JD/MPH

The dual degree through Tufts and Boston College Law School can be completed in three and a half years, rather than the average five years if the degrees were to be obtained separately. A carefully sequenced curriculum allows some law school courses to count for credit in both programs.

What courses will I need to take?

Students must complete courses addressing the MPH core knowledge requirements, one research methods course, one course on health care budgeting and management and the Applied Learning Experience. The ALE requires students to synthesize knowledge acquired in coursework and apply it to a public health project of their own design involving at least 160 hours of practicum work.

How do I apply?

Students may apply to the JD/MPH dual degree program at the same time they apply to BC School of Law. Students should apply online to BC through LSAC. The Tufts application can be found at here. Law school recommendations may be used to apply to the Tufts MPH program but a separate Tufts personal statement is required. Students applying to the JD/MPH dual degree program do not need to take the GRE. Both applications must be submitted by March 15th.

The JD/MPH dual degree program also accepts applications during a student’s first or second year of law school and from students transferring to the law school. Admission into either school does not guarantee admission into the other program.

How can I get more information?

For program information view the flyer or contact Marcia.Boumil@tufts.edu. 

What would my course of study look like if I pursue a combined JD/MPH degree?

The dual degree through Tufts and Northeastern University School of Law can be completed in three and one-half years. Usually, after finishing their first year of law school and summer legal co-op, students begin their MPH work. (With permission, some students may opt to start at the end of their second year.) In the fall of their second year students take an official leave from Northeastern and enroll in the Tufts MPH program, paying tuition to Tufts. Of the 42 credits required for the MPH, 31.5 are taken at Tufts and 10.5 taken as approved courses at Northeastern. During the summer following their year-in-residence, students complete their Applied Learning Experience (ALE) and usually return to Northeastern for six quarters of course work and remaining co-op requirements. At the conclusion of the fall quarter of the fourth year, students are eligible to receive both degrees.

What courses will I need to take?

Students must complete courses addressing the MPH core knowledge requirements, one research methods course, one course on health care budgeting and management and the Applied Learning Experience. The ALE requires students to synthesize knowledge acquired in coursework and apply it to a public health project of their own design involving at least 160 hours of practicum work. Tufts and Northeastern have arranged a carefully sequenced curriculum for this program to allow selected courses to count for credit in both programs. The MPH in the program is a generalist degree. 

How do I apply?

• Simultaneous application to Tufts and Northeastern: Complete an online application to Tufts and a separate online application to Northeastern. Upon acceptance at Northeastern, the law school will forward the necessary materials to Tufts to complete the MPH application.
• Students applying while in law school: After receiving approval from Northeastern, complete an online application to Tufts by March 15th.

How can I get more information?

For program information view the flyer or contact Marcia.boumil@tufts.edu.  

Students graduating from the dual degree program take jobs in government, health care organizations, health care advocacy centers, private law practices, state departments of public health and a whole host of organizations which value their public health skills in additional to their legal training.

Final Deadline: March 15th

Deposit: None

We offer two different ways to apply to the JD/MPH:

1.)    Apply to law school and the MPH at the same time:

After you have submitted your application, PHPD Admissions will hold your application until we are notified by BCLS or NUSL that you have been admitted to their JD program. Your application will not be reviewed by the PHPD Public Health Admissions Committee until after you have been admitted to NUSL/BCLS.

2.)    Apply the MPH while enrolled in law school:

If you are already enrolled at BCLS or NUSL, you are able to apply to the JD/MPH dual-degree track during your first or second year of law school, or upon transfer to BCLS or NUSL.

You must obtain the approval of BCLS or NUSL to apply to the JD/MPH program. Admission to law school does not guarantee admission to the MPH program.

Academic Requirements

College Biology, or its equivalent, is a prerequisite to graduate from our MPH program. Students who have not met this requirement will normally be expected to take such a course by the end of their first fall semester. As Tufts MPH students, the 0.5 credit Public Health Biology course offered each fall will satisfy this requirement. Enrolling at another college or university to take an undergraduate level biology course before the end of their first fall semester with us is also acceptable.

Application and Fee

• Application

• Application Fee: $70 (paid directly through the online application)

Please choose the "Master of Public Health, Combined Degrees". In the "Program Choice" menu of the application, select either BCLS or NUSL.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is intended to give you the opportunity to submit a narrative describing your past education, experience, and current professional career objectives. Your statement should describe your:

• reasons for interest in public health
• reasons for interest in the Public Health and Professional Degree programs at Tufts University
• career goals

BCSL or NUSL Admissions Materials

Northeastern University or Boston College will need to send the following information from your law school application to PHPD Admissions:

• Letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• LSAT Test Scores

If you are concurrently applying to Northeastern University or Boston College, you will need to request that their Admissions Office will send these documents to PHPD Admissions once you have been admitted to the JD program.

If you are a current JD student at Northeastern University or Boston College, you need to request the release of your admissions records through the Northeastern Office of Academic Affairs or Boston College Admissions Office. At the same time, you will need to request that your current law school transcript also be included in the packet of materials sent to PHPD Admissions, whether or not grades are posted.

All supporting application credentials noted above should be sent to: 

Tufts University School of Medicine
Public Health & Professional Degree Programs
Attn: Director of Admissions, Emily C. Keily
136 Harrison Avenue Suite 142
Boston, MA 02111

or emailed to med-phpd@tufts.edu.

The following tuition rates are for 2019 – 2020 academic year* and apply to students enrolled in the JD/MPH dual degree program starting in Fall 2019. Students enrolled in the JD/MPH dual degree programs will be billed by the Public Health and Professional Degree programs at Tufts for two semesters total at the tuition rate listed below. At current year tuition rates, this means the total tuition cost of the MPH program for JD/MPH students is $50,704.

The current academic year's cost of attendance budget (including not only tuition, but room and board, health insurance, books etc.) is available from the Office of Financial Aid.

* Tuition rates and fees are effective as of July 2019. Note that program cost is set each academic year (June to May) and typically increases a small amount from year-to-year. The Trustees of Tufts University reserve the right to change tuition rates or fees at their discretion.