Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance is no longer accepting new applicants. The program is being redesigned for the new College of Business. Stay tuned for new programming in the Fall of 2025

Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance

100% Online Certificate

Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance

Professionals dedicated to healthcare compliance are needed to oversee the redesign of health models.

UNE Online’s Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance focuses on navigating the complex governing regulations in healthcare with the goal of improving the patient experience of care and health outcomes. This certificate is designed for professionals looking to support organizations with meeting and sustaining legal compliance in all aspects of healthcare.

Students in the Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance program explore laws and regulations regarding healthcare data and the collection, management, privacy, technology and security of that patient data. This graduate certificate develops students’ understanding of the healthcare regulatory framework, delivers insight into the policies of the U.S. healthcare system, and strengthens the skills needed to advocate for advanced care.

Why Choose the University of New England Online?

Fully Online

Fully Online

Courses are delivered fully online, allowing you flexibility to complete coursework around your schedule.

6 Start Opportunities Per Year

6 Start Opportunities Per Year

With six start times a year, students can begin the certificate at a time that works best for them.

HIMSS Approved Education Partner

HIMSS Approved Education Partner

We are proud be a part of an exclusive group of organizations authorized to offer HIMSS-approved healthcare education and training programs.

Supportive

Supportive

Students will have an academic advisor to help with course selection based on their individual needs, and will benefit from engaged faculty and a student support team.

Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance Program Outcomes

Students who successfully earn the Health Policy, Law, and Compliance graduate certificate are able to:

  • Develop healthcare quality improvement proposals that align with the complex system of legal and regulatory compliance that governs the healthcare system
  • Analyze significant policies that have shaped the American healthcare system
  • Critically evaluate healthcare interests and goals to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice

Admissions

Successful applicants to UNE Online’s Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance will possess a strong understanding of the role data plays in advancing community health, a demonstrated ability to succeed academically, and the capacity to master a broad range of disciplines crucial for career success.

We review applicants in a comprehensive manner, taking into consideration their previous academic coursework, professional experiences and application materials.

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • No GRE Required

How to Apply:

Create an Online Portal Account to begin your application. To complete your online application you will need:

  • Current Resume/CV
  • Goal Statement/Essay: 500-1000 word essay describing your goals, relevant professional experience, and interest in advanced learning in your chosen field. Applicants should also address their capacity to succeed in a distance learning format.
  • Official transcripts
  • Apply now for free!

Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance curriculum is 100% online and the flexible format is designed to fit into the lives of working professionals. All courses are graduate level and taught in eight-week terms (two terms per semester). The Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance is two semesters in length (~ eight months). However, to accelerate earning your certificate, you may complete the program in four to six months by taking more than one course each eight-week term. There are six start times per year.

This course provides an overview of the history, challenges, and opportunities facing healthcare administrators today. Topics will include the ongoing transition from a pay-for-services model of healthcare delivery to accountable care networks, emerging public health and healthcare partnerships, and the need for analytics that can address the particular characteristics of big health data.

This course explores legislation and regulation relating to health informatics. The course will examine the major laws and agency regulations governing healthcare technology, data collection, management, and privacy, as well as the security standards required for healthcare and health-related organizations. Students will explore the intent behind, and ethical dimensions of health informatics regulatory frameworks, using case studies of recent health information uses, security breaches, and challenges to interoperability. This course will also look ahead to the impact of future Health IT regulations

This course explores the range of legal and ethical issues facing healthcare administrators and providers. Students will gain expertise analyzing legal and ethical dimensions of healthcare from administrative, clinical, and organizational perspectives. Current issues, as well as perennial conflicts in healthcare law and ethics, will provide real-world case studies for students to research and debate. Throughout the course, students will gain practice integrating core healthcare law and ethics concepts and practices into their leadership approaches to ensuring excellent patient care.

This course brings together graduate students in public health, education, social work, nutrition, and health informatics to work collaboratively to learn the fundamentals of policy-making as applied to the broad issue of student health in an educational setting. Students work in interprofessional groups to identify the social problem, describe the policy context, map potential policy solutions, and make final recommendations in an individually written policy analysis that incorporates learning from their interprofessional peers. Students will explore the structure and function of government systems as they relate to values-driven policy decisions.

 

Stacking Credits
Students who successfully complete the graduate certificate can “stack” earned credits into UNE’s 100% online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree program. This can be done immediately or within several years after completion of the graduate certificate. Speak with an enrollment counselor for more information.

Transfer Credit Policy
Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to one, 3-credit course into the Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance program. In order to be considered for transfer, the course must be classified as graduate level, have been taken within five years of application, completed with a grade of “B” or better, and be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education. Speak with an enrollment counselor for more information.

Tuition and Fees

Program cost for The University of New England Online’s Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance is $830/credit,* and because all of our courses are delivered 100% online, you will not incur the cost of traveling or relocating to complete your certificate. (*Note: Tuition is subject to change. Listed tuition does not include the cost of fees, books, or additional credits that may be required, etc. Contact student Financial Services to learn more.)

Cost per
Credit: $830

# of Credits: 12

Typical Cost: $9,960

 

General Services Fee (per semester, non-refundable for matriculated students)
$80
Tuition (per credit hour)
$830
Technology Fee (per semester)
$160
Registration Fee (non-matriculated students per semester)
$30

Accreditation

When choosing an institution of higher education, you want to be sure your investment will hold value upon completion. We are proud to hold NECHE (New England Commission on Higher Education) accreditation at the University of New England and for our graduate programs. NECHE Accreditation ensures a high level of academic quality and public accountability for the education being provided.

HIMSS Approved Education Partner

The University of New England is proud to join an exclusive group of organizations authorized to offer HIMSS-approved healthcare education and training programs. In earning the designation, UNE has demonstrated educational development that meets rigorous standards of quality established by HIMSS and prepares students for advanced learning of healthcare principles.

Faculty

The University of New England Online’s Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management faculty and staff are top-notch. They are a team of dedicated professionals who are active and respected in the healthcare field. Meet the MHA Faculty

Student Support & Resources

At the University of New England Online, we are committed to providing our students with the highest level of academic and personal support. We understand the unique challenge of adult students who are often juggling school, career and family, which is why we offer a robust Student Academic Success Center (SASC) and high-touch academic advising. Learn more about Student Support and Resources.  

FAQ

Admissions

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, six times per year for our Healthcare Administration graduate programs. Contact an Enrollment Counselor for program and enrollment information: (866) 722-5096 or healthcareadmin@une.edu

Applications are reviewed holistically as a determination of academic readiness. The admissions committee values previous academic performance as indicated on transcripts and considers it as part of the review process.

 

Registration

The online Healthcare Administration programs offers six terms of enrollment per year. Each term consists of two 8-week sessions. Students are eligible to take more than one course per session for accelerated learning.

Students taking one course per 8-week session are considered full time students, and eligible to receive financial aid.

No. The Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance program is completed 100% online in an asynchronous format with no campus visits required. Students are welcome to visit campus and we offer all on-campus resources to online students.

 

Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance Program

Students must successfully complete 12 credit hours in order to earn the Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance, which includes completion of the capstone project. How long does it take to complete the Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance program? The flexibility of our program allows you to complete your degree in as little as 18 months. If you are interested in tailoring your academic plan, please contact an enrollment counselor at healthcareadmin@une.edu.

We design the online classroom experience to suit the demanding schedule of full-time professionals. And recommend students log in to courses 3-5 times per week. Program assignments will vary by course and be shaped for best content delivery. These assignments include discussion boards, written papers, reading, exams, and collaborative group work.

For the best outcomes, our student support specialists recommend that you reserve 15-20 hours a week for coursework and studying.

 

Transfer Credits

Yes. Upon acceptance, Health Policy, Law, and Compliance Graduate Certificate students may apply to transfer up to one, 3-credit course (maximum three semester credits) into the program.

Yes, students who successfully complete any of the related graduate certifications (Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics, Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Data, Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management, Graduate Certificate in Health Data Quality, Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management, and Graduate Certificate in Health, Law, and Compliance) can “stack” their 12 earned credits into UNE’s 100% online 36-credit Master of Healthcare Administration or the Master of Science in Health Informatics degree program. This can be done immediately or within several years after completion of the graduate certificate. Reach out to an enrollment counselor at healthcareadmin@une.edu or (866) 722-5096 for more details on this opportunity.

 

Student Support

Our motto is “A successful student is a supported student.” And we take that to heart. Upon entering the program, you will be assigned a dedicated Student Support Specialist to provide you with support and to answer any questions you may have.

Your Support Specialist is your on-the-ground advocate at the University – from questions on textbooks, to registration, to financial aid and more, they are there to help you make your academic journey successful. And of course, this dedicated support is provided in addition to the tremendous support you will receive from program staff, your academic advisor, course instructors and fellow classmates.

The Graduate Certificate in Health Policy, Law, and Compliance program uses the Brightspace D2L Learning Management System.

 

Accreditation

Yes, the University of New England is regionally accredited, the most prestigious and widely-recognized type of accreditation, by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). To learn more, please see www.une.edu/accreditation/.

Additionally, The University of New England is a proud HIMSS Approved Education Partner. This designation demonstrates our commitment to delivering world-class, effective healthcare education and authorizes UNE to prepare students for advanced knowledge in healthcare, including earning the CAHIMS or CPHIMS certification.

 

Financial Information

Tuition information for the Graduate Certificate in Emergency Management can be found in the tuition costs section.

UNE is proud to be among ‘America’s Top Colleges’ according to Forbes and one of the ‘Best Colleges for your Money’ based on a 2019 MONEY magazine ranking. We value each graduate’s return on investment and ensure academic quality translates to higher earnings. More than 90% of our students receive some form of financial aid. Please visit our financial aid page for more information.