Offered at a variety of respected U.S. institutions, dual degrees in nursing and law are becoming more common as attorneys understand and work toward the need to integrate nursing knowledge into their specialty, particularly that of malpractice and disability suits. Because nursing and law are so different, you as a prospective student will have to ensure that you meet the criteria for both degrees.
University of Maryland School of Law
The University of Maryland School of Law offers comprehensive dual degrees, with one degree in law and the other in your choice of specialty. If you opt for a dual degree in law and nursing, you will need to fulfill both entry criteria, allowing you to share electives from both the School of Nursing and the School of Law. The dual-degree option available at this institution is the Juris Doctor (J.D.)/Master of Science (M.S.) program. Hence, you can earn a J.D. in law and an M.S. in nursing. Apart from the fact that holding a dual degree is usually a more lucrative career decision, it also costs less than it would to earn these degrees separately.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania provides unmatched dual degrees in nursing and law, according to its website. This dual degree in nursing and law is arranged thus by the School of Nursing and Penn Law School: you can first complete your undergraduate degree in nursing as you begin taking courses in law. This submatriculation program will take a total of six years to complete, after which you'll hold a dual degree in nursing and law (J.D./M.S.). UPenn offers a comprehensive program in nursing and law from which you can undoubtedly benefit, either as a nurse aspiring to become an attorney or vice versa.
Capital University; Columbus, Ohio
At Capital University, a dual degree in law and nursing is available, but only as a Juris Doctor/Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.), which effectively integrates both specialties. This gives you the option to become an attorney who specializes in medical cases and malpractice suits, which is among the more lucrative routes a career in law can trace. The university's dual-degree program has been accredited by the American Bar Association and the Commission on College Nursing Education.
Considerations
With a dual degree in law and nursing under your belt, you leave yourself open to a wider variety of career choices, which makes it easier to either switch from law to nursing or vice versa, or integrate the two sciences into one path: specialized malpractice law. Few schools offer comprehensive dual degrees in law and nursing, so if you're considering it, look to UPenn, Capital University or the University of Maryland.
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