MA in Medical Sciences – Healthcare Ethics, Policy, and Law Bridge the Gap Between Science and Policy in Healthcare
34
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Prepare to Impact Policy in the Healthcare Field with a Master’s in Medical Science
Healthcare today is shaped by more than medical discovery – it is also driven by policy, ethics, and law. Conferring Liberty University’s online Master of Arts (MA) in Medical Sciences – Healthcare Ethics, Policy, and Law can help you explore the intersection of these fields so you can better understand how science and governance impact one another. By combining advanced study in medical sciences with courses in health law and bioethics, this program can help equip you with the knowledge to evaluate the ethical and legal challenges that come with medical progress.
In this program, you can strengthen your scientific foundation through courses in areas like cancer biology, anatomy, physiology, metabolism, and cellular biology. Alongside these topics, you will examine the legal frameworks and ethical principles that influence decision-making in the healthcare system. This unique combination can help prepare you to analyze the policies that affect patient care, healthcare institutions, and the broader biomedical landscape.
The degree is offered 100% online, giving you the flexibility to pursue graduate-level training while balancing your professional and personal responsibilities. Rooted in Liberty’s commitment to values-driven education, the program integrates discussions of ethics with an awareness of human dignity and the sanctity of life, encouraging you to consider how your work in science and policy can benefit others.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Why Choose a Healthcare Ethics, Policy, and Law Master’s in Medical Science Degree?
Choosing Liberty University for your master’s in medical sciences means studying at an institution where academic rigor is paired with a mission-driven approach to education. You will be taught by experienced faculty who possess expertise in both the sciences and the legal policy arenas, ensuring that your learning is informed by practical knowledge as well as scholarship. The program is designed to help you think critically about how medical advancements are governed, how laws shape health outcomes, and how ethical reasoning can guide decisions in complex healthcare environments.
Liberty’s online learning model is structured to serve students from diverse backgrounds, whether you are seeking to advance in biomedical research, healthcare administration, or policy-related fields. With online courses and virtual learning tools, you can complete your degree from anywhere with internet access while still having the benefit of academic support. The emphasis on flexibility means you can progress toward your educational goals without stepping away from your current commitments.
In addition, Liberty’s values-driven education provides a framework for you to analyze ethical and legal issues not just from a technical perspective but also through the lens of integrity and social responsibility. This approach encourages you to integrate knowledge with moral reflection, helping you consider how healthcare systems can be influenced for the better. By studying in a Christian environment that values both excellence and service, you can prepare to address real-world challenges in ways that prioritize human well-being.
What’s the difference between a Master of Arts (MA) in Medical Science and a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) program?
Liberty University’s Master of Arts (MA) in Medical Sciences – Healthcare Ethics, Policy, and Law is geared toward students interested in pursuing careers that bridge medical science and healthcare law and policy. Quite often, the law and policy side of the aisle cannot “speak” medical sciences, and scientists are not well-versed in the intermingling of policy and law. This degree aims to train you to be proficient in both realms. A Master of Medical Science (MMSc/MMS), on the other hand, is often geared toward the technical aspects of medical education.
What Will You Study in Our Graduate Medical Science Degree in Healthcare Ethics, Policy, and Law?
The curriculum for the MA in Medical Sciences – Healthcare Ethics, Policy, and Law combines core courses in the biological sciences with specialized study in health law and bioethics. You will study topics such as cancer biology, medical anatomy, medical physiology, human metabolism and disease, and cellular biology. These kinds of courses can help you build a strong foundation in biomedical science, giving you the background needed to engage meaningfully with policy and legal discussions that relate to healthcare.
In the healthcare ethics, policy, and law specialization, you will study topics like ethics in health sciences, health law, healthcare and bioethics, healthcare compliance, and healthcare fraud and abuse. These specialized classes allow you to explore the regulatory frameworks that govern healthcare delivery, the ethical challenges that arise in medical practice and research, and the legal standards designed to prevent misuse of healthcare resources. Through this combination of science and law, you can develop the ability to assess how regulations and ethical standards shape patient care and organizational decision-making.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Biomedical scientist
- Clinical research coordinator
- Healthcare ethics professional
- Healthcare law and policy analyst/lobbyist
- Hospital administrator
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the School of Health Sciences.
- View the Graduate Health Sciences Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan
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Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Graduate Full Time | $580/Credit |
|---|---|
| Graduate Part Time | $645/Credit |
| Military Graduate | $290/Credit |
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Liberty’s MA in Medical Sciences – Healthcare Ethics, Policy, and Law Program
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.75 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Additional required prerequisites for success include:
- 2 semesters of general biology with a lab OR 2 semesters of anatomy and physiology with a lab
- 1 semester of organic chemistry with a residential lab (2 semesters recommended)
- 2 semesters of general chemistry with a lab
- Additional recommended courses are biostatistics, physiology (1 year), anatomy (1 year), biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, and genetics
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy
Please see the Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
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