Inside Stetson Law's M.J. Program

At some point in our professional life, we will likely consider a career change. Sometimes it is a desire to move up, move out, or move onto something new, different and exciting. Whatever your reason for a career change, consider earning a master’s degree in a high-demand field, such as health law.

If you are debating about going back to school online, it is important to understand what to expect. Online learning is here to stay and will likely become part of the normal educational progression for the tech-savvy students of tomorrow. For professionals with financial and family obligations, online or distance education is often the only option. However, if you have not taken an online class (or don’t love spending your days and nights on the computer) it can be daunting. 

Whether you are pursuing a new career path in business or are a newly minted college graduate looking to break into your dream career in a multinational corporation, you will likely consider graduate school as a way to reach your goal. 

Congratulations on your college graduation! That is a significant accomplishment. So, what’s next? 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, life expectancy for Americans is now 78.6 years. Seniors, those 65 and older, make up a growing part of the American and world population. In fact, by 2050, seniors are expected to account for 22 percent of the world’s population.

If you are like many early- or mid-career professionals, you have contemplated earning an advanced degree. The Master of Jurisprudence (MJ), also known as a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) or Juris Master (JM), is an increasingly popular option and will provide you with the working knowledge of the law that you need to progress in your career and industry. If your long-term goal does not include becoming an attorney but does require you to get a master’s degree, this is a fantastic option.

Compliance officers play a crucial role in ensuring organizational compliance with all federal, state and local laws that apply to their business. They assess their organization’s operations to make sure that they are following internal policies and industry guidelines. They work to minimize risk and develop training programs for staff, all the way up to the board of directors. Many compliance officers lead accreditation and quality management initiatives.

Healthcare companies invest significant resources into compliance training because it is imperative to stay on top of the evolving landscape of regulations and laws affecting healthcare companies.

If you are like most healthcare professionals, you plan to advance in your career.  Perhaps you wish to become a VP of Risk and Compliance or a Chief Compliance Officer, but lack the advanced understanding of healthcare laws and compliance issues.  The healthcare industry is growing at a rapid pace and employers will need to meet the regulatory demands that come with a growth industry. As a result, they will need well-educated employees who possess graduate degrees in relevant fields, such as the Master of Jurisprudence in Healthcare Compliance (M.J.). 

While a Master of Jurisprudence or M.J. will not allow you to take a bar examination and become a lawyer, the M.J. does have significant benefits, especially for those who work with lawyers, legal issues, deal with contracts and government compliance. This is an advanced degree for non-lawyers, although sometimes lawyers pursue the degree for career enhancement or to become a specialist.