Joint-Degree Programs - Center for Law, Health & Society - College of Law

Joint Degrees Offered

"Legal education today must recognize the growing importance of interdisciplinary study and the intersection of law and other disciplines and professions. The Center’s health law program advances this vision in numerous ways and provides important opportunities for students and scholars to collaborate with the University, our metropolitan community and with partners across the academy.” - Steven J. Kaminshine, Dean, College of Law

Importance of interdisciplinary education

Graduate students in law and business may pursue joint degrees in law and health administration through a collaborative program between Georgia State’s College of Law and J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Students may obtain concurrently both a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in law and either one of the following business degrees: (1) a Master of Science in Health Administration (MSHA), or (2) a Master of Business Administration / Master of Health Administration (MBA / MHA).

Students may use credit hours earned in one degree program to satisfy some of the elective course requirements of the other degree program, thus permitting students to earn both degrees in a shorter time than would be possible pursuing both degrees separately.

Why Enroll in a Joint-Degree Program?

In recent years, health care has become the subject of rapidly expanding legal and regulatory attention at the national, state, and local levels. Leadership positions in the health care field increasingly require expertise in both law and business. In order for attorneys to effectively serve their private or public sector health care clients, they must understand the multifaceted and often unique aspects of health care organizations as well as systems for the delivery and financing of health care. Similarly, health care administrators must understand the complex and ever-changing legal and regulatory environment in which their enterprises operate.

Admission to the Joint-Degree Program

Candidates are admitted separately to the College of Law and the College of Business. While there is some opportunity to enroll in the joint program after admission to only one of the Colleges, it is limited to students who have not proceeded too far in that College's program. Candidates are thus encouraged to apply to the JD and MSHA or MBA / MHA programs simultaneously. For additional admissions information, please send inquiries to:

At the College of Law:

Cheryl George, Ed.D.,
Director of Admissions
Georgia State University
College of Law Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 4049
Atlanta, GA 30302-4049
Telephone: 404.413.9004
E-mail | Website

At the Robinson College of Business:

Graduate Admissions & Student Services
Robinson College of Business
P.O. Box 3988
Atlanta, GA 30302-3988

Telephone: 404.413.7130
E-mail | Website

Faculty Advisors

Students enrolled in the joint-degree programs will have faculty advisors at both the College of Law and the Robinson College of Business who are active in the field of health law and health administration to assist them with advice, scheduling, and curriculum decisions. These faculty advisors will work closely with the program coordinators to ensure that students are making appropriate progress toward the completion of the joint degree requirements and to help students tailor their choices to meet their individual needs.

Charity Scott
Professor of Law
Director, Center for Law, Health & Society
Georgia State University College of Law
P.O. Box 4037
Atlanta, GA 30302-4037

On Site: Urban Life 455
Telephone: 404.413.9183
E-mail: cscottgsu.edu

Andrew T. Sumner
Joe Taylor Chair in Health Administration
Director, Institute of Health Administration
J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Georgia State University
P.O.Box 3988
Atlanta, GA 30302-3988

On Site: Office 1420, RCB Building
35 Broad Street N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303
Telephone: 404.413.7634
E-mail: asumnergsu.edu

Program Coordinators

For the purposes of coordinating, monitoring, and reviewing this joint-degree program, the Director of the Institute of Health Administration at the Robinson College of Business and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the College of Law will serve as Program Coordinators.

College of Law Information