Online Master's In Healthcare Law - Best Programs 2017

When you have decided to pursue a master of science in healthcare law, you are looking into a very specialized area of health care. It is important to know what to expect when looking for a program as well as what type of qualifications you will need to be an attractive job prospect on the market. You can look into getting an online masters in healthcare law, but you want to be especially careful that you get into a legitimate program. Asking a few simple questions can help you obtain a healthcare law degree and get you started in your career.

Ultimate Guide To Online Master’s In Healthcare Law

What Is Studied Within The Program?

One of the first things to remember is that a master of science in healthcare law is not a law degree. Rather, those who tend to work on the administrative side of health care are familiar with laws in health care and how these laws affect the workings of their establishments. This means they study reasons behind the rise of healthcare costs and many other issues. For instance, someone with an MS in healthcare law should be able to identify and study ethically ambiguous research studies as well as malpractice claims. In some cases, many people who decide to pursue the master’s degree will also pursue a Juris Doctor as well.

Why Should Someone Pursue This Degree?

One of the primary reasons someone would pursue a master’s rather than a juris doctor is because he or she does not plan to actually practice law. Rather he or she would prefer to work on policy within the workplace in order to help it run more efficiently. Another reason someone might pursue this degree is because he or she may want to have a direct impact on the lives of patients but does not want to work with patients in highly stressful situations such as nursing. Those who prefer administrative functions may also decide this is the right career path.

What Standard Courses Are Taken?

Of course, it is necessary to have a bachelor’s degree or some equivalent credentials before pursuing the master’s degree. Once accepted into a program, there are a few courses required such as bioethics. There are courses specific to health care including health care organizations and medical and health care practice. There are also a few that focus on law such as health care law and policies as well as health law and policy. Some programs may also have courses that are specific to their own courses, especially when it comes to laws and policies specific to a region or state. Lawyers who are looking to continue their education may also have to look into continuing legal education (CLE) courses as well.

What Career Opportunites Are Available Once Completed?

As previously stated, many people with an MS in healthcare law decide to go into administrative positions. Many work as hospital administrators or health care facility managers. Even doctors may decide to pursue the degree in order to have a better understanding of policy issues and move over to administration when they can no longer practice. A person with this degree can become a hospital health law administrator or a health law legislator or policymaker. It is also possible to become a healthcare lobbyist. In any case, many in healthcare law find positions in hospitals, long-term health care facilities and public health lobbying firms.

What Types Of Requirements Are Needed For Admission?

When pursuing a law degree, it is necessary to already have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program, but there may be other requirements for foreign students to have an equivalent degree. Applicants must also perform well on the Law School Admission Test or LSAT. However, some programs may allow applicants to use their Graduate Record Examinations or GRE. Those who plan on doing a dual degree may need to submit scores from both these exams.