LL.M. Health Law Specialization
Law and Government LL.M. students who are interested in health law and policy are eligible to earn a Health Law Specialization Certificate. The Specialization is a rigorous program designed to prepare lawyers for successful careers in the dynamic field of health law.
To fulfill the Specialization, students must complete a minimum of 12 credits from a list of approved courses and must write either two twenty to twenty-five page papers on health law topics or write one such paper and complete one externship in the field of health law. Students who specialize in health law are encouraged to complete Health Law (4 credits) and Administrative Law (3 credits), in addition to a selection of the wide range of specialized health law courses offered both during the academic year and in our innovative Health Law & Policy Summer Institute. Students meet regularly with the Associate Director of the Program on Law & Government and the Health Law & Policy Fellow to design a curriculum that meets their individualized needs and objectives and to ensure that they are on track to meet their goals.
Students specializing in Health Law are encouraged to earn academic credit through . Washington, D.C. offers students a wide range of health law externships. These externships enable students to make valuable professional connections and to translate their classroom efforts into practical experience. The Program on Law and Government encourages LL.M. students to explore the many externship opportunities available in the nation's capital and is committed to helping students find externships that are tailored to each student's interests and goals.
In addition to regular academic year offerings, students are encouraged to participate in the Health Law & Policy Summer Institute. This flexible one-week program provides students and practitioners with training on a broad spectrum of cutting edge health law and policy topics. Custom-developed courses taught by prominent health lawyers from private practice, health care organizations, government, and nongovernmental organizations provide an intensive learning experience. Academic credits earned in the Health Law and Policy Summer Institute may be used toward the LL.M. Health Law Specialization.
For more information about Health Law & Policy at WCL, the LL.M. Health Law Specialization, and/or the Health Law & Policy Summer Institute, please contact Associate Director of the Health Law and Policy Program, Professor Asha Scielzo at scielzo@wcl.american.edu.