The Certificate in Health Law provides students with a rigorous and comprehensive study of the statutes, rules and regulations affecting the healthcare industry. Willamette Law has put an increased emphasis on health law in the last year as part of its Signature Strengths Initiative. “At Willamette Law, academic growth and experiential learning form a critical foundation for students’ success,” says Dean Brian Gallini. “Expanding our offerings with the Health Law Certificate, the clinical law program and the externship program will help better prepare our students for every day, ever-changing nature of today’s practice of law.”
Distinguished Professor from Practice Bruce F. Howell, a pioneer in the field of health law, directs the program. He is a board-certified health law attorney who has practiced for 45 years. “The vast field of the health care industry provides attorneys with tremendous opportunities for intellectual growth and positions of leadership,” Howell says. “Willamette Law’s Health Certificate Program provides a unique opportunity for students to pursue their passions in this area.” Nearly every aspect of a person’s life involves health law. Willamette’s faculty experts teach courses designed around current policy debates, as well as both public and private aspects of health law.
A recent course, for instance, explored the legal implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of the certificate program will be on regulatory issues governing the daily structure and operation of the healthcare industry, as well as administrative law, disability law, medical malpractice, bioethics and biomedical law, healthcare employment matters, and criminal law and procedure. To be admitted to the certificate program, a student must have a 2.50 GPA following completion of the first year (or 30 credits for part-time students)
