Exiting the Silo: The JD-MPH Dual Degree at the University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma College of Public Health offers a dual degree program with the College of Law.  Since its inception, interest has swelled and waned, and this poster will explain some of the difficulties experienced, the resulting organizational requirements, and the successes celebrated.  

Difficulties Experienced
- Separate campuses
- 30 miles between the two colleges
- different campuses – different organizational structures, cultures, fees, electronic learning platforms, email addresses, class times
- absence of prior faculty interaction
- Coordination
- curricular changes
- academic and career advising
- expectations on course waivers

Requirements
- Coordination and collaboration
- class schedules
- degree requirements
- summer placements
- streamlining of fees
- supportive administration
- approval from university and state regents

Successes
- 100% post-graduation placement
-  Summer placements at Quantico, State Health Department, nationally-known law firms, and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical
- Increased geographic footprint of applicants
- from Washington DC, Louisiana, South Carolina (expansion from Texas and Oklahoma)
- Increased interest has created opportunity for previously unavailable course offering that pairs public health and law students in cross-listed course about public health law.