How Lauren is using an MSL with a Health Law focus to drive Medicaid strategy

When Lauren saw how fragmented Medicaid systems were across the country, she knew she needed more than policy experience. She needed legal insight. That’s when she turned to the online Master in the Study of Law (MSL) program at Ohio State’s Moritz College of Law. 

Today, as a Medicaid growth strategy analyst for a large corporate health care organization, Lauren navigates an intricate web of state-specific regulations, insurance contracts, and market opportunities. The MSL program, with its Health Law concentration, equips her with the tools to interpret laws and regulations and apply them to real-world strategy.

Why health law matters in Medicaid and beyond

Medicaid is one of the most complex areas of U.S. health care. For professionals like Lauren, success depends not just on understanding policy but also on interpreting legal language, compliance requirements, and the ripple effects of court rulings.

“Every state has its own rules and regulations for its Medicaid program,” Lauren explains, with many states putting programs out to bid for private insurers. “We assess various policies across markets to inform our strategy.”

That’s where health law expertise comes in. Courses in areas such as regulatory compliance, contracts, and mediation provide a framework for understanding how legal structures can shift health systems—knowledge that’s valuable for health law careers in compliance, insurance, pharmaceuticals, and public health.

Building on a public policy foundation

Lauren started her journey at Ohio State with a bachelor’s degree in public policy analysis from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, paired with minors in biology and pharmacy. That background gave her a strong foundation in pharmaceutical policy, bioethics, and the connection between government and industry. The MSL added a critical layer.

“I’ve always been interested in the intersection of government and business,” she says. “I decided to go into the master’s program when I absolutely knew how I wanted to pursue my career.”

Courses that connect directly to the job

Health Law was one of the most impactful courses Lauren took.

“I learned a lot about the background of Medicaid, different lawsuits that have tried to lessen its impact, and how it continues to exist,” she says. “It gave me a critical background for my current role.” 

Other electives gave her a deeper perspective on innovation in health care, including a course on women’s health that examined how investment banking and legal frameworks shape new treatments and services. It was one of Lauren’s favorite courses, a testament to the MSL program’s range and relevance. 

Turning legal knowledge into strategy

For Lauren, the biggest payoff has been the ability to bridge disciplines:

“I knew it would be a perfect complement,” she says. “The classes are actually helping me with my job, and my job is helping me with the program.”

With health law expertise shaping her day-to-day decision-making, Lauren isn’t just interpreting regulations—she’s influencing the direction of Medicaid strategy.

“I wanted to learn more of the legal language, help translate legal stuff we might not need a lawyer for, and be that contact or go-to person in my job.”

What can you do with an MSL degree in health law?

The MSL program at Moritz is designed for professionals who work in law-adjacent roles but don’t plan to become practicing attorneys. Health care is one of the fastest-growing areas where this expertise is in demand.

Graduates pursue careers such as: 

• Health care compliance officer 

• Health policy strategist

• Medicaid or Medicare analyst

• Legal operations specialist 

• Regulatory affairs manager 

• Risk management consultant 

These roles exist in health systems, insurance companies, consulting firms, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies—all sectors where understanding the legal side of health care is essential.

Ready to explore health law for yourself?

If you’re considering a career in health care, compliance, or policy (and you want to expand your legal knowledge without earning a JD), the online Master in the Study of Law program at Ohio State offers the flexibility and depth to help you take the next step.