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Pacific Northwest College of Art

Health Law Certificate

Understand the statutes, rules, and regulations affecting the healthcare industry. Focus your studies with our health law certificate program.

Program Snapshot

Degree Type

Certificate within the JD Program

Credit Hours

14

Campus

Salem Campus

Man smiling and holding papers in a classroom, with a Dutch Bros water bottle and a notepad on the table.

Earn a Health Law Certificate

Gain an understanding of healthcare law, public health law, and disability law. Discuss topics in administrative law, medical malpractice, bioethics and biomedical law, healthcare employment issues, and criminal law and procedure. Gain the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a career in health-related industries.

Why pursue a certificate in health law at Willamette?

  • Unique connections to healthcare. We're one block away from  Salem Health and the State Capitol. Get a closer look at the relationship between policy, advocacy, and healthcare operations.
  • Health law courses. Healthcare encompasses several law topics. Find courses related to medical malpractice, biomedical research, and health care law.
  • Prepare for your career. Students are encouraged to gain real-world experience through externships. Past students have found externship placements at OHSU, Health Share of Oregon, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Request Information

Sample Curriculum

Discuss informed consent, identity fraud and abuse within the healthcare system, and learn how to ensure ethical practices. Explore medical malpractice, healthcare transactions, employment law, and other crucial topics related to health and law. Learn more about our required and elective courses.

  • LAW 397 Public Health Law

    Explore the government's authority to regulate public health and the constitutional limits of that power. Dive into critical issues like vaccines, tobacco, drug use, and firearms. Discuss the interplay between federal, state, and local governments, and the regulatory roles of agencies like the FDA.

  • LAW 233 Disability Law

    Dive into the impact of modern disability laws on society, focusing on workplace discrimination, accessibility obligations, and housing accommodations. With guest speakers enriching the real-world perspective, this class offers a dynamic and practical understanding of disability law.

Our Certificate in Health Law Stands Out

Program Values
At the School of Law, we're committed to ensuring the fair and equitable delivery of healthcare services. By understanding the framework of laws, regulations, and policies, we can help shape health laws and medical care. Learn how we're using democracy to advocate for change.
Three students chatting in an open room.

Introducing Some of Our Faculty

Our faculty members have experience in healthcare law and public health law. They've advocated for individuals, companies, and organizations and influenced laws and regulations. They contribute to scholarship and actively work in this evolving field. Learn more about our health law program professors.

  • Bruce Howell

    Professor Bruce Howell boasts a long legal career spanning in states like New York, Texas, Oregon, and Washington. He specializes in regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and healthcare litigation. He has also handled litigation cases related to insurance, ERISA, and the Affordable Care Act.

Get Involved with Health Law

We've created a community of healthcare enthusiasts. Our professors become lifelong mentors, and we make it easy to find peers that have the same interests. Find hands-on learning opportunities, consider externship options, or get involved through student groups.

  • Health and Law Policy Society

    The Health and Law Policy Society offers students exciting opportunities to network with community professionals, explore future employment prospects, and engage in advanced studies. It supports the current health law curriculum and promotes an interest in health policy.

  • Disability Justice

    The Disability Justice student organization fosters an inclusive environment at Willamette University College of Law through direct advocacy and raising awareness of accessibility needs.
Program Requirements

Students are required to complete a total of 14-course hours in addition to a capstone. Students can complete their capstone requirement in one of two ways: (1) complete the graduation writing requirement in a course that is both certificate-approved and GWR-approved, or (2) complete an experiential learning course that is both certificate-approved and experiential-learning-approved.

A law professor chatting with a student
Admission Details

Only current students can apply to our certificate program. In their online application, students must attest to their academic good standing and provide a 250-word personal statement explaining why they wish to pursue their certificate. The director may cap the size of the program, based on advising capacity and capstone course availability. Please contact the Program Director for further information.

The law library lounge at Willamette

FAQs

Willamette University

School of Law