Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration (MLS Health)

The Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration prepares professionals to understand and apply legal and regulatory frameworks in health care settings.

Next start date: January 11, 2027
Total credit hours: 30
Duration: 1+ years
Delivery: Online
Program cost: starting at $35,129*

*Tuition and fee rates range based on enrollment intensity and current-year resident and nonresident rates. The amount listed above estimates the total cost to complete the degree based on 15 credits per semester. Rates will differ based on the number of credits enrolled. Tuition and fees may change each academic year. Prospective and current students are responsible for verifying tuition and fee amounts before registration.

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ASU Law MLS grads stand in front of an ASU Gold semicircle with ASU Maroon plus signs floating above them

Advance your health care career with a MLS in Health Care Compliance and Administration degree

#1 in the U.S. for legal master's graduates

– NCES, 2019 - 2024

The Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration (MLS Health) at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is designed for professionals who work in or plan to enter the health care sector. The program builds knowledge of legal systems, regulatory requirements and compliance practices that affect health care organizations.

The curriculum focuses on how laws and regulations shape health care operations. Students learn to identify legal issues, interpret regulations and apply legal reasoning to operational and compliance challenges. The program supports professionals who want legal training without pursuing a Juris Doctor degree.

This degree serves individuals across clinical, administrative and leadership roles, including physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, medical operations officers and compliance professionals.

Apply today – no entrance exam required

Not requiring an entrance exam allows for a lower barrier to entry, so you can get the education you want, the way you want it.

Our FastApp process fast-tracks your application and only takes 10 minutes. A traditional LSAT, GMAT or GRE exam is not required, and the program features world-renowned faculty and innovative courses to hone your skills. Our MLS Health program can earn you your master's with as little as 10 courses, and our graduates become experts in their field.

*Annual tuition and fee range for residents and non-residents. Prospective students and current students are responsible for verification of tuition costs and fees prior to registration.

Graduates of the MLS Health program will:

Develop and produce professional legal documents using clear structure and appropriate legal reasoning
Analyze legal and regulatory issues affecting the health care industry, including compliance, privacy and risk
Apply legal research and analysis to real-world compliance and administration scenarios
Evaluate and support compliance programs within health care organizations

These outcomes prepare graduates to address regulatory requirements, manage risk and support ethical operations in health care environments.

The Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration program operates within ASU Law, an ABA-accredited law school, and aligns with professional certification pathways with organizations like the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) and the Compliance Certification Board (CCB). This accreditation provides MLS graduates the ability to enhance their credibility with organizations, peers and strengthen the credibility of their compliance programs they develop, implement and maintain.

Explore how professional certifications can help advance your career.

The Master of Legal Studies degree helps professionals gain a deep understanding of how the law impacts their industry — without becoming a lawyer. This graduate program builds valuable skills in legal analysis, regulatory compliance and policy interpretation, empowering you to make informed, ethical decisions at work. An MLS Health degree can boost your career by enhancing your credibility and opening doors to leadership roles.

At ASU Law, the MLS Health also aligns with respected professional certifications like CCB, HCCA, SCCE and SHRM, giving graduates a competitive edge in fields such as corporate and health care compliance. Ultimately, the MLS Health equips you to navigate complex regulations, mitigate risk and lead with confidence in an increasingly regulated world.

There are several key differences between a legal master's and traditional Juris Doctor:

Practice of law: Unlike the JD program, the MLS Health enables you to advance in your field with legal skills – without becoming a licensed attorney.
Specialized curriculum and practical focus: Emphasizes real-world application of legal skills in the medical and health care fields.
Professional certificate alignment: First law school program fully aligned with professional standards.

Explore the differences between the legal master's and JD further.

Current students in the Master of Legal Studies program with an emphasis in Corporate and Health Care Compliance or Health Care Law and Administration may be eligible to transfer their credits into the MLS Health degree. Interested students should speak with the College of Law’s director of academic advising, Annie Stone, for more information at [email protected].

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Why ASU Law?

ASU Law is a highly ranked and respected public law school dedicated to educating the next generation of legal professionals. In honor of its namesake, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, public service is at its core, and is committed to advancing justice in the communities it serves. Learning from some of the nation’s foremost scholars and innovative legal instructors, ASU Law graduates are educated to become skilled and compassionate advocates and difference-makers.

Explore ASU Law

Top 25%

of law schools in the U.S.

– U.S. News and World Report, 2027

#16

best Health Care Law program in the U.S.

Ahead of Michigan, Duke and UC-Berkeley

– U.S. News & World Report, 2027

#1

ASU worldwide rank for education, employability, faculty and research

– Center for World University Rankings, 2024

7:1

student-to-faculty ratio

Small class sizes and accessible faculty enhance classroom discussions and encourage the sharing of diverse perspectives.

Experiential learning opportunities

Whether through public interest and service or engagement in student-led organizations, ASU Law offers real-world opportunities that empower students to develop specialized legal skills and become leaders in their industries.

Academic details

MLS Health curriculum

In addition to completing required foundational and core courses, students in the Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration program select elective coursework that counts toward the total 30 credit hours. These courses focus on health care law, compliance, privacy, risk management and related regulatory areas.

Students may also choose electives that support individual career goals or expand knowledge in complementary legal topics. The degree culminates in a three-credit capstone course focused on applying legal and compliance knowledge to real-world health care scenarios. During the capstone, students evaluate regulatory and statutory requirements, assess compliance challenges and apply legal reasoning to operational decision-making in health care organizations.

Required courses

U.S. Law and Legal Analysis
Healthcare Administration Law
Healthcare Industry Compliance
Capstone

Elective courses (sampling)

Admin Agencies and Regulations
Compliance and Ethics
Data Privacy and Protection
Risk Assessment and Management
Conducting Fact Investigations

Students are also able to choose elective courses that present an opportunity to explore other legal areas that may interest them or be pertinent to their chosen career path. The degree culminates in a three-credit capstone course that focuses on the practical application of knowledge and skills gained during the degree.

During the capstone course, students will evaluate the impact of various statutory and regulatory laws that affect the day-to-day operations of a human resources professional, learn how to successfully navigate the challenges these laws present and manage relationships with varying employee groups at all organizational levels.

Complete your MLS Health degree online

Earn a master’s degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law with flexible online or in-person options. Students access the same faculty and curriculum across modalities, with support services designed to assist working professionals throughout the program.

Explore online degrees

An ASU Law legal master's graduate smiles while waiting for her convocation ceremony to begin

Career Services faculty hosting a speed coaching networking event

Career outlook and services

The Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration program aligns with growing demand for professionals with compliance and regulatory expertise in health care. Graduates go on to start their own companies or move up in their existing careers. In every case, knowledge of the legal field enhances their professional life and shapes their way of thinking.

Projected job growth for compliance managers is approximately 9.77% by 2033
Compliance officer roles show continued national growth
Median annual wage for compliance officers is approximately $75,670

Graduates may pursue roles in health care administration, compliance management, risk management and regulatory oversight across hospitals, clinics and related organizations

Career Services at ASU Law can help students identify goals, find employment opportunities and help students pursue their passions. The Career Services team offers hands-on interview preparation, resume reviews and the guidance job seekers need as they enter the workforce. That resource is available to students the moment they start their ASU Law journey and lasts long after graduation.

Explore Career Services

Frequently asked questions

Program FAQ

Generally speaking, most jurisdictions require a three-year Juris Doctor (JD) degree and passage of a state bar exam for eligibility to practice law in the United States. Graduates of the MLS Health program will be well-equipped to navigate the legal issues in their chosen career fields, but will not be eligible to practice law.

There have been MLS graduates who decided they wanted to practice law and went on to pursue a JD degree. Unfortunately, there are many requirements in place to gain entry into a JD program that are different from the requirements to get into our master’s programs – e.g., LSAT scores, ABA restrictions, etc. For these reasons, MLS Health credits will not be accepted for transfer if and when you decide to pursue a Juris Doctor program. If you wish to discuss both options, please contact us at [email protected].

Credits earned through the MLS Health program cannot be transferred to a Juris Doctor (JD) program. Only JD credits can be transferred to a JD program.

Online master’s students should refer to the ASU Academic Calendar for their official start dates. Once you are registered, you can also view the start and end dates of your classes under My Classes in MyASU.

Online master’s students should refer to the ASU Academic Calendar for registration dates. The academic advising team will contact students when the class schedule and registration dates become available.

Students may pursue another degree or certificate program concurrently with the MLS Health. The College of Law allows students to share up to six credit hours towards another degree program. Interested students should speak with the College of Law’s director of academic advising, Annie Stone, for more information at [email protected].

All program modality changes must be approved by the College of Law. If approved, changes are granted on a one-time basis.

The MLS Health degree program courses are online only. All program modality changes must be approved by the College of Law. If approved, changes are granted on a one-time basis.

Admissions FAQ

You can explore full application details on the MLS Health admissions page.

Fall - July 26
Summer - April 27
Spring - December 16

To be admitted to the MLS Health program, an applicant must have both:

Completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States or attained a comparable degree from a foreign institution
Submitted a Full application or Fast App to the program.

Selection will be based on a variety of factors, including academic background and potential, diversity of experience and background, career experience and ambitions, space and resource limitations in the law school, and any other factors.

International educated applicants must submit a Full Application, meet University and College English Proficiency requirements, and have their transcripts evaluated by an ASU-approved transcript evaluation service. Explore more information about how foreign-educated applicants can apply.

Graduate entrance exams are not required for admission.

The majority of applicants apply through the Fast App for its convenience and simplicity. The Full App is recommended for applicants who would like to provide a more comprehensive graduate application to the Admissions Committee. The Full App requires a personal statement, along with other materials. The personal statement is an opportunity for the applicant to highlight their professional and academic achievements, career goals, and address any challenges they have overcome. The choice between Fast App and Full App depends on how thoroughly you wish to represent your experiences and qualifications.

Applicants may submit only one application per semester.

A community college transcript is only required if the college awarded a bachelor's degree or if transfer credits are not reflected on the transcript from the institution that conferred the bachelor's degree.

An undergraduate transcript that includes the degree awarded and the conferral date is required for application review. If you are currently completing your degree, we can accept an in-progress transcript, but it must show the courses in which you are currently enrolled.

Yes, if applicable to you, please include all graduate transcripts where credit was earned.

Yes, if applicable to you, please include your JD transcripts where academic credit was earned.

Please request that your official transcripts be sent directly from your institution to [email protected]. Official transcripts must be sent by the institution – not by the student – or they will be considered unofficial. The transcript must include your degree information and graduation date.

You can request your official transcript to be mailed to Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at 111 E. Taylor Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Official transcripts must be sealed in the original envelope provided by the issuing institution.

We do not offer an application status checker. The general timeline for an applicant to receive an update from the college is 1-2 weeks. If your application falls over this period, you can email us at [email protected] for further information.

You will receive follow-up emails within 1-3 days of accepting your offer of admission. These emails will include the information you will need to register for classes and your academic advisor’s contact information.

Students may defer their admission to a future term, up to one year from their original start date. To begin the deferral process, please submit the deferral form.

Financial Aid FAQ

The cost of this program can be found on the tuition and fees page. For more information about the program and tuition fees, please reach out to Eric Border at [email protected].

Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration (MLS Health)

On This Page:

Advance your health care career with a MLS in Health Care Compliance and Administration degree

#1 in the U.S. for legal master's graduates

– NCES, 2019 - 2024

Apply today – no entrance exam required

Learning outcomes

Accreditations

How can a legal master's degree help you?

Legal master's vs. traditional Juris Doctor

Current MLS students

Request MLS Health information

Why ASU Law?

Top 25%

of law schools in the U.S.

#16

best Health Care Law program in the U.S.

#1

ASU worldwide rank for education, employability, faculty and research

7:1

student-to-faculty ratio

Experiential learning opportunities

Academic details

MLS Health curriculum

Required courses

Elective courses (sampling)

Complete your MLS Health degree online

Career outlook and services

Frequently asked questions

Program FAQ

Will the Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration (MLS Health) prepare me for a JD program?

Can credits from the Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration (MLS Health) be applied toward a JD program?

When do classes begin?

When can I register for classes?

Can I pursue another degree concurrently with the Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration (MLS Health)?

Can I switch from the on-campus program to the online program after enrolling?

Can I switch from the online program to the on-campus program after enrolling?

Admissions FAQ

What are the application deadlines?

What are the application requirements?

Are graduate entrance exams required for admission to the Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration (MLS Health) program?

Should I apply using the FastApp process or the Full Application?

Can I submit more than one application?

Do I need to submit my community college transcript?

Do I need to submit my undergraduate university transcript?

Do I need to submit my graduate school transcript?

Do I need to submit my JD transcript?

Where should I send my official transcripts?

What should I do if my institution cannot send transcripts electronically?

How can I check the status of my application?

What steps are required after I accept my offer of admission?

Can I defer my admission to a future term?

Financial Aid FAQ

What is the cost of this program?