August 21, 2024
New M.Jur./M.P.H. degree launches Spring 2025, following new St. Mary’s B.S. in Public Health this fall
St. Mary’s University and the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health today announced the launch of a new and unique dual degree program that allows students to simultaneously complete a Master of Jurisprudence (M.Jur.) and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.).
This dual degree builds on the J.D./M.P.H. degree the two institutions announced earlier this year, which will begin in Fall 2025. St. Mary’s University also launched a new B.S. in Public Health this Fall 2024 semester.
M.Jur./M.P.H. Program fills critical need
The innovative M.Jur./M.P.H. program will begin admitting students for the Spring 2025 semester. It is the first of its kind in Texas and the only degree program in Texas certified by the Compliance Certification Board.
“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,” said Shannon Sevier (J.D. ’07, M.P.A. ’21), Assistant Dean of Graduate Law Programs at the St. Mary’s University School of Law.
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 M.Jur./M.P.H. dual degree is a rare combination of degrees, currently offered at only a few universities in the nation, Sevier said.
“In today’s complex legal and regulatory landscape, these fields are increasingly intertwined,” she said. “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.”
Understanding law and public health
Both the M.Jur./M.P.H. and the J.D./M.P.H. programs offer unique benefits, and students can pick based on the type of career they hope to pursue. A Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree is required for practicing law in most states, while a Master of Jurisprudence 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 School of Law 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, J.D., 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 career paths in high-impact fields, Roberts said.
“Graduates may pursue roles in health policy development, working with government agencies or nonprofit 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, Ph.D., Professor and Regional Dean at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health located in San Antonio, said good candidates for the M.Jur./M.P.H. 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.
Undergraduate public health education
St. Mary’s offers two public health academic credit-based opportunities at the undergraduate level — a 12-credit online certificate and a newly launched B.S. degree in Public Health.
Public health is about community health that includes promoting, protecting and improving health for entire populations to advance healthy, just and sustainable societies, said Janet Armitage, Ph.D., St. Mary’s Professor of Sociology and Director of Public Health Programs.
“At its core, public health centers on the principles of justice and equity and fosters the practice of reducing human suffering,” Armitage said. “These principles are reflected in the Characteristics of Marianist Education to educate in family spirit and for service, justice and peace.”
Students interested in the new M.Jur./M.P.H program can contact UTHealth Houston School of Public Health admissions staff for more information at 210-276-9015 or SPHAdmissions@uth.tmc.edu.