If you are considering a career in compliance, or want to enhance your law degree with specialized compliance expertise, earning a master’s in compliance is a viable option. Although this degree is not required to pursue a career in compliance, it can provide you with a deep understanding of the field and the skills needed to guide companies of various sizes across multiple industries.
Compliance officers carry out important duties. They are responsible for ensuring that public and private organizations follow the laws and regulations governing their industries. As long as laws exist, the role of compliance professionals will remain essential.
You can also pursue a career in compliance law without being an attorney.
This resource will discuss the basics of compliance, describe different compliance degree concentrations and introduce you to possible career opportunities.
Earn an MSL in Corporate Compliance online from Fordham Law School in as few as 12 months. Graduate prepared to handle compliance-related responsibilities in a variety of corporate industries. No GRE, GMAT, or LSAT scores required to apply.
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In the most general sense, compliance means following an order or set of rules. For example, if you wear a seatbelt, you are complying with the law.
Many laws govern the corporate, financial and healthcare sectors among others. To comply with these external rules, organizations may set up internal rules. For example, a business may implement rules governing employee behavior in order to comply with anti-discrimination laws. A hospital may implement a rigorous hiring process to comply with laws regarding the education and training of doctors and nurses.
Compliance professionals ensure their employers comply with the relevant laws and regulations for their business. Every industry has different rules, so no two compliance jobs are identical.
Corporate compliance refers to the internal set of rules that govern an organization. Often, a company’s management, board and stakeholders help establish these rules, which are intended to help the organization meet certain objectives and comply with laws.
Many companies have corporate compliance training programs that cover policies and procedures, which may include employee codes of conduct, safety guidelines and steps for resolving compliance issues.
Corporate compliance refers to a company’s internal rules and policies, while regulatory compliance refers to the external laws and regulations that a company must follow at the local, state and federal levels.
Examples of regulatory compliance include advertising regulations, employment and labor laws, environmental regulations and privacy laws. These laws are designed to safeguard consumers, uphold the rights of employees and protect the environment. Organizations that fail to comply with these regulations can face significant penalties, such as costly fines.
Federal, state and local governments establish rules to protect patients, increase access to healthcare and keep healthcare professionals accountable. Providers often have their hands full, so compliance professionals are responsible for ensuring that healthcare organizations adhere to all applicable laws and regulations. Compliance professionals create and run compliance programs, train staff on compliance topics and address any compliance issues that come up.
One of the most well-known regulations is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects patients’ privacy by keeping their health records confidential. Other important laws include the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), as well as regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
Compliance in financial services involves protecting consumers and investors, keeping the markets fair and transparent and reducing systemic risk and financial crime. Financial services are subject to laws in areas like advertising, communications, customer agreements and due diligence.
Financial compliance professionals are responsible for ensuring their employers follow state and federal regulations. These include rules like the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) — which aims to prevent money laundering — and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA ) — designed to prevent identity theft. Just like in other sectors, rule violations can result in major fines.
A Master of Compliance can prepare you to run corporate compliance programs, advise on rules and regulations and resolve compliance issues. In a compliance study program, you may learn about topics like legislation, risk assessment and financial crime.
Multiple types of compliance degrees are available. You can get a Juris Master (JM), a Master of Science in Law or a Master of Laws (LLM) — all of which can offer a specialization in compliance. You can also focus on an industry, like healthcare or finance.
Though a number of law schools offer master’s in compliance programs, the American Bar Association (ABA) does not accredit non-lawyer degree programs. However, some master’s in compliance programs have been granted acquiescence by the ABA.
Certain programs can prepare master’s in compliance students to sit for compliance certification exams. These certifications are voluntary and can add value to the students’ credentials.
What’s the difference between an LLM and MLS? A Master of Laws (LLM) in compliance often requires you to have a legal background already, typically in the form of a Juris Doctor (JD). If you do not have a JD or equivalent law degree, you may want to consider getting a master’s degree in legal studies, such as a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) or Juris Master (JM) in compliance.
Depending on your career goals, you may want to pursue a master’s in compliance with a specific focus in a particular industry. Many schools offer concentrations in subjects like:
Degrees in relevant concentrations can be suitable for compliance professionals and lawyers who plan on working in specialized industries. For example, someone with a concentration in financial risk management could work in business or finance. A corporate compliance focus could help someone run a company’s internal compliance program. Explore potential concentrations that may interest you and help you reach your professional goals.
Students typically begin their studies by taking foundational classes, such as Introduction to Corporate Compliance. In this class, they can learn about the main features of a successful corporate compliance program.
Elective courses for a master’s in compliance can depend on the type of degree you decide to pursue. Classes may include:
If you want to get your master’s in compliance online, options are available below.
Name of Degree: Masters in Financial Compliance and Risk Management
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations:
The online Master of Legal Studies program from American University Washington College of Law is designed for non-lawyers who could benefit from fundamental legal training but do not want to become practicing attorneys. The program offers industry-specific concentrations and certificates in Business, Health Care Compliance, and Technology. Students who choose the Health Care Compliance track may be eligible to earn an additional certificate accredited by the Compliance Certificate Board (CCB). No GRE/LSAT required.
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: As few as 12 months
Credits: 30
General MLS, Business, Health Care Compliance, Technology, Cybersecurity, U.S. Legislation
Name of Degree: Juris Master Degree
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
In as few as 12 months, learn to advocate for integrity at your organization with a flexible, online M.S.L. in Corporate Compliance from Fordham Law School. No GRE or LSAT required. Choose a program track—general, human resources, financial services, or health care—to gain industry-specific knowledge.
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: As few as 12 months
Credits: 30
General, Human Services, Financial Services, Health Care
Name of Degree: Juris Master (J.M.) in Compliance
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Jurisprudence in Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 24
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Legal Studies in Financial Compliance and Risk Management
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 1+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Name of Degree: Master of Jurisprudence in Corporate and Business Law
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 30
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
Graduates with master’s in compliance degrees can work in business, healthcare, banking, finance, tax, marketing, government or higher education. Compliance courses can prepare you to create and run compliance programs in both private and public sectors. You could work full time at an organization or perform legal reviews as needed for various clients.
Some graduates go into compliance law as practicing attorneys, but others may choose to become a compliance officer. A compliance officer’s main goal is to make sure their employer complies with all laws. While this role can differ based on industry and organization size, compliance officers are generally in charge of running compliance programs, managing risks and giving advice.
Here are some common questions about getting a master’s degree in compliance:
You may consider getting a master’s degree in compliance if you want to become a compliance officer or work in compliance law. This may be a suitable career path for individuals with a background in law, business, finance, management, communication and related areas.
Opportunities to work in compliance are in areas like healthcare, finance, business and government. A compliance degree can give you the foundation and essential skills for specialized work that involves developing and running compliance programs, as well as advising on compliance issues.
If you already have a legal background, a compliance degree can help you pivot or advance your career by giving you a new specialty that’s in demand.
Yes. If you do not have a professional law degree, you might consider getting a master’s degree in legal studies, such as a Master of Legal Studies (MLS), a Master of Studies in Law (MSL), or a Juris Master (JM) in compliance. You can earn these degrees without a JD. On the other hand, a Master of Laws (LLM) does require a legal background and candidates usually have a JD.
Last updated October 2023.
