Master the Legal Landscape of Emerging Technologies
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Online Master of Legal Studies
Law and Emerging Technologies Concentration

Tech and Law Meet with the Online MLS in Law and Emerging Technologies

The digital revolution is reshaping every aspect of our society, from how we work and communicate to how we make decisions and conduct business. As artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity and biotechnology continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the legal frameworks governing these innovations are struggling to keep up. This creates both challenges and extraordinary opportunities for professionals who understand the intersection of law and technology.

William & Mary Law School’s online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) with a Concentration in Law and Emerging Technologies is designed for non-lawyers who want to build expertise in this critical and rapidly growing field. The comprehensive 16-credit concentration provides you with a strong foundation in the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern cutting-edge technologies, while developing your skills in cyber risk assessment, legal analysis and compliance strategy.

Whether you’re a technology professional, business executive, healthcare administrator or policymaker, this concentration will equip you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex legal landscape of emerging technologies.

Key Details

  • 100% online, asynchronous courses
  • 32 credits
  • 4 concentrations
  • 8-week courses, 2 courses per semester
  • Total Estimated Tuition: $41,216
  • Time to Completion: 16 months

Application Deadlines Spring 2026

  • Priority Deadline: November 4
  • Final Deadline: December 1
  • Start Date: January 5

Why Choose This Concentration?

Industry-Leading Curriculum

The Law and Emerging Technologies concentration addresses the most pressing legal challenges facing technology professionals today. From AI governance and blockchain regulation to cybersecurity compliance and biotech ethics, the curriculum covers the full spectrum of emerging technology law. The program is specifically designed for non-lawyers, making complex legal concepts accessible and practical for professionals across industries.

Real-World Application

Every course in this concentration emphasizes practical application through real-world case studies, comparative legal perspectives and hands-on activities. You’ll gain actionable insights that you can immediately apply in your professional context, whether you’re developing AI systems, managing cybersecurity risks or navigating biotech regulations.

Flexible Online Format

The fully online program allows you to advance your expertise while maintaining your professional commitments. The flexible format enables working professionals to engage with cutting-edge legal concepts and frameworks without disrupting their careers.

Expert Faculty and Global Perspective

Learn from William & Mary Law School’s distinguished faculty and industry experts who bring both academic rigor and practical experience to the classroom. The curriculum incorporates global perspectives, examining how different legal systems approach technology regulation to provide you with comprehensive insights into international best practices.

Career Advancement Opportunities

As organizations across all sectors grapple with technology-related legal challenges, professionals with expertise in emerging technology law are in high demand. This concentration positions you as a valuable asset to employers seeking to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of the digital age.

Curriculum Details

Learn to identify and evaluate risks related to data breaches, privacy concerns and intellectual property challenges in an increasingly digital world, while exploring comparative approaches from different legal systems to inform best practices and compliance strategies.

Explore the concentration courses, which make up 16 credits of the 32-credit MLS program.

AI and the Law (4 credits)

This course offers a comprehensive and practical exploration of how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things, data analytics, blockchain and cryptoassets are reshaping society, business and human interactions. Designed for non-lawyers, the course examines key legal and regulatory issues, including privacy, data security, liability, intellectual property and national security.

Students will also explore how AI systems (from machine learning to large language models and more) are transforming decision-making, business practices and self-expression, prompting policymakers worldwide to overhaul legal frameworks in response. The course examines these developments, focusing on topics such as algorithmic accountability, evolving employment models and the regulation of digital and decentralized systems.


Through real-world case studies and comparative legal perspectives, students will gain practical knowledge of how these technologies affect their personal and professional lives, empowering them to navigate and address the legal, ethical and policy dimensions of a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Cybersecurity and the Law: Compliance, Ethics and Global Governance (4 credits)

This course examines the legal, ethical and regulatory dimensions of cybersecurity in a globalized and rapidly evolving threat landscape. Students will explore the laws, standards and liabilities governing cybersecurity, focusing on critical threats such as ransomware, insider risks, state-sponsored attacks, industrial cyber espionage and AI-driven vulnerabilities. The course emphasizes the importance of cyber risk management, providing practical insights into identifying, mitigating and addressing these threats.

The role of corporate boards and governance in overseeing cybersecurity programs and compliance efforts is a key focus, alongside the responsibilities of government agencies (e.g., DOJ, NSA, SEC and CISA) and international counterparts. The course will explore industrial cyber espionage and its broader implications for businesses and national security. Students will also examine topics such as regulatory compliance and cyber investigations and the balance between public and private sector responsibilities.

By the end of the course, students will understand how to assess and manage cybersecurity risks within an organization, comply with relevant regulations and contribute to a culture of accountability and resilience in the face of cyber threats.

Ethics and Regulation of Biotech and Health Technologies (4 credits)

Biotechnology and health technologies are among the most dynamic domains for emerging innovations, driving breakthroughs that reshape healthcare, agriculture and industry. This course explores the legal, regulatory and ethical challenges posed by advancements in biotechnology and health technologies, focusing on real-world implications for society, businesses and individuals. Students will examine regulatory frameworks for innovations such as gene editing (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9), precision medicine and AI-driven health tools, with particular attention to the roles of agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Key topics include the regulation of drug and biologic development, genetic testing and reproductive technologies; the ethics of genomic data use, equity in biotechnology access and intellectual property in biotech innovations; and the social implications of emerging health technologies, from pandemic surveillance to neuroengineering. Students will also consider ethical frameworks for addressing issues like diversity, inclusion and global access.

By the end of the course, students will be equipped with practical tools for evaluating and managing the legal, ethical and regulatory dimensions of biotech and health technologies, ensuring responsible innovation in their professional contexts.

Electives (4 credits)

Students will choose two courses from the following options:
  • 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.

View Full Program Curriculum

Course Spotlight: AI and the Law

This course offers a comprehensive and practical exploration of how artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things, data analytics, blockchain and cryptoassets are reshaping society, business and human interactions. Designed for non-lawyers, the course examines key legal and regulatory issues, including privacy, data security, liability, intellectual property and national security. Explore how AI systems (from machine learning to large language models and more) are transforming decision-making, business practices and self-expression, prompting policymakers worldwide to overhaul legal frameworks in response.

Team of workers looking on laptop

Career Opportunities

Changing regulations and advancing legal technologies are driving a need for dynamic legal professionals who are also well-versed in technology and project management. Check out some of the career opportunities you may be well-positioned for if you choose to pursue this concentration.

man in a suit at a desk with a laptop

Technology Compliance and Risk Management

Graduates are well-positioned for roles in technology compliance, where they can help organizations navigate complex regulatory requirements for AI systems, data privacy and cybersecurity. These positions are increasingly critical as companies face growing regulatory scrutiny and the need for sophisticated risk management strategies.

group listening to a team lead speak

Legal Technology and Innovation

The legal industry itself is undergoing digital transformation, creating opportunities for professionals who understand both legal principles and technology. Graduates can work with law firms, legal technology companies or corporate legal departments to implement and manage technology solutions while ensuring compliance with professional and regulatory standards.

building with a round doric columned facade

Government and Policy Roles

Federal and state agencies, as well as international organizations, need professionals who can analyze the legal implications of emerging technologies and help develop appropriate regulatory frameworks. Graduates may find opportunities with agencies like CISA, the FTC, FDA or state regulatory bodies.

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Corporate Strategy and Consulting

Technology companies, healthcare organizations, financial institutions and consulting firms increasingly need professionals who can assess legal risks and opportunities associated with emerging technologies. These roles often involve strategic planning, merger and acquisition support and technology implementation guidance.

woman and a man looking at a laptop together

Entrepreneurship and Startups

The knowledge gained in this program is invaluable for entrepreneurs developing technology-based businesses or for professionals joining innovative startups that need to navigate complex legal landscapes while bringing new products and services to market.

Explore More MLS Careers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is emerging technology law?
Emerging technology law encompasses the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern new and rapidly evolving technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity systems and biotechnology innovations. This field addresses how existing laws apply to new technologies and how legal systems must adapt to address novel challenges and opportunities.

How do emerging technologies challenge existing laws?
Emerging technologies often operate in ways that weren’t anticipated when current laws were written, creating gaps in regulation and enforcement. For example, AI decision-making systems raise questions about liability and accountability that traditional legal frameworks don’t clearly address. Similarly, blockchain technologies challenge conventional approaches to contracts, currency regulation and data management.

Which legal fields are impacted by new technologies?
Virtually every area of law is being transformed by emerging technologies, including privacy and data protection, intellectual property, contract law, employment law, healthcare regulation, financial services regulation and criminal law. This broad impact makes technology law expertise valuable across many industries and practice areas.

What careers exist in technology law?
Career opportunities include compliance officer roles, risk management positions, policy analyst roles in government agencies, legal technology consulting, corporate strategy positions focused on technology implementation and specialized roles in emerging technology companies. Many traditional legal and business roles now require technology law expertise.

What are the legal concerns with AI?
Key legal concerns include algorithmic bias and discrimination, privacy and data protection issues, liability for AI-generated decisions or content, intellectual property questions around AI-created works, employment law implications of AI automation and the need for transparency and accountability in AI systems.1

How is AI regulated in the U.S.?
AI regulation in the U.S. is currently evolving through a combination of existing laws applied to AI systems, new federal and state legislation, agency guidance and enforcement actions and industry self-regulation initiatives. The regulatory landscape includes oversight from agencies like the FTC, SEC and EEOC, each applying their jurisdiction to AI-related issues.2

What is AI governance in legal contexts?
AI governance refers to the frameworks, policies and processes organizations use to ensure AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly, ethically and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This includes risk assessment procedures, oversight mechanisms, transparency requirements and accountability measures.3

Master the Law Without a J.D.

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William & Mary MLS Application Deadlines for Spring 2026

Nov
4
Priority Deadline
November 4
Spring 2026
Dec
1
Final Deadline
December 1
Spring 2026
Jan
5
Start Date
January 5
Spring 2026
Sources
  1. Retrieved on June 25, 2025, from americanbar.org/groups/business_law/resources/business-law-today/2024-april/big-data-big-problems/
  2. Retrieved on June 25, 2025, from whitecase.com/insight-our-thinking/ai-watch-global-regulatory-tracker-united-states
  3. Retrieved on June 25, 2025, from ibm.com/think/topics/ai-governance