The changing health care market has resulted in higher demand within the health care industry for qualified legal advice and representation. Health law is a dynamic field that deals with issues such as access to health care, medical malpractice, relationships between patients and providers, bioethics, biomedical research, the regulation of drugs and devices and public health matters. Attorneys with this legal background can work in a variety of capacities and can assist physicians, hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, insurers, employers and patients navigate health care laws and regulations.
Courses
| CODE | TITLE | UNITS |
|---|---|---|
| LWGC 523 | Health Law Policy | 3 |
| LWPP 510 | Administrative Law* | 4 |
| LWGC 578 | Health Care Reform* | 3 |
| LWGC 534 | Health Law and Bioethics* | 3 |
| LWGC 536 | Health Law and Reproduction* | 3 |
| LWGC 577 | Medical Malpractice* | 2 |
| LWPP 545 | Mental Health Law* | 3 |
*Only two of LWPP 510, LWGC 578, LWGC 534, LWGC 536, LWGC 577, and LWPP 545 must be taken.
Opportunities in Health Law
- Hands-On Experience
- Student Organizations
- Health Law Faculty
Employers are looking for experience. Students benefit from the USD School of Law's many nationally recognized clinics and centers that provide hands-on legal training while attending law school.
Requirements for JD Concentration in Health Law
- Total required credits: 18
- To attain this concentration, students must successfully complete all core courses and a sufficient number of credits from the approved electives to reach a minimum of 18 credits.
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA): 2.2
- The minimum cumulative GPA required to obtain the concentration will be based on an average of grades received in courses eligible for concentration credit.
- Recognition: Certificate and transcript notation
- Application Process: JD concentration applications must be submitted no later than the applicable deadline stated below. Concentration applications are evaluated after all grades for the graduation term are finalized and JD degrees are officially conferred. Applicants will be notified of the status of their concentration application via email once evaluations are complete.
| Graduation Month | Concentration Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| May | May 1 of graduation year |
| August | August 1 of graduation year |
| December | December 1 of graduation year |