Learn about online degree program options in health law, and explore the variety of graduate programs available. Check the coursework in a health law program. Discover how online learning works.
What Health Law Programs are Available Online?
The most common degree level for a career in health law is the master's degree. Several online options exist, including a Master of Science, Master of Laws, Master of Jurisprudence or dual Juris Doctor and Master of Public Health (J.D./MPH) degrees. With a health law concentration, these master's programs focus primarily on healthcare law, regulations and policies. Depending on your intended career goal, you may enroll in a master's degree program that prepares you for political, litigation or hospital administration careers.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degrees</b></td><td> Master's of Science, Master of Laws, Master of Jurisprudence, Juris Doctor</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Legal issues in U.S. healthcare, public health laws and policies, legal liabilities for institutions, mental health and criminal law, compliance of hospital regulations</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td> Some fully online, some blended</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 4% growth (<i>for lawyers</i>)*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$126,930 (<i>for lawyers</i>)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3><p>Typically, health law programs offer courses that center on legal policies and regulations of healthcare institutions. A J.D./MPH program prepares you for a career as a lawyer, and often includes research-intensive studies in business, personal and criminal law in addition to subjects related to the healthcare industry. Other master's degree programs focus on equipping you with the education to begin a hospital or healthcare administration career. These programs focus less on general legal procedures and more on the law as it pertains directly to public health, patient and care-giver rights and healthcare information. Topics of study may include:
</p><ul><li>Legal issues in the U.S. healthcare system
</li><li>Public health laws and policies
</li><li>Legal liabilities for institutions, physicians and patients
</li><li>Mental health and criminal law
</li><li>Compliance of hospital regulations
</li><li>Tort law related to healthcare
</li><li>Healthcare quality and cost controls
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatCanIExpectFromAnOnlineProgram">What Can I Expect From an Online Program?</h3><p>You may be able to find a master's program in health law entirely online, though many schools offer a hybrid format or, at a minimum, attendance for on-site internships. Online programs are generally designed for the working professional, allowing you to study at your own pace without having to take time from your current job. Those schools that do require on-campus courses or attendance of extracurricular seminars usually provide weekend and evening schedules for these events. Due to the intensive nature of health law studies, earning your degree online may take several years or necessitate working part-time during the program.</p>
