Saint Louis University is well-established as a leader in the study of health law. For students in the Juris Doctor (J.D.) program, which is the typical three-year first degree in law, electives make up most of the second and third year of study. The 10 credits needed to receive the certificate in Healthcare Law can be used to fulfill this requirement.
Some of the health-care-related course offerings include Biotechnology Law, Disability Discrimination Law and Healthcare Finance and Business Planning. Students who wish to earn the certificate along with their J.D. degree must also complete a substantial paper on some aspect of health care law and complete a supervised internship in the field. For students who already have a J.D., Saint Louis also offers a Master of Law in Health Law that typically can be completed in one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study.
Saint Louis University School of Law
3700 Lindell Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-977-2766
law.slu.edu
The Baltimore campus of the University of Maryland is home to the second-ranked health care law program for 2010. Students earning their J.D. can also earn the Health Law Certificate by successfully completing 17 credits of course work in the subject, including a required practical work experience.
In the past, students have completed health care law-related externships in such prestigious places as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Johns Hopkins Health System and the U.S. Senate. Other students work with agencies on tobacco control issues through the law school's Legal Resource Center for Tobacco Regulation, Litigation & Advocacy.
For lawyers looking to further their education, Maryland also offers an LL.M. with a concentration in Health Law. Students in the LL.M. program work with their adviser to plan an individualized program of study, which can include classes such as Mental Disability Law, Legal and Policy Issues in End of Life Care and Medical Malpractice: Claims, Defense and Litigation.
University of Maryland
School of Law
500 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-7214
law.umaryland.edu
Case Western Reserve University, located in Cleveland, Ohio, ranks third in the "U.S. News & World Report" 2010 rankings. Students in the J.D. program who wish to earn a concentration in Health Law must earn 15 credits in the subject, up to nine of which can be in electives such as biotechnology law and policy, health care organizations and finance and reproductive rights.
There are also several dual degree options where students can simultaneously earn their J.D. and a second degree. The highly ranked Case School of Medicine sponsors dual degrees in medicine, bioethics, public health and biochemistry in conjunction with the Case School of Law, and dual degrees in social work and management with health emphases are also offered through other schools at the university. Additionally, a certificate in Health Law is also offered to graduates of foreign law schools who enroll in Case's LL.M. program.
Case Western Reserve University
School of Law
11075 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
216-368-2083
law.case.edu