Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University has launched the healthcare law and administration emphasis within its Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program.
The new emphasis, which is available for students to pursue online, is a perfect fit for health care professionals interested in understanding the legal framework that governs the field’s operations, policies and patient care.
“We’ve had physicians inquire about taking courses at the law school for years, but after going through medical school and residency programs, another three years of law school through a JD program just isn’t feasible for many of them,” said Joey Dormady, assistant dean of graduate programs and new education initiatives at ASU Law.
Classes — several of which are brand-new to ASU Law — will touch on topics ranging from patient privacy (HIPAA) concerns, medical malpractice issues and end-of-life care decisions to protecting organizational financial stability and health care facility regulations.
The 30-credit degree program requires no entrance exam, but applicants must have a bachelor’s degree to be considered for admission.
“Law school isn’t just for lawyers,” Dormady said. “Health care administrators need a deeper understanding of the law to do their jobs. The curriculum designed for these administrators and physicians will fill a gap needed to support the growing need for health care.”
The current MLS degree emphasis in corporate and health care compliance is accredited by the Corporate Compliance Board, which is the certification body for professional organizations like the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) and the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA).
The new emphasis will add to ASU Law’s robust health law offerings and address additional health care issues, like the rising costs of medical litigation and breaches of duty insurance premiums, to drive down medical care costs for the community.
