The following is the suggested path for completing the MD/JD combined degree. The typical MD/JD student will not follow this exact path, but it is the preferred program of study.
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Year 1 | Law curriculum 12 hours, 4 courses 11 weeks, mid May to early Aug |
||
| YEAR 1 | Law Student Curriculum 15 hours, 5 courses 15 weeks, Aug to Dec |
Law Student Curriculum 13-16 hours 15 weeks, Jan to May |
Law Student Curriculum 6 or 12 hours 5 or 11 weeks mid May to end June or end June to early Aug or mid May to early Aug |
| YEAR 2 | Medical Student Curriculum 19 hours, 5 courses 17 weeks, Aug to Dec |
Medical Student Curriculum 19 hours, 4 courses 17 weeks, Jan to May |
Choose from: 2nd year Law electives – same options as previous summer Law externship – may earn up to 6 hours credit MECO (clinical experience at an Iowa hospital) Free summer |
| YEAR 3 | Medical Student Curriculum 20 hours, 4 courses 17 weeks, Aug to Dec |
Medical Student Curriculum 20 hours, 3 courses 17 weeks, Jan to May |
Step 1 United States Medical Licensing Exam mid June ~2 weeks vacation after exam |
| YEAR 4 | Medical Student Curriculum 24 weeks clinical clerkships June to Dec |
Medical Student Curriculum 24 weeks clinical clerkships Jan to June |
Law Student Curriculum 6 hours, 5 weeks end of June to early Aug |
| YEAR 5 | Law Student Curriculum 15 hours of electives 15 weeks, Aug to Dec |
Law Student Curriculum 15 hours of electives 15 weeks, Jan to May |
Bar Exam prep course & Bar Exam (take exam last Mon-Wed of July) end May to end July |
| YEAR 6 | Medical Student Curriculum August to May 32 weeks of clinical clerkships or 20 weeks if using 12 hrs from JD 2 parts of Step 2 US Medical Licensing Exam MD and JD degrees conferred mid-May |
Usually begin medical residency training | |
Graduation requirements:
College of Law – 78 hours plus 12 hours awarded for M.D. work = 90 semester hours required for JD.
Contact the College of Law at 319-335-9095, law-joint-degree@uiowa.edu
College of Medicine – 151 semester hours plus 12 semester hours awarded for JD work = 163 semester hours required for M.D.
Contact Damien Ihrig, Carver College of Medicine, 319-335-8046, damien-ihrig@uiowa.edu