HCA 420
Medical Law and Ethics
Online Course
HCA 420 Medical Law and Ethics
3 Semester Units
Medical Law and Ethics explores the study of medical ethics, or applied ethics, for healthcare professionals who often face dilemmas that are not experienced by the general population. The fast-paced growth of medical technology has made the study of ethics even more relevant. The study of bioethics, or biomedical ethics, refers to moral dilemmas due to advances in medicine and medical research. Since medical law and ethics are often interrelated, students need to have a clear understanding of both in order to protect themselves, their employer, and the patient. The study of ethics includes many questions for which there is no one answer.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Define medical law, ethics, and bioethics and examine why it is important to study them.
- Examine the legal environment of healthcare including the legal and court systems and essential laws for healthcare professionals.
- Describe issues related to the healthcare environment regarding liability, confidentiality, and the physician-patient relationship.
- Demonstrate an understanding of medical ethics and describe future trends in healthcare.
- Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to medical law and ethics.
If you are interested in taking this course, please explore a degree or certificate program below:
> Explore Health Care Administration ProgramsCCU Online Courses FAQ
No. At this time, students may only enroll in a certificate or degree program and cannot enroll into a single course. We urge you to Explore All Programs to find a certificate or degree program best suited to your needs.
All of our programs are self-paced. This means you can complete your coursework as quickly or as slowly as your schedule permits as long as you complete one course every six months to remain an active student in good standing.
This course is structured into four units and a final exam. Each unit has a required essay and an open book multiple-choice exam.
Yes. Every course in the educational programs offered at California Coast University requires an assigned textbook. To assist students in managing the high costs of textbooks, CCU offers a rental library for all required texts.
Students can also obtain textbooks in their local areas or through online sources if they do not wish to utilize the University's rental library. There are many resources on the web for renting, purchasing, and selling textbooks. If you would like to purchase your textbooks, or are interested in exploring other delivery methods (digital or pdf versions), we have compiled a handy Textbook Resource Page for students who wish to explore other options.
Students can also obtain textbooks in their local areas or through online sources if they do not wish to utilize the University's rental library. There are many resources on the web for renting, purchasing, and selling textbooks. If you would like to purchase your textbooks, or are interested in exploring other delivery methods (digital or pdf versions), we have compiled a handy Textbook Resource Page for students who wish to explore other options.
Yes. California Coast University holds accreditation through the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC is listed by the United States Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
Please contact us. You can also download a CCU Brochure or complete a Request For Information Form Online.
