Master of Legal Studies Online Program Curriculum
The online MLS curriculum consists of core general law courses and concentration-specific courses to build your expertise in the area of your choosing. The coursework is designed to give you a working knowledge of foundations of law and basic legal concepts. As you move through the program, you will be able to understand and navigate laws and regulations that apply to your work and your industry. You will also learn the invaluable skills needed to successfully interact with legal counsel to manage legal risks.
Select from concentrations in Compliance and Risk Management or Finance. With either concentration, you will earn 32 credits through 10 asynchronous online courses. All admitted students will also be required to complete an online non-credit orientation prior to the start of the first semester.
Review full course descriptions below.
General MLS Courses (16 credits)
Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal System (2 credits)
Law, Ethics and Responsible Leadership (2 credits)
Contract Law: Interpretation and Strategy (4 credits)
Business Associations and Organizational Management (4 credits)
Foundations of Regulatory Law: Antitrust, Privacy, and Tax (4 credits)
Compliance and Risk Management Concentration Courses (16 credits)
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 risk. 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 geo-political 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.
Finance Concentration Courses (16 credits)
Consumer Financial Law (4 credits)
Banking Law Fundamentals (4 credits)
Broker-Dealer and Exchange Regulation (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 risk. 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 geo-political 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.
Legal Mastery, Delivered Online
Full Flexibility
All courses for the MLS are online and 100% asynchronous, meaning you are not required to log in for class at a designated time. Course materials are accessible through the law school’s learning management system and are taught in eight-week sessions during the fall, spring and summer semesters.
Engaging Lessons
Course content is effective and engaging. You will practice legal skills through applied projects, problem-solving activities, document analysis and case studies. You will graduate with a portfolio of work demonstrating your ability to synthesize complex problems and apply legal knowledge to real-world challenges.
Meaningful Connections
Participating in an online program will not deter you from networking. You will connect with your classmates and professors through the online learning platform. For coursework, you will conduct interviews with industry experts, giving you prime access to professionals working in your current or future industry.