2009 Summer Session
June 15-19, 2009
American University Washington College of Law (WCL) announces the second Annual Health Law and Policy Institute, providing JD and LL.M. students and practitioners with an opportunity for intensive training in various aspects of health law and policy over a one-week period.
The Summer Session offers a broad range of custom-developed courses taught by leading practitioners from private practice businesses, health care organizations, government and non-governmental organizations, specifically for an intensive learning format.
The courses are designed to enhance the preparation of legal professionals for practicing health care law, and focus on both theoretical and practical aspects of health law and policy.
Networking Opportunities: For students, the Summer Session at the Health Law and Policy Institute can complement a summer internship or externship in exciting Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, where opportunities for an enriched health care law-related experience abound. Both day and night courses are available. Students can choose among several 1 credit classes and can take up to 3 credits.
Credits: Courses in the Health Law and Policy Institute can be taken for law school credit or for Continuing Legal Education (CLE). The credits can also be used toward an LL.M. Program on Law and Government degree with a Health Law Specialization, from WCL. A Certificate of Attendance will be presented to participants who do not wish to take courses for academic credit.
Course Descriptions
The actual course schedule and offerings are subject to change. Please check the WCL Summer Session's Web site for the latest information.
Introduction to International Health, Human Rights and Public Health:
Profs. Majette and Vasquez
Introduces students to the substance and theory of human rights law through a focus on public health. Exploring the linkage between human rights, international public health policy, and international law, the course examines the right to health vis-à-vis other human rights, as framed by international treaties and covenants.
Introduction to Medicine for Lawyers:
Profs. Parver and Pavsner
Teaches up-to-date information in an introduction to basic medical principles and practices, and reviews medical negligence law for those students interested in medical liability issues.
Intersection of Intellectual Property and Health Care:
Prof. Flynn
Provides significant exposure to the many relationships between U.S. patent, trademark and copyright laws and health care, including: access to medicines, data privacy, genetics, and biotechnology.
Legal Issues in Health Care Fraud and Abuse:
Profs. Parver, Boese, Valiant, Toran
Examines fraud and abuse in the delivery of health care through discussions of the criminal and civil laws and regulations that combat various forms of health care fraud. Course includes a False Claims “Boot Camp”, as well as Stark and Anti-kickback statute issues; health care anti-fraud enforcement efforts; sanctions; and compliance.
Introduction to Health Care and Life Sciences Fundamentals:
Profs. Grossman, Dinerstein, Michaels, Geetter, Snyder
Addresses the unique issues attorneys face in counseling health industry clients, including: coding, coverage, reimbursement, billing, compliance and other regulatory matters. Includes Congressional and state legislative initiatives, and recent Federal government regulatory actions.
Introduction to Bioethics:
Prof. Gertner
Considers legal, ethical, and public policy problems posed by developments in health care financing, allocation, and delivery. Topics include bioethics, federal reform of health policy, health care dispute resolution, health care transactions, managed care, medical liability, health law legislative and regulatory process, and public health law.
Introduction to Genetics:
Prof. McTeer
Genetics and the Law is intended to introduce students to the many ways in which the legal system, construed broadly, is influenced by and influences the science of genetics. This course also aims to introduce students to the ethical and societal concerns raised by new genetic technologies and how the law addresses these issues or may do so in the future.
Events and Internship/Externship Possibilities
A series of guest lectures, panel discussions, and other activities involving leading practitioners from governmental and non-governmental Washington, D.C. will provide participants with dynamic learning and networking opportunities. Staff will act as a liaison to participants interested in learning about internship/externship opportunities in the Washington, D.C. health community.
Faculty Experts
John (Jack) T. Boese, Esq., Partner, Fried Frank Harris Shriver and Jacobson LLP.
Robert Dinerstein, Esq., Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law.
Sean Flynn, Esq., Associate Director, American University Washington College of Law Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property (PI JIP ).
Jennifer Geetter, Esq., Partner, McDermott Will & Emery.
Heidi Gertner, Esq., Counsel, Food and Drug Administration.
Lewis Grossman, Esq., Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law.
Maureen McTeer, Esq., Adjunct Professor, University of Ottawa Law School.
Joel L. Michaels, Esq., Partner, McDermott Will & Emery LLP.
Corrine Parver, Esq., Practitioner-in-Residence and Executive Director, Health Law and Policy, American University Washington College of Law.
Steven M. Pavsner, Esq., Partner, Joseph, Greenwald & Laake.
Houeida Saad, Esq., Deputy General Counsel, INOVA Health System.
Lynn Shapiro Snyder, Esq., Senior Partner, Epstein Becker and Green, P.C.
Carrie Valiant, Esq., Partner, Epstein Becker and Green, P.C.
Javier Vasquez, Esq., Special Counsel, Pan American Health Organization, WHO.
Registration
2009 Calendar
Registration ends: June 10
Classes begin: June 15
Classes end: June 20
Take-home exams/papers for candidates applying for academic credit: due July 12
International Participants: Visa Information
We recommend that international participants apply at least five weeks before the Summer Session starts. It is the participant's responsibility to apply for a visa at the American Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Please take into consideration that application procedures differ form country to country, and that you may need to schedule an interview appointment in advance.
Law Students: Application for Academic Credit
WCL JD and LL.M. Students: No special application is involved. Please enroll through your my.american.edu account.
JD and LL.M. Visiting Students: Students who wish to accelerate graduation by enrolling for Summer Session courses must consult with and have permission from their home institutions. A letter of good standing and permission to enroll at the American University Washington College of Law must accompany your application. Please use the appropriate academic credit application.
Registration Deadline: June 10, 2009. Completed application and a $65 non-refundable application fee should be mailed directly to the Registrar's Office at:
Office of the Registrar
American University Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 304
Washington, DC 20016-8125
Tel: 202-274-4080; Fax: 202-274-4085
Tuition and Fees for Students:
Tuition per credit for 2008: $1350
Non-refundable Application Fee: $65
Student Activity Fee: $30
Note: Tuition does not include expenses for books and other reading materials.
Note to foreign students regarding Language Proficiency: Applicants whose first language is not English must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 580 or a written certificate of proficiency from an accredited language institution, unless applicant holds a degree from an accredited U.S. institution.
Session Changes and Withdrawals:
For Credit Students:
Students who have registered to receive academic credit must contact the Office of the Registrar for information about withdrawal forms and deadlines. You can contact the Registrar's Office at:
Office of the Registrar
American University Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 304
Washington, DC 20016
Tel: 202-274-4080
Requests for refunds should be directed to the American University Office of Student Accounts at:
American University
Student Accounts
Asbury Building, 3rd floor
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8073
Tel: 202-885-3541