J.D./M.S. in Biotechnology

The School of Law offers a joint program leading to the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Science (M.S.) in Biotechnology. The dual-degree program is designed principally for the student with an interest in medical or agricultural areas of practice utilizing a knowledge of biotechnology in the practice of law.

The dual-degree candidate must choose to pursue both degrees by the end of the fourth semester in law school and must meet admission requirements for the second degree. Typically, if all prerequisites are met, both degree programs can be finished within three to four years.

The M.S. degree is offered through either the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry or the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Students interested in the plant and animal focus pursue the JD/TTU curriculum.  Students interested in the medical focus pursue the JD/TTUHSC curriculum. Students must apply to both the Law School and either the Graduate School or HSC, depending on the degree plan chosen, and be accepted by both schools. No graduate curriculum in this area can be pursued before entering Law School.

A candidate for the J.D./M.S. in Biotechnology may credit up to 12 non-law hours of approved courses toward the J.D. degree, and 12 law hours may be credited toward the M.S. degree. These transfers are of credit hours, not grades. Students must meet the admission requirements for both the Law School and Graduate School. Both the Graduate School and the Health Sciences Center will accept the LSAT in lieu of the GRE or GMAT exam.

J.D./TTU Curriculum 

Plant and Animal Focus

J.D./M.S. in Biotechnology Curriculum

 

J.D./TTUHSC Curriculum

Medical Focus

J.D./M.S. TTUHSC in Biotechnology Curriculum

 

J.D./M.S. Program Contacts

Law Faculty Advisor:

Dr. Victoria Sutton. M.P.A., Ph.D., J.D.
Paul Whitfield Horn Professor
Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development
Director, Center for Biodefense, Law and Public Policy
Phone: (806) 834-1752
vickie.sutton@ttu.edu

TTU Faculty Advisor:

Dr. Jatindra Tripathy, Ph.D., M.B.A.
Graduate Advisor of the MS Biotechnology Program
Phone: (806) 742-3788
jatindra.n.tripathy@ttu.edu 

TTUHSC Faculty Advisor:

Dr. Kari Wood Dickson, Ph.D.
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Phone: (806) 743-2946
kari.dickson@ttuhsc.edu