Advance Your Career with a Master of Legal Studies in Healthcare Compliance and Law

The Master of Legal Studies in healthcare is designed for professionals who want to enhance their knowledge of health law, healthcare regulations, and legal compliance without becoming practicing attorneys. The degree focuses on legal aspects of regulatory compliance, HIPAA policies, cybersecurity in the health industry, and other aspects of healthcare and law.

Healthcare compliance officers, legal consultants, and other administrators benefit from this degree. Other roles include:

An online Master of Legal Studies in healthcare offers a flexible study plan while offering the same curriculum as an in-person program. For working students who can’t take a year or two off to complete a degree, or who can’t travel out of state to attend their preferred school, online degrees are a great way to get a graduate degree while staying employed and saving money.

Core classes in most graduate classes include:

Note: An MLS degree does not prepare students to take the bar exam. These classes are designed for the non-lawyer who wants a practical knowledge of law in the healthcare industry.

Graduate Certificates

Some colleges and law schools offer certificates in specializations that can enhance the value of the MLS degree. For instance, Arizona State University has graduate certificates in a number of complementary areas that would benefit your healthcare degree, such as:

Depending on your current or planned career goals, any of these specializations could improve your employment prospects.

Healthcare compliance is one of many specializations a graduate student may acquire with their master’s degree. A compliance specialization studies federal laws and regulations, quality of care, and patient access to records. Compliance with HIPAA and state laws in an age of online record-keeping is just one part of healthcare compliance.

Public health law studies legal issues regarding healthcare policy, public health ethics, and healthcare finance as it relates to access and patient care. Disability rights, food law, and other aspects of the law are also examined in public health law.

Privacy and cybersecurity surround all questions of regulatory compliance and patient rights. HIPAA, federal cybersecurity laws, and even homeland security are all part of understanding the importance of healthcare privacy laws today.

If you already work in healthcare, you may be employed as a compliance officer, legal consultant, or other regulatory field. There is a wide range of careers available for those with a graduate degree in a healthcare-related discipline. Options can include:

If you’re already working in these careers, you can use your degree to widen your responsibilities and employability. If you’re looking for a new career or a change of direction, consider looking into one of these areas as a possible option.

All colleges, universities, and law schools have their own set of admissions requirements for graduate degrees. For instance, Seton Hall Law School wants original documents only, not photocopies. Transcripts and letters of recommendation must be mailed directly from schools and your sponsors.

You should always check each admissions office’s requirements carefully. However, you can expect a checklist that looks something like this:

As a general rule of thumb, do not submit anything the school does not request, and do your due diligence to submit all requirements for the school you’re applying to.

Online Master of Legal Studies programs have the same per-unit cost as in-person classes. The full tuition for an MLS degree at Texas A&M is $35,000. The savings in an online program come from being able to continue working, living at home, and not commuting to and from classes.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for all online courses. Most applications include a FAFSA application, although students should think carefully before requesting a student loan for a one-year MLS program. Other options, such as scholarships, personal loans, and employer reimbursements, are also available.

When you get an online Master of Legal Studies in healthcare, you can do it without quitting your job or even leaving your home. Flexible asynchronous classes let you log in on your own schedule; you can have a good work-study-life balance without spending all day plugged into your computer.

Privacy is a major concern today. However, your online information is secure when you take courses through an accredited university or law school. No one has access to your classwork or degree information until you provide it.

Anyone starting a new educational goal has questions. Here are answers to some of the most common ones:

How long does an MLS in Healthcare take?
Online MLS courses are designed to take about one to two years, depending on whether they are taken full-time or part-time. Some can be completed in as few as nine months.

Is an MLS in Healthcare worth it?
A graduate degree is an outstanding opportunity for a professional seeking advancement in healthcare, public health, or any field where they need legal knowledge and additional knowledge.

What are the top career paths?
Growing career fields include regulatory compliance, public policy, and cybersecurity as it relates to healthcare and health insurance.

A graduate degree like a Master of Legal Studies in healthcare is a good way to improve your employability and advance your career goals. Online courses are designed for today’s working professionals to keep their jobs while obtaining advanced degrees.

If this degree appeals to you, visit the admissions offices and do your own online research. There is a school and a course that is right for you.