Ensure Organizational Excellence with the Online MLS in Compliance and Risk Management
Navigate the complex intersection of law, business and risk with William & Mary Law School’s online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) with a Concentration in Compliance and Risk Management. This comprehensive program equips legal and business professionals with the expertise needed to excel in today’s rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
As businesses face increasingly complex regulatory requirements and emerging risks from cybersecurity threats to environmental concerns, organizations across all sectors need skilled professionals who understand both the legal framework and practical implementation of compliance programs. This compliance law degree program addresses this growing demand. The online format allows working professionals like you to advance their careers while maintaining their current responsibilities.
Through a cutting-edge curriculum that incorporates enterprise risk management strategies, regulatory compliance best practices and innovative technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, you can develop the skills necessary to lead compliance initiatives and shape ethical business practices in corporate offices, government agencies, healthcare organizations, non-profit organizations and beyond.
Why Choose This Concentration?
Curriculum
The curriculum is designed by experienced faculty and industry experts who understand the compliance landscape and emerging trends. Gain exposure to technologies and methodologies, including enterprise risk analytics, automated reporting systems and artificial intelligence applications in compliance monitoring. Be prepared for the future of compliance management.
Flexibility
The program’s flexibility allows you to customize your education through carefully selected electives that align with your career goals and industry interests. Whether focusing on cybersecurity and privacy, dispute resolution or project finance, you can develop specialized expertise while maintaining a strong foundation in core compliance principles.
Reputation
The William & Mary brand carries significant weight in legal and business circles, providing you with a competitive advantage in the job market. The alumni network spans across industries and includes leaders in compliance, risk management and regulatory affairs who serve as valuable professional connections and mentors.
Curriculum Details
With an emphasis on strategic thinking and organizational integration, you will be prepared not just to manage compliance programs, but to lead them. Learn to align compliance initiatives with business objectives, making you a valuable asset to your organization and positioning you for leadership roles.
Explore the concentration courses, which make up 16 credits of the 32-credit MLS program.
Risk Management and Liability (4 credits)
The Regulatory Landscape (4 credits)
Compliance Strategy and Organizational Integration (4 credits)
Electives (4 credits)
- Cybersecurity and Privacy (2 credits)
This course provides an overview of cyber- and privacy-related risks, including the laws and regulations that apply to the rapidly changing landscape of cybersecurity and privacy. Students will explore the impacts of security breaches, data privacy vulnerabilities and considerations of the nature of cyber-crime and common strategies used to manage privacy, cyber and information security risks. By the end of the course, students will be able to develop their own cybersecurity and privacy risk assessment and management approaches. - Dispute Resolution (2 credits)
This course introduces students to the concepts and practice of litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Students will develop an understanding of the differences between these different modes of dispute resolution and will assess them from the perspective of the parties, the lawyers and the adjudicators. Through a series of hands-on activities, students will engage in some form of negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Students will also be exposed to innovative dispute resolutions modalities, such as online dispute resolution (ODR). - Project Finance Basics (2 credits)
This course introduces legal, financial and policy considerations at play in domestic and international infrastructure projects. Particular focus will be placed on structuring and financing project investments, and the course will provide a general overview of the legal and regulatory environment for project financing, such as geopolitical risk management and the presence of treaties, conventions and other relevant law. Students will work through the structure, documentation and negotiation of a typical project finance transaction.
Course Spotlight: Compliance Strategy and Organizational Integration
A strategic approach to compliance is required in today’s business environment. This course presents holistic principles of corporate governance and risk management to establish the importance of integrating compliance into organizational strategy and culture. After completing the course, you will be able to identify foundational components of a compliance program, understand the dynamics among various institutional stakeholders and explore best practices around continuous improvement, response and prevention and control monitoring/testing. The objective of this course is to synthesize key compliance elements so that you develop a strategic approach to building and managing compliance programs.
Compliance Career Opportunities
Graduates of the online MLS with a Concentration in Compliance and Risk Management program are positioned for success in diverse and growing career paths. Growth in compliance-related occupations is driven by increasing regulatory complexity and heightened focus on corporate governance and risk management.
Corporate Compliance Roles
Graduates are suited to pursue positions as compliance officers, compliance managers or chief compliance officers in corporations across industries, including financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, technology and manufacturing. These roles involve developing and implementing compliance programs, conducting risk assessments, managing regulatory relationships and ensuring adherence to applicable laws and regulations.
Risk Management Positions
The program prepares graduates for specialized risk management roles such as risk analysts, risk managers and enterprise risk management directors. These professionals identify, assess and mitigate various types of organizational risks, from operational and financial risks to reputational and strategic risks.
Government and Regulatory Agencies
Federal, state and local government agencies actively recruit compliance professionals for roles in regulatory enforcement, policy development and compliance monitoring. Agencies such as the SEC, FDA, EPA and state regulatory bodies offer opportunities for graduates to contribute to the regulatory process from the government perspective.
Consulting and Advisory Services
The growing complexity of compliance requirements has created significant opportunities in compliance consulting. Graduates may join established consulting firms or develop independent practices, providing specialized expertise to organizations seeking to enhance their compliance programs or address specific regulatory challenges.
Healthcare and Non-Profit Sectors
Healthcare organizations face unique compliance challenges related to patient privacy, billing practices and quality standards. Similarly, non-profit organizations must navigate complex regulatory requirements related to governance, fundraising and program management. Graduates find rewarding opportunities in these mission-driven sectors.