Wake Forest University will offer a joint Juris Doctor (JD) and Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree program beginning in the fall, the university announced this week. The program allows students to earn both degrees in just one additional year of study beyond the standard three-year law school track.
The new offering is designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles in the increasingly complex intersection of law and healthcare. Students will complete the traditional law school curriculum alongside specialized coursework in health administration, covering topics such as healthcare finance, policy, and management. The program aims to attract students from diverse academic backgrounds, not solely those with prior healthcare experience.
Wake Forest’s initiative comes as the demand for professionals with expertise in both law and healthcare continues to grow. The program’s structure allows students to build upon their legal education with a focused understanding of the business and administrative aspects of the healthcare industry.
The launch of the JD/MHA program builds on existing partnerships between Wake Forest and other institutions. Recently, a graduate of Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) became one of the first students to enter Wake Forest’s law school through a new partnership designed to broaden access to legal education. This collaboration, and the new joint degree program, reflect Wake Forest’s commitment to expanding its academic offerings and fostering interdisciplinary learning.
Wake Forest University has also recently announced a tuition-free policy for admitted students from North Carolina families earning less than $200,000. This financial aid initiative is intended to build a Wake Forest education accessible to a wider range of students, potentially increasing the diversity of applicants for both the law school and the new joint degree program. The university has emphasized its focus on student belonging, citing research that demonstrates a strong correlation between a sense of belonging and degree completion.
University officials have not yet announced specific admission requirements or application deadlines for the JD/MHA program beyond the standard law school application process. Further details regarding curriculum specifics and faculty appointments are expected in the coming months.
