The suggested course of study for JD/MD students is as follows:
- Years One and Two: in residence at the Perelman School of Medicine
- Years Three and Four: in residence at University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
- Year Five: in residence at the Law School in the Fall; in residence at the Perelman School of Medicine in the Spring (Student would graduate the Law School)
- Year Six: in residence at the Perelman School of Medicine (Student would graduate Perelman School of Medicine)
Other sequencing options may be available on an ad hoc basis.
In order for a student to receive both degrees, he or she must complete the independent degree requirements of each program. For JD requirements, please see the Law School’s Degree Requirements. For MD requirements, please see the Perelman School’s admissions website.
Each school will make its own determinations as to which courses/credits from the sister school will count towards their degree with the goal of maximizing the interdisciplinary nature of the joint degree. The Law School will count up to four courses/credit hours (evaluated on a case-by-case basis) taken at the Perelman School of Medicine towards the JD. The Perelman School of Medicine will accept the JD degree as fulfillment of the Scholarly Pursuit requirement towards the MD.
Joint degree students must also satisfy the requirements of the Law School’s Public Interest Center’s Pro Bono Program and fulfill their law senior writing and professional responsibility requirements.
The student will be awarded each degree as it is completed.
Students are billed law tuition in semesters where they are in residence at the Law School and School of Medicine tuition is billed when the student is in residence at the School of Medicine.
Financial aid decisions are made independently by each school.
Because students who pursue this joint degree may be in residence at the Law School for fewer than the six semesters of a typical JD student, any Penn Carey Law scholarship or loan will be determined proportionately (and if the student applies to the joint degree after matriculation at the Law School, their Law School grants or loans will have to be reassessed).
Candidates for the JD/MD apply separately to the Law School and the Perelman School of Medicine. Because most students will spend their first two years at the Perelman School of Medicine, you may submit their JD application concurrently with your MD application or you may apply for the JD during the Fall of your first or second year in the School of Medicine.
The MCAT will be required for the Perelman School of Medicine application. Applicants for the Law School may take the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT.
For more information, admitted or current JD students should contact Amanda S. Aronoff. Applicants or prospective applicants to the Law School should contact contactadmissions@law.upenn.edu.