Program Overview

Introduction to the Online Master of Legal Studies in Healthcare Law

The online Master of Legal Studies in Healthcare Law is a 32-credit-hour program designed for professionals whose work intersects with healthcare delivery, access, quality, liability, operations, organization, or finance. This degree equips non-lawyers with essential knowledge of the complex and rapidly evolving civil, criminal, and administrative laws that shape the healthcare landscape.

Program Details

• Duration: 15+ months
• Credit Hours: 32
• Time Commitment: 10 to 20 hours weekly
• Start Dates: Fall, Spring, & Summer

Program Outcomes

The OU College of Law’s MLS in Healthcare Law program delivers a comprehensive legal foundation across the most pressing issues facing healthcare organizations today. You will:

• Analyze key federal and state statutes, regulations, government advisory opinions, judicial decisions, and health policy initiatives
• Explore the evolution of healthcare regulations related to access, cost, quality, liability, organization, and finance
• Identify behaviors and practices by individual and institutional providers, as well as public and private payers, that may result in civil, administrative, or criminal penalties
• Conduct legal research on federal and state laws and policies that impact patients, insured individuals, and human research subjects in the United States
• Examine the intersection of individual and public health, including legal challenges highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic

Course Details

The Master of Legal Studies in Healthcare Law provides a deep dive into the legal complexities of the healthcare industry. You will explore critical topics such as:

• Introduction to the American Legal System
• Structure of Health Care Enterprises: Legal Forms, Governance, and Relationships
• Regulation of Private Health Insurance, Managed Care
• Fraud and Abuse Claims
• Anti-Trust Issues in Healthcare Delivery
• Health Care Transactions and Contracts
• Sources and Types of Liability of Healthcare Institutions and Professionals
• Quality Control: Licensing, Accreditation, and Quality Regulation
• Overview of Public Health Care Programs
• Coding and Billing
• Health Information Management
• HIPAA/Patient Privacy
• Professional Relationships in Health Care Enterprises
• Experiencing a Simulated Investigation

Why Choose OU for Healthcare Law

• Faculty Expertise: Faculty members are carefully selected for their expertise in healthcare law.
• Robust Student Support: OU Online and the OU College of Law offer robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center.
• Global Alumni Network: With over 250,000 alumni worldwide, joining the OU Online community means gaining access to a global network of legal and business professionals.
• Flexible Format: The Master of Legal Studies in Healthcare Law is delivered in a fully online, flexible format built for working professionals around the world.

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition Fees:
  • Oklahoma residents: $612.65 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30 per credit hour and $117.50 per semester.
  • Non-residents: $1,111.90 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30 per credit hour and $117.50 per semester.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available.

Admission Criteria

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • For graduates of a college or university outside the United States, the College of Law will follow OU Norman campus determinations of equivalency.
  • An undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or higher (adjusted as required for courses in which grades were provided under a different standard).

Career Opportunities

Earning your online Master of Legal Studies in Healthcare Law from the University of Oklahoma College of Law positions you for a high-impact career with organizations that are shaping the future of global healthcare and driving economic growth. Accelerate your career in areas such as:

• Healthcare Compliance Officer
• Healthcare Policy Analyst
• Healthcare Risk Manager
• Healthcare Contracts Manager
• Healthcare Consultant
• Health Information Privacy Officer
• Medical Staff Coordinator
• Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs Specialist
• Medical Malpractice Claims Analyst
• Healthcare Accreditation Specialist