Master’s Degree in Compliance Program Guide

Companies in highly regulated industries like healthcare and finance must follow complex legal guidelines that dictate how they can operate — and this is where compliance comes into play.

An online master’s in compliance trains you to work in corporate compliance departments, ensuring that companies comply with legal standards and regulations. Because different industries hold different regulations, a compliance degree often includes a specialization such as healthcare studies or business law.

While closely related to law, a master’s in compliance is not the same as a law degree, though compliance programs usually fall under the umbrella of legal studies. Most compliance programs offer either a master of legal studies or a master of studies in law. This page uses “master’s in compliance” as a general term to refer to all types of compliance degrees.

Whatever your area of specialization, a master’s degree in compliance gives you a comprehensive understanding of the laws and regulations that govern your chosen field. Other common topics include business ethics, risk management, and methods for assessing compliance. You’ll also gain specialized skills related to a specific area of compliance, such as healthcare, business, or finance.

Most master’s in compliance programs take 1-2 years of full-time study to complete. Accelerated programs may let you graduate in as little as one year, while part-time programs may take more than two years.

After earning your degree, you can pursue careers such as compliance manager, policy specialist, and risk analyst. This degree can be a great choice if you already have some experience in an industry and want to move into more advanced roles in compliance.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

In general, master’s in compliance programs focus on the intersection of law and business, training you as an expert non-lawyer legal professional. The degree curriculum explores relevant laws and internal compliance standards for businesses of all types.

Many programs allow you to focus on one specific area of compliance, such as finance, human resources, or healthcare. Others emphasize general business or corporate compliance. Courses in an online master’s degree in compliance can include:

Completing a master’s in compliance involves many steps in between your application and your graduation. This section outlines typical completion times and admissions requirements for online master’s degree in compliance programs.

Master’s in compliance programs usually take about two years of full-time study to finish. You’ll often complete a program core that builds broad knowledge of law and legal studies, along with more specialized courses in your area of compliance.

Some programs offer accelerated enrollment options, allowing you to finish your degree in as little as 12 months. Accelerated programs require you to take a heavier course load each semester but help you graduate faster.

While different programs maintain different admission requirements, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree at minimum to apply to any online master’s degree in compliance. Some programs may prefer you to have work experience in compliance or a related field, but you typically don’t need a specific undergraduate major to apply.

Admissions requirements vary widely between programs, so always be sure to research each program carefully. Common application components you may need to submit include:

A master’s in compliance is a versatile degree that can lead to careers in many fields. Read on to learn more about typical compliance careers, salary potential, and projected growth.

An online master’s in compliance prepares you for careers in areas including corporate analysis, examination, and compliance management. In general, you can pursue jobs related to business regulation and assessment. Your job prospects after graduation can also depend on what area of specialization you pursue during your studies.

Since compliance relates to many different industries, job growth can vary by field. However, the BLS projects strong growth in many legal studies and compliance-related positions. Financial examiners, for example, should see 20% job growth from 2022-2032, a rate far higher than the national average.

An online master’s degree in compliance can lead to advanced careers with high salary potential. Many compliance careers offer median annual salaries in the six figures, along with solid potential for job growth. With a master’s degree and professional experience, you may qualify for management roles that offer high salary potential.

Salary expectations and growth for compliance careers can also vary widely by career field. For example, human resources managers can expect a high annual salary, while health services managers can expect extremely high job growth.

After earning an online master’s degree in compliance, you have many options when it comes to professional development and continuing education. Mostly commonly, you can earn various compliance certifications to develop your skills in specific areas or industries. A second master’s degree in a related field like business or healthcare management can also help you increase your career prospects.

If you’re interested in taking your studies further, some doctoral programs build on the skills gained in a master’s in compliance. Ph.D. programs aren’t especially common in this field, but they do exist in areas like ethical and legal studies or governance, risk, and compliance. A doctorate typically prepares you for research or academic positions, though you may also find advanced jobs in the private sector.

You have several factors to consider when choosing between different master’s in compliance programs. The section highlights three of the most common concerns for students, including cost, accreditation, and program format.

Cost is a major concern for most students, but there are plenty of ways to save money on your degree. As noted before, public colleges typically charge lower tuition than private colleges. You can also explore financial aid opportunities like scholarships. In general, you want to weigh the cost of tuition against the increased future earnings that can come from earning an advanced degree.

Always make sure your program holds regional and programmatic accreditation, which ensures that your degree offers proper professional training. Any reputable college will hold regional accreditation from one of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s five regional accreditation agencies. Law schools should also hold programmatic accreditation from the American Bar Association. Check your school or program’s “About” page to find accreditation information.

Program format can have a major impact on your educational experience. If you’re a working student, you may appreciate the flexibility of an online or hybrid program, which can make it easier to balance your career and your studies. On the other hand, if you’re ready to dedicate more time to school, an in-person program might be the right choice.