There’s a growing demand for professionals who understand the complex web of state, federal, and international laws and regulations that govern modern organizations' day-to-day operations. Case Western Reserve University School of Law’s compliance and risk management program is designed to meet that demand.
As one of the only concentrated graduate courses of study in the county focusing on governance, risk management and compliance—and the only such master’s program in Ohio—our coursework provides lawyers and non-lawyers with the knowledge and analytical skills needed to be effective.
Careers in Compliance and Risk Management
You may wonder: What is regulatory compliance, and why is it such a big deal? Simply put:
- Regulatory compliance is when a business follows state, federal, and international laws and regulations relevant to its operations.
- All businesses must adhere to certain laws and regulations as part of their operations—no matter the industry or company size.
- The specific requirements can vary, depending largely on the industry and type of business.
Over the last several decades, the sheer volume of laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines that govern businesses has increased dramatically. When a business fails to comply, it can open itself up to lawsuits and serious financial and criminal liability.
This means that the roles of compliance and risk management officers are gaining importance in most businesses. These professionals often report directly to the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Trustees and have a seat at the table during critical policy discussions.
Mirroring the need for compliance experts in the private sector is the need for expertise in the public sector, creating a large and growing number of jobs in dozens of government agencies charged with enforcing laws, regulations, standards and guidelines.
High Demand for Compliance Professionals
Compliance-related jobs are one of the hottest growth areas in the U.S.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an estimated 30,700 jobs opening for compliance officers and 91,300 jobs opening for compliance managers over the next decade.
- In healthcare alone, the Health Care Chief Compliance Officers and Staff Salary Survey (2019) reported an average total compensation of $134,624 for compliance officers.
Certificate Option
If you’re looking to enhance your legal expertise on an accelerated timeline, we offer a certificate in compliance and risk management. The standard certificate program requires 15 credit hours, while a specialized certificate requires 18 credit hours. Learn more about the certificate.
Financial Aid and Admissions
Significant scholarships are available for students in our compliance and risk management program, not to mention financial aid opportunities. Please contact lawmoney@case.edu for more information about these opportunities.
Dual Master’s/JD Degree
For those interested in earning the Master of Compliance Risk Management and a Juris Doctor (JD), up to 12 credit hours can be counted toward both requirements. You must:
- Take the foundational courses and complete a thesis project
- Take “Legislation and Regulation” and “Torts” instead of “Risk Management”
- Take the required courses for your chosen specialization, regardless of whether they are counted toward a JD.
You will also need to take six additional “elective” credits within your chosen specialization. To learn more, contact us at complianceprograms@case.edu.