Curriculum

Guided by an outstanding full-time faculty and leading attorneys, the health law curriculum addresses the growing demand for lawyers with specialized credentials in this continually evolving field. DePaul's health law curriculum keeps pace with advancements in biotechnology and changes in federal policy. Currently, the health law curriculum is comprised of over 30 courses, including:

  • Adolescent Health & Law Seminar
  • Antitrust
  • Health Law Colloquium
  • Employment Law Issues for Health Care Providers
  • Field Placement Program
  • Fraud & Abuse
  • Health Care Law & Regulation
  • Health Care Reform
  • Health Policy & Law
  • Labor Law
  • Legal & Public Policy Aspects of Medical Ethics
  • Managed Care
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Mental Health Issues in Criminal Law
  • Public Health & the Law
  • Sexuality, Sexual Orientation & the Law
  • Terrorism
  • Workshop on Medical Clinical Practice/Medical Ethics
  • AIDS Law
  • Antitrust Issues in Health Care
  • Disability Law
  • Epidemics, Law & Social Policy
  • Food & Drug Law
  • Health Care Contracts
  • Health Care Privacy Law (HIPAA & State Law)
  • Health Care Reimbursement Programs
  • Issues in Health Law Applications
  • Law & Medical Practice
  • Legal Drafting: Health Law
  • Mediation in the Health Care Setting
  • Medical Malpractice Workshop
  • Mental Health Law
  • Race, Medicine & the Law
  • Tax Exempt Organizations
  • Women's Health & the Law Seminar

First-Year Legal Writing Section Focusing on Health Law
Prospective first-year students may apply for a seat in a special section of Legal Analysis, Research & Communication focusing specifically on health law cases, policies, and problems. DePaul is the only law school in the country currently providing a first-year section of health law legal writing and research.

Health Law Scholars Summer Job Placement Program
One of the Institute's newest features is its Health Law Scholars Job Placement program, which provides outstanding qualified DePaul students with paid summer experiences at the most distinguished law firms and health organizations in Chicago. Among our partners are the American Medical Association, Children's Memorial Hospital, and the American Osteopathic Association.

Health Law Fellows Program
Each year, the Institute's prestigious Health Law Fellows Program provides students with opportunities to participate in the substantive work of the Institute. Students maintain fellowship status in return for a commitment to work with the Institute throughout the academic year to further existing and future Institute programs. Fellows participate in a variety of activities including the Faculty Fellows Lecture Series, research, newsletter editing, mentoring, field trips, colloquia, symposia, and social events. Students in the fellows program also may apply to the Health Law Scholars Summer Job Placement Program.

Faculty Fellows Lecture Series
Each month, students are treated to a workshop from our Faculty Fellows who are scholars, judges, practitioners, and community leaders from around the country. Faculty Fellows share their research, energy, and time with students. Lectures take place over lunch, giving day law students the opportunity to participate. The Fellows also present one evening in the fall and spring, giving evening J.D. students an opportunity to participate.

DePaul Journal of Health Care Law
Students have the opportunity to participate in the DePaul Journal of Healthcare Law, which has been at the forefront in publishing articles, notes, and comments by nationally and internationally renowned scholars and researchers.

Symposia
Yearly, the Institute hosts a symposium focusing on health care law, and symposia are published as special editions of the DePaul Journal of Health Care Law. Past symposia have focused on Medicaid regulations, medical malpractice, AIDS law, race and medicine, disability law, and urban health. Students play an integral role in coordinating the Institute's annual symposia.

The Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Health Law at DePaul
DePaul's Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Health Law is recognized for its robust curricular offerings, distinguished faculty, and dynamic location. Considered one of the most competitive programs in the country, the reputation of our program contributes to DePaul's longstanding ranking among the nation's top 10 health law programs and attracts students both nationally and internationally. As the country's first ABAaccredited health law program, DePaul leads the way in the education of future generations of health law partners, policy makers, and critical thinkers. At DePaul, LL.M. candidates are treated to a rigorous curriculum and dedicated professors. Students have the opportunity to extern at the most prestigious health law firms, hospitals, and public policy organizations in the world among them the American Medical Association, Rush Memorial Hospital, and the American Hospital Association. LL.M. health law students also have presented at international conferences and are involved with the intellectual and social life of the Institute.

Health Law