degree student will benefit from course substitutions that enable completion of both degrees in less time and for less money than if separately pursued. In addition, students can integrate both courses of study by completing practicum and externships that integrate both disciplines. The total time to complete both the JD and PharmD programs is generally six years, one year less than the time required to complete both programs independently.
To pursue the dual degree program, students will need to submit an application to the School of Law. The application typically opens on Sept. 1 and remains opening through the end of July, provided enrollment allows. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis.
For PharmD/JD Registration Questions:
-
Rebecca Hall
Managing Director of the Law & Health Care Program
University of Maryland Carey School of Law
Phone: 410-706-5369
Email: r.hall@law.umaryland.edu -
Leah Sera, PharmD, MA, BCPS
Associate Professor of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research
Associate Dean of Recruitment, Admissions, and Integration
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
Phone: 410-706-5268
Email: lsera@rx.umaryland.edu
Learn about the experience of Mena Gaballah, PharmD '18, JD '18, who completed the PharmD/JD dual degree program and became an intellectual property and health care associate.
Learn More