Health Law for Health Professionals
Graduate Certificate
Master the fundamentals of laws and regulations in health care
Program Overview
The 100% online Graduate Certificate in Health Law for Health Professionals:
- 12 credit units, with four courses at three credit units each, which can be completed in less than eight months
- Free to apply
- No admissions test required
- Units earned may be applied to a Master of Legal Studies degree
- You may take one course (three credit units) from any of the courses offered in the three other Graduate Certificates in Health Law, including Regulatory Science, Aging Law & Policy and Health Information Privacy, Compliance, and Data Security.
This program is designed for individuals who do not wish to practice law, but regularly encounter legal and ethical issues in their health care professions. The certificate provides a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of how laws and regulations operate within health care organizations, business arrangements with insurers and providers, delivery of care, and scope of practice.
Curriculum
Students may select any four courses out of the current list.
Explore moral questions faced by health care professionals. What rights and responsibilities come with the role of a health care provider? Should the provider always disclose the full truth about a diagnosis?
Become familiar with the different models for how healthcare is organized and delivered through the licensure and accreditation process. The regulatory requirements for employment at health facilities through medical staff membership will also be covered. The course concludes with an in-depth focus on compliance requirements and privacy protection with advances in health technology, including health information exchanges.
This course is available to undergraduates as Law 478A.
Acquire a fundamental understanding of the financial management and regulatory issues in the health law field, specifically related to reimbursement, Medicare and Medicaid, and federal laws governing fraud and abuse. Course also covers long- term care, in terms of planning, financing, and placement.
This course is available to undergraduates as Law 479B.
Gain an overview of the scope of practice licensing and compliance requirements that govern health professionals, along with training in the role of expert witnesses in litigation from the deposition process to trial. Administrative, criminal and civil processes for non-compliance will also be covered.
This course is available to undergraduates as Law 480A.
This course examines the constitutional underpinnings of public health interventions. In addition, students will learn about the respective roles of local, state, tribal, and federal governments with respect to public health, and reflect on the balance between individual rights and governmental interests in protecting the public’s health.
“If you are looking for a Graduate Program that almost feels tailored to your exact needs, support from a dedicated staff, and an education experience that will challenge you to think at the next level, then it’s time to BEAR DOWN and consider the University of Arizona!”
Michael Arce, MBA
Alumnus, Graduate Certificate in Health Law for Health Professionals
Why I chose to study Health Law at Arizona Law
What impressed me from the beginning is that the University of Arizona is ranked as one of the Best Law Schools (U.S. News and World Reports). The factors that led to my decision to choose the U of A were the structure of the classes and semesters, the affordability, and the amazing personal service I received from the staff at the James E. Rogers College of Law who answered every question. I felt a real connection, that the U of A was invested in my success as a student, professional, and person.
What I learned from the experience
Fellow learners and I shared similar experiences of being able to take course learning and immediately apply it your professional work.
During my time at the U of A, I was employed by McDermott Will & Emery as an Industry Marketing Manager. My role was to partner with our health policy consultants in Washington, DC to advance the legislative and regulatory missions for our clients and healthcare stakeholders. There were several instances during my graduate studies work where I would be in a meeting with our policy team, where they would be discussing or outlining a strategy on a specific regulation, like Telehealth flexibilities, where I felt better engaged in the conversation due to recent class work in that area. And this is saying a lot when you work with colleagues with Congressional experience, were former directors of healthcare benefit marketplaces, or literally wrote portions of the Affordable Care Act.
Why I recommend it for other mid-career healthcare professionals
There is a wide variety of classes, and I was consistently impressed with the selection of focus areas that are relevant and up to date. The semesters are structured so that you can focus on one course per marking period, instead of trying to carry two classes in different subjects during the same term. And the kicker for me was, everything is online. This includes the learning resources: no textbooks! You get a variety of research readings, professional journals, YouTube videos, and even instructor recorded videos, delivered on a timeline that allows you to schedule your study time.