The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program is designed for non-law professionals who want to gain an understanding of the U.S. legal system to improve their performance in law-related job responsibilities, understand industry legal challenges, and expand their career opportunities. Students may enter the program in the fall, spring, or summer semester. Students are required to complete online orientation prior to starting their first course.

Required Courses and Credit Hours

The Online MLS requires the completion of 32 credit hours. All courses are offered in a 100 percent asynchronous format. Each course contains optional synchronous elements that provide students opportunities to interact directly with faculty and classmates, though these components are not required. Most students complete the program on a part-time pace in 4 semesters and will enroll for 4-8 credit hours per semester. Students should plan to take courses in the spring, summer, and fall. Students are required to complete a ten-hour, online, asynchronous orientation prior to beginning coursework.

Required Courses

The online MLS curriculum consists of core general law courses, electives, and concentration-specific courses to build expertise in specific topic areas. All core courses are required.

Core Courses (16 credits total)

• LAW 810: Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Systems (3 credits)
• LAW 811: Law, Ethics, and Responsible Leadership (1 credit)
• LAW 812: Contract Law: Interpretation and Strategy (4 credits)
• LAW 813: Business Associations and Organizational Management (4 credits)
• LAW 814: Foundations of Regulatory Law: Antitrust, Privacy, and Tax (4 credits)

Restricted Electives (4 credits total)

Students are required to select and complete 2 elective courses for a total of 4 elective credit hours.

• LAW 890: Cybersecurity and Privacy (2 credits)
• LAW 891: Dispute Resolution (2 credits)
• LAW 892: Project Finance Basics (2 credits)
• LAW 893: Directed Independent Study (variable credit 1-4)

Concentration Courses

Students are required to complete 12 credit hours in their chosen concentration.

Compliance and Risk Management Concentration Courses (12 credits total)

• LAW 830: Risk Management and Liability (4 credits)
• LAW 832: The Regulatory Landscape (4 credits)
• LAW 833: Compliance Strategy and Organizational Integration (4 credits)

Emerging Technologies Law (12 credits total)

• Law 820: AI and the Law (4 credits)
• LAW 821: Cybersecurity and the Law: Compliance, Ethics, and Global Governance (4 credits)
• LAW 822: Ethics and Regulation of Biotech and Health Technologies (4 credits)

Finance Concentration Courses (12 credits total)

• LAW 840: Consumer Financial Law (4 credits)
• LAW 841: Banking Law Fundamentals (4 credits)
• LAW 843: Investment Management Regulation (4 credits)

Health Law (12 credits total)

• LAW 850: Health Law Frameworks and Regulations (4 credits)
• LAW 851: Healthcare Administration: Legal Issues and Risk Management (4 credits)
• LAW 852: Policy, Patient Rights, and Equity in Healthcare (4 credits)