Build Legal Expertise With the Online Master’s in Health Law and Policy
The healthcare industry is increasingly complex, with evolving regulations and compliance requirements affecting every aspect of patient care. Hofstra University's Maurice A. Deane School of Law offers a Master of Arts in Health Law and Policy—a comprehensive, 100% online program designed specifically for healthcare professionals who need to master the legal landscape of modern healthcare.
Whether you're a physician seeking to protect your practice, a healthcare administrator pursuing leadership roles, or a social worker advocating for patient rights, our immersive curriculum builds the legal expertise you need to excel in your career while making a meaningful impact in healthcare.
Hofstra’s MA in Health Law and Policy is uniquely designed for working professionals who need flexible, focused education without compromising on excellence. Unlike general legal studies programs with health law concentrations, the curriculum is entirely immersed in health law, ensuring every course directly applies to your professional needs.
Program Details
- 30 credits
- 100% online, asynchronous courses
- Complete in as few as 24 months
- Three start dates – fall, spring, or summer
Healthcare’s Legal Complexity is Growing. Are You Ready to Lead?
Gain comprehensive expertise through our fully immersive health law programs. With 100% of coursework dedicated to healthcare regulation, compliance, bioethics, and policy, the LLM in Health Law and Policy and MA in Health Law and Policy are not just general legal studies degrees with health law electives. Looking for a quicker career boost? Start with the Certificate in Health Law and Policy. If you choose to continue on for a full degree program, those credits can be applied toward your chosen program.
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Why Choose Hofstra’s MA in Health Law and Policy?
Immersive Health Law Curriculum
Every course focuses exclusively on health law and policy. You'll develop expertise in:
- Healthcare compliance and regulations
- Patient privacy and HIPAA requirements
- Healthcare litigation and risk management
- Medical malpractice law
- Healthcare policy and reform
- Bioethics and healthcare decision-making
Maximum Flexibility, Enhanced Engagement
Study asynchronously to fit your schedule, with optional weekly live virtual sessions for deeper engagement with faculty and classmates. Interactive learning modules and discussion boards connect you with the Hofstra Law community, while recorded sessions ensure you never miss important content.
Build the Legal Fluency Healthcare Employers Value
Healthcare demands more than clinical expertise. It requires professionals who can navigate complex legal frameworks, interpret evolving regulations, and make informed decisions that protect patients and organizations alike.
The online MA in Health Law & Policy helps you build legal fluency from the ground up. Starting with essential legal foundations, you’ll develop specialized expertise in the health law topics that matter most to your career. Then you’ll apply what you’ve learned to solve real-world healthcare challenges. Whether you’re a nurse, administrator, physician, healthcare professional in any role, or are looking to enter the field, this curriculum equips you with the skills to lead with confidence in an increasingly regulated industry.
01
Essentials
Courses:
LAW 2993: Introduction to the American Legal System
LAW 3844: Health Law
Key Skills You’ll Build:
- Understand how the legal system works
- Read and interpret legal information
- Apply legal thinking to healthcare
- Develop evidence-based recommendations
What You Can Do:
Build the legal fluency to understand, interpret, and apply law to real-world healthcare challenges
02
Specialize in Health Law
Courses:
LAW 2909: Medicare and Medicaid Law
LAW 3734: Bioethics and the Law
LAW 2511: The ADA: Statutory Interpretation
LAW 3502: Healthcare Compliance
Key Skills You’ll Build:
- Navigate healthcare laws and regulations
- Assess compliance and regulatory risk
- Analyze Medicare and Medicaid coverage and care
- Navigate complex ethical and legal decisions
What You Can Do:
Apply health law expertise to navigate regulations, manage risk, and make informed decisions across complex healthcare environments
03
Apply in the Real World
Course:
LAW 3503: Health Law and Policy Capstone
Key Skills You’ll Build:
- Conduct rigorous health law research
- Apply legal analysis to real-world problems
- Build and defend an evidence-based argument
- Communicate complex ideas effectively
What You Can Do:
Turn health law research and analysis into evidence-based solutions for complex, real-world healthcare challenges
04
Career Outcomes
Example Roles:
Healthcare Frontline Leadership:
- Charge Nurse
- Director of Nursing
- Chief Medical Officer
- Director of Operations
- CEO
Healthcare Compliance:
- Health Plan Compliance Auditor
- Manager, Medicaid Provider Compliance
- Healthcare Regulatory Compliance Specialist
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
What You Can Do:
Launch or advance your career in healthcare practice or administration
Certificate Pathway Option
Start with our eight-month Certificate in Health Law and Policy (9 credits) for immediate career impact, then seamlessly transfer into the full MA program. This low-risk pathway allows you to experience our program while enhancing your resume from day one.
Career Outcomes
Hofstra Law graduates advance to leadership positions at top healthcare institutions, including:
Career Paths Include:
- Healthcare Compliance Officer
- Risk Management Specialist
- Healthcare Policy Analyst
- Patient Advocate
- Healthcare Administration Leadership
- Medical Practice Manager
- Healthcare Consultant
Who Should Apply?
This program is designed for non-legal professionals working in or adjacent to healthcare, including:
- Healthcare Providers: Physicians, nurses, and clinical professionals seeking to understand legal implications of patient care
- Healthcare Administrators: Professionals managing operations, compliance, or quality assurance
- Social Workers: Patient advocates working with vulnerable populations
- Healthcare Support Staff: Professionals in billing, coding, human resources, or information technology
- Healthcare Entrepreneurs: Individuals starting healthcare-related businesses
Admissions Requirements
Hofstra University welcomes applications from healthcare professionals at all career stages. Requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Professional experience in healthcare or related field (preferred)
- Completed application with personal statement
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
No GMAT or GRE required. No prior legal education necessary.
Affordable Excellence
At under $45,000 total tuition, the MA in Health Law and Policy program delivers exceptional value without compromising educational quality. The curriculum and distinguished faculty provide the credibility and expertise you need to advance your career in healthcare law and policy.