New dual degree program offering MJur/MPH enrolling students for Spring 2025 in collaboration with St. Mary's University School of Law

The UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio are pleased to announce the beginning of a new and unique dual degree program that allows students to simultaneously complete a Master of Jurisprudence (MJur) and Master of Public Health (MPH).

This innovative program will begin admitting students for the spring 2025 semester, and is the first of its kind in Texas, as well as the only degree program in Texas certified by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB).

Combining the two degrees allows students to graduate within just two to three years, as the dual degree program requires a total of 57 credits, significantly less than the 75 credit hours required for pursuing the degrees separately.

The MJur/MPH dual degree is a rare combination of degrees, currently offered at only a few universities in the nation, according to Shannon Sevier, JD, assistant dean of graduate law programs at St. Mary’s University School of Law.

"This program represents a natural marriage of public health and advocacy, driven by the critical need to enhance both access to health and access to law,” Sevier said. “In today’s complex legal and regulatory landscape, these fields are increasingly intertwined. This program is a testament to our vision of developing well-rounded professionals who can bridge the gap between law, public health, and policy, ensuring better outcomes for communities and individuals alike."

The launch of this dual degree program is the second big collaboration between the two universities, after the announcement earlier this year of a new JD/MPH program with St Mary's. Both new dual-degree programs offer unique benefits, and students can pick based on the type of career they hope to pursue. A juris doctor (JD) degree is required for practicing law in most states, while an MJur degree is for students who will not become lawyers, but want to gain a deeper understanding of legal concepts.

"This dual degree program will combine the strengths of St. Mary's University Law School and UTHealth Houston to train professionals who can navigate the intersection of law and public health in solving increasingly complex problems in both fields," said Patricia Roberts, JD, Dean of St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Graduates with a dual degree in public health and law will be prepared for a wide range of different career paths in high impact fields, Roberts said.  

“Graduates may pursue roles in health policy development, working with government agencies or non-profit organizations to shape legislation that improves public health outcomes,” Roberts said. “Graduates could also go on to roles in public health advocacy, bioethics, or even specialized legal practice focusing on health law and policy."

Jack Tsai, PhD, professor and regional dean at the school of public health in San Antonio, said good candidates for the MJur/MPH dual degree might be students who want flexibility in pursuing areas of both law and public health. This newest collaboration gives students that freedom and builds on the already solid relationship between the two institutions, Tsai said.

“St. Mary’s is a major institution in San Antonio, and we’ve had a great partnership in our accelerated master’s program for their undergraduate students, so we’re excited about the new partnership with their law school,” Tsai said. “San Antonio is a growing city, and this would be the first such dual degree in the city and in the state.”

 Roberts said graduates of this program will be uniquely positioned to become leaders and advocates in public health.

"By offering this dual degree, we're not just providing an educational opportunity; we're empowering future leaders who will be at the forefront of addressing critical societal issues," Roberts said.

Students interested in the new dual degree program can contact school of public health admissions staff for more information at (210) 276-9015 or [email protected].