Explore Hofstra’s Flexible Online LLM in Health Law

The legal profession is evolving rapidly, and nowhere is this more evident than in healthcare law – a sector experiencing unprecedented growth as regulatory complexity, digital health innovations and policy reforms reshape the industry. For experienced attorneys seeking to capitalize on this lucrative and intellectually stimulating field, the traditional path to specialization has always presented a difficult choice: compromise on educational depth or sacrifice career momentum.

With Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Deane School of Law and the online Master of Laws (LLM) in Health Law and Policy program, attorneys no longer have to compromise. Read on to learn more about this specialized health law degree for lawyers.

Beyond Surface-Level Knowledge: The Power of Full Immersion

For attorneys serious about transitioning into the complex legal landscape of healthcare, earning a law degree from most other universities is akin to learning to perform surgery by taking a first aid course. The courses that focus specifically on health law are limited, meaning students waste time on more general law courses.

Hofstra’s LLM takes a radically different approach. Every single credit – all 25 of them – is dedicated exclusively to health law and policy. Students don’t waste time on unrelated coursework or diluted survey classes. Instead, they dive deep into the legal frameworks that actually govern healthcare practice today.

The immersive LLM curriculum reads like a blueprint for healthcare legal expertise:

• Medicare and Medicaid regulations that govern billions in healthcare spending
• Healthcare compliance frameworks that can make or break institutional operations
• Bioethics and medical decision-making that shape patient care standards
• Healthcare transactions and finance that drive industry consolidation
• Public health law that influences policy at every government level

This comprehensive immersion matters because healthcare law isn’t a traditional legal practice area you can learn on the job. The regulatory environment is dense, constantly evolving, and mistakes carry enormous consequences. Attorneys entering this field need foundational expertise that can only come from systematic, focused study.

The Asynchronous Revolution: Quality Legal Education, Anytime, Anywhere

Any skepticism about online legal education is understandable. Law has always been a relationship-driven profession where mentorship, classroom debate, and peer interaction drive learning. But Hofstra’s approach demonstrates that asynchronous online education can deliver not just comparable quality, but distinct advantages for working professionals.

Many attorneys who have enrolled in Hofstra’s LLM program live outside of New York State. These are professionals managing complex caseloads, leading teams, and often supporting families. The traditional model of relocating for residential study or commuting to evening classes simply doesn’t work for serious practitioners in the prime of their careers.

Hofstra’s 100% asynchronous format means students access world-class legal education 24/7. Whether reviewing case studies in the morning before court appearances, participating in online discussions during lunch breaks, or completing assignments on weekends, students maintain complete control over their learning schedule.

But flexibility doesn’t mean compromising on rigor. The program maintains the same academic standards as Hofstra’s residential programs, offered by a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association. Students engage with the same distinguished faculty, complete the same comprehensive curriculum, and produce the same caliber of scholarship, including a five-credit capstone research project.

Real Outcomes From Real Practitioners

The proof of any educational program lies in graduate outcomes, and Hofstra’s track record speaks volumes. Alumni have secured positions at industry-leading organizations, including:

• Government & Public Health: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs, New York State Office of Temporary Disability Assistance
• Major Health Systems: Kaiser Permanente, Northwell Health, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Mount Sinai Hospital
• Insurance Leaders: Aetna CVS Health, Cigna Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Humana Inc.
• Healthcare Innovation: Allergan, Johns Hopkins Community Hospital, University of Utah Medical Center

Perhaps more importantly, the program boasts a 90% graduation rate – a powerful indicator that the structure, pacing, and support systems align with the realities of working professionals. This isn’t accidental; it reflects careful program design that respects students’ existing commitments while maintaining academic rigor.

The faculty model reinforces this practical focus. Instruction comes from both full-time law school professors and practicing attorneys, ensuring students benefit from academic depth and current industry insight. Through Hofstra’s partnership with Northwell Health – one of New York’s largest healthcare providers – students gain exposure to real-world healthcare operations and policy challenges.

Your Career, Amplified

For attorneys ready to lead in healthcare’s evolving legal landscape, Hofstra’s online LLM in Health Law and Policy represents more than continuing education – it’s career transformation made practical. Whether you’re a litigator eyeing medical malpractice specialization, a corporate attorney planning a transition to healthcare organizations, or a policy-minded lawyer aiming for systemic impact, this program provides the focused expertise today’s healthcare sector demands.

Healthcare has only become more complex today, which means organizations desperately need legal experts who can navigate legal requirements while understanding operational realities.

Key growth areas in healthcare law include:

• Regulatory compliance and risk management
• Healthcare transactions and mergers
• Public health law and policy development
• Patient rights and privacy protection
• Healthcare fraud and abuse prevention

According to Glassdoor, attorneys working in healthcare can earn a base salary of $103K - $192K per year.¹ This salary range is for all levels and does not take into account specialized degrees and years of experience.

Ready to Specialize Without Compromise?

The healthcare legal sector is expanding rapidly, creating unprecedented opportunities for attorneys with specialized expertise. Hofstra’s online LLM in Health Law and Policy offers the comprehensive education needed to seize these opportunities, without sacrificing the career momentum you’ve already built.

With three start dates per year and no GRE, GMAT, or LSAT requirements, beginning your transformation is straightforward. The only question is whether you’re ready to join the next generation of healthcare law leaders.

The stackable credential pathway adds another layer of flexibility. If you are undecided about committing to the full LLM program, you can begin with Hofstra’s Certificate in Health Law and Policy. Earn your certificate in just eight months, then apply those credits toward the full LLM as your career goals evolve.

Schedule a call with a helpful admissions outreach advisor to learn more about what Hofstra’s online LLM in Health Law and Policy program can do for you. Or, if you’re ready, get started on your application.