Online Master of Laws in Healthcare Law

Address the increasing complexity of healthcare law

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

By submitting this form, I consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

At a Glance

The online Master of Laws in Healthcare Law equips you with a powerful combination of legal expertise and business insight tailored to the healthcare industry. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the laws and regulations that shape medical services, preparing you to lead with confidence in a complex, high-stakes field. Earn your degree in as little as 12 months as a full-time student or 15 months while working full-time.

OU Law’s online programs feature small class sizes that foster connection and collaboration. You’ll learn from distinguished faculty who bring real-world experience as attorneys, compliance leaders, and healthcare professionals. They’ll challenge you to think critically and strategically about how the law influences every aspect of healthcare.

100% Online

Time to Complete:

12+ Months

Credit Hours:

Time Commitment:

10 to 20 Hours Weekly

start dates

Fall, Spring, & Summer

cost

Oklahoma residents: $612.65 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30* per credit hour and $2,617.50 per semester.

Non-residents: $1,111.90 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30* per credit hour and $2,617.50 per semester.

*The LLM semester fee is reduced by $2,500 after the 4th semester.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

By submitting this form, l consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

About the Online Master of Laws in Healthcare Law

The OU College of Law’s online LLM in Healthcare Law is a 24-credit-hour program designed for attorneys who want to deepen their expertise in healthcare law or transition into this dynamic field. Whether you are expanding your current practice or shifting your focus, this program delivers the legal foundation and specialized knowledge you need to lead with confidence.

The curriculum explores the legal, regulatory, political, ethical, and economic dimensions of healthcare delivery. You’ll study key topics such as healthcare institutions, health information management, fraud and abuse, transactions, contracts and billing, liability, HIPAA, privacy, and compliance—preparing you to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare law.

What Can I Do with a Healthcare Law Degree

Earning an online LLM in Healthcare Law from the University of Oklahoma College of Law prepares you for an in-demand career in range of legal, industry, and government settings, including:

Large and Boutique Law Firms
Pharmaceutical Companies
Public Health Authorities
Law School Instructor

Health Care Delivery Organizations
Public and Private Payors
Federal and State Enforcement Agencies

Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn

The LLM in Healthcare Law program offers a comprehensive legal overview of critical topics facing healthcare organizations. Learn to:

Analyze major federal and state statutes, regulations, government advisory opinions, judicial opinions, and health law and policy initiatives
Understand the past and present regulations of healthcare access, cost, quality, liability, organization, and finance
Understand the behaviors and activities of individual and institutional healthcare providers and public and private payers that can lead to civil, administrative, and criminal sanctions
Conduct legal research involving federal and state laws and policies impacting patients, insureds, and human research subjects in the United States
Examine the relationship between individual and public health, including current issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic

Course Details

The Master of Laws in Healthcare Law delivers a comprehensive exploration of the legal landscape shaping healthcare today. You’ll dive into essential topics such as healthcare system structures, quality control, HIPAA and patient privacy, coding and billing practices, and health information management—equipping you with the expertise to lead in a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry.

Introduction to the American Legal System

Credit Hours: 2
Examines the United States court system, the role of the Constitution, and other foundations in US law and their relation to the healthcare system. Introduces students to fundamental principles in US law. Explains how law functions in our society and how it plays a role in conﬂict resolution, civil liberties, equality, contracts, and interacts with the U.S. healthcare system.

Structure of Health Care Enterprises: Legal Forms, Governance, and Relationships

Credit Hours: 2
The course will cover the different legal forms a healthcare enterprise can take, including Non-proﬁts, physician-owned, government-owned, and Hospital systems. This course will also familiarize students with the contents and role of organizational documents, Governance issues, ﬁduciary duties, issues for tax-exempt organizations, and relationships between Physicians and tax-exempt entities.

Regulation of Private Health Insurance, Managed Care

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Legal Studies and/or Master of Laws Programs. This course will cover the regulation of health insurance companies with a focus on changes brought about by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Students will become familiar with managed care concepts and analyze key components of health care plans.

Fraud and Abuse/False Claims

Credit Hours: 3
Will cover the federal physician self-referral law, fraud, and abuse law. Students will learn the statutes, regulations, and advisory opinions that deﬁne the parameters of physician referrals and anti-kickback laws, analyzing case studies for those issues. Students will familiarize themselves with the False Claims Act and other laws, regulations, and government regulatory actions designed to combat false claims and fraudulent activities.

HIPAA/Patient Privacy

Credit Hours: 2
Explores the federal regulatory scheme designed to protect the privacy and security of health information. Topics covered include: Entities and information to which the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 HIPAA) applies, HIPAA compliance and enforcement, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health.

Health Care Transactions and Contracts

Credit Hours: 2
This course covers the business, regulatory, and legal issues that arise in healthcare business transactions: asset sales, mergers, joint ventures, procurement contracts, and the application of tax laws to transactions. In addition, this course will cover the fundamental principles of contract law and the role of valuations in healthcare transactions.

Sources and Types of Liability of Healthcare Institutions and Professionals

Credit Hours: 2
Will discuss how the healthcare providers and institutions can be held liable, as well as the consequences of agency and contractor status. In addition, this course will cover the elements of negligence in cases involving healthcare professionals.

Quality Control: Licensing, Accreditation, and Quality Regulation

Credit Hours: 2
Designed to introduce students to the laws, agencies, and other bodies that license, regulate, and discipline physicians. Topics covered will include licensing proceedings and hearings, and health care entity policies addressing these issues.

Overview of Public Health Care Programs

Credit Hours: 3
Will cover public health insurance (including Medicare, Medicaid, government hospitals, and other government-ﬁnanced health programs). In addition, this course will cover the treatment requirements for anyone entering an Emergency department under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

Coding and Billing

Credit Hours: 2
Provides students with working knowledge of the business side of medicine: medical record documentation, coding, and billing. This course will provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the legal role of the medical record, speciﬁcally in the context of obligations for the organization of the medical record and its support for reimbursement of services.

Health Information Management

Credit Hours: 2
Will cover health information law and policy as it pertains to data security and privacy of electronic health records in the United States. Students will examine how individual health information is collected, maintained, and transferred in this electronic information age, and the ramiﬁcations when such information is improperly protected, stolen, and misused.

Anti-Trust Issues in Healthcare Delivery

Credit Hours: 2
Focuses on antitrust issues relevant to health care providers: hospital and physician mergers, virtual mergers and joint ventures; exclusive contracts and other medical staff exclusion issues; covenants not to compete; managed care plans; antitrust defenses such as state action, nonproﬁt, learned profession, efficiencies, failing business, etc.; and federal and state healthcare antitrust regulatory efforts, including healthcare collaborative guidelines.

Professional Relationships in Health Care Enterprises

Credit Hours: 2
Covers professional relationships between and among healthcare enterprises and the differences between direct employment and independent practitioners with privileges when looking at credentialing, disciplinary issues, and the Healthcare Quality Improvement Act.

Experiencing a Simulated Investigation

Credit Hours: 3
Prepares students for experiencing an investigation, including how to prepare for a potential investigation and how to respond to and cooperate with an investigation. A portion of the course will involve live simulation exercises.

Why Choose OU for Healthcare Law

The OU College of Law stands out as a top destination for earning a Master of Laws in Healthcare Law. Backed by the University of Oklahoma’s commitment to innovation, OU Law also offers a Juris Doctor program consistently recognized as one of the best value law degrees in the nation—making it a smart, strategic choice for advancing your legal career.

Faculty Expertise

Faculty members are carefully selected for their expertise in healthcare law. You’ll learn from a mix of attorneys, compliance officers, and medical professionals who will challenge and encourage you to think deeply about how law impacts the healthcare industry and your own role moving forward.

Robust Student Support

OU Online and the OU College of Law accommodate the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your healthcare law expertise while maintaining full-time employment. The program offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center.

Global Alumni Network

As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful community of leaders working in all aspects of the healthcare industry, helping you expand your legal career. With over 250,000 alumni worldwide, joining the OU Online community means gaining access to a global network of legal and business professionals.

Flexible Format

The Master of Laws in Healthcare Law is delivered in a fully online, flexible format built for working professionals around the world. Earn your degree in as little as 12 months as a full-time student or 15 months while balancing a full-time career. Study from anywhere while gaining in-demand legal expertise tailored to the healthcare industry.

Tailored Experience

Move through the program with a small, focused cohort of professionals who share your passion for healthcare law. Courses are asynchronous for maximum flexibility, yet designed to keep you actively engaged. Through interactive discussions, optional live lectures, personalized support, and collaborative online activities, you stay connected and supported while learning at your own pace

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning your degree in Healthcare Law is a strategic investment in your future—and OU Online is committed to making that investment clear, accessible, and affordable.

Oklahoma residents: $612.65 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30* per credit hour and $2,617.50 per semester.

Non-residents: $1,111.90 per credit hour, plus additional fees of $201.30* per credit hour and $2,617.50 per semester.

*The LLM semester fee is reduced by $2,500 after the 4th semester.

Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Our dedicated financial services team will support you through every step of the funding process—so you can stay focused on your education and career goals.

For questions about financial aid for your online program, contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or 405-325-2929.

Take the Next Step

Each application to the LLM in Healthcare Law is reviewed with care to build a cohort where every student can thrive and contribute meaningfully to the learning experience. The admissions process takes a holistic approach, considering more than just test scores, GPAs, and numerical indicators—valuing the unique perspectives and professional experiences each candidate brings. Minimum qualifications for admission to the LLM program include the following:

A Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited U.S. law school or a first professional degree in law from a country outside the United States.
A B- or higher cumulative GPA or equivalent for courses counted toward the law degree or standing at median class rank or higher.
The committee may consider exceptional circumstances in admitting a student cumulative whose GPA relating to the law degree is below a B-.

Application Timeline

The admissions committee follows a rolling admissions process*, with applications accepted up to two weeks before classes begin. Some programs may require earlier submission, so applying early is encouraged. The committee aims to respond to all applicants within two weeks of receiving a completed application. *This program typically has an earlier application deadline than the standard 14 days prior to the intended start. Please check directly with the program to ensure your application is received in time.

Step 1

Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.

Step 2

Fill out your application.

Step 3

Provide supplemental materials, including a resume, personal statement, and undergraduate transcripts.