Curriculum: Master of Legal Studies

Next Term Application Deadline

12.15.2024

Total Credits

Next Term Starts

01.13.2025

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Curriculum at a Glance

The comprehensive course curriculum is designed to help you benefit from a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. Legal system. The program will cover two introductory courses and eight upper-level courses that concentrate on business-related subjects, building on and eventually supplementing, UC College of Law’s strength in business law.

The program will also help you to stay ahead of current legal trends and issues. Many graduates of our online Master of Legal Studies degree program advance in their current careers upon obtaining new skills and knowledge pertaining to the legal system.

Master of Legal Studies Program Highlights:

Graduate in as few as 1.5 years taking 6 credits per semester for 5 total semesters
7 week courses and a total of 30 semester hours taught 100% online
Three enrollment periods each year: fall, spring, and summer
Curriculum combines cutting-edge theory with real-world application

Course	Title / Description	Credit
LAW6001	Introduction to Law Course: LAW6001 Credit: 3 The course introduces students to the essential vocabulary and concepts needed to work within the U.S. legal system. The course provides an introduction to substantive areas of the law which serve as the foundation for upper-level courses. The Constitutional Law portion of this course introduces students to the Constitution’s enumeration and limitation of the powers of the national government, the principles of federalism and the sovereignty of states in the federal system, the distribution of powers across the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the national government, and the practice of judicial review. Additional content areas included Tort Law and Property Law may be included. Finally, this course will also include an orientation to the MLS program.	3
LAW6002	Legal Research and Communication Course: LAW6002 Credit: 3 This course introduces students to different levels of legal authorities, from the legislative bodies to administrative agencies, and to the court system. Students will learn the relationship between federal and state authorities, and the hierarchical structures within the federal and state court systems. The course will also teach methods for identifying and locating the right authority on an issue of consideration. The course will allow students to hone their writing skills with an emphasis on formulating well documented legal positions in a clear and concise style.	3
LAW6003	Business Law Course: LAW6003 Credit: 3 This course covers major topics in the law of agency, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations, as well as select aspects of the federal securities laws. Using real-world examples and documents, students will learn the default legal rules governing the internal and external relationships of business entities. Students also will consider ethical issues relevant to the substantive legal issues addressed in the course.	3
LAW6004	Compliance Course: LAW6004 Credit: 3 This course focuses on the importance for business entities to adopt strong internal controls, federal and state regulation of minimum internal control standards, and best practices with respect to structuring internal controls. Students will evaluate control paradigms against the goal of maintaining efficient communication channels between management and employees, ensuring the accuracy of information submitted to regulatory authorities, and detecting illegal or disruptive conduct in a timely manner. The course will also discuss investigation protocols as well as issues and challenges in the investigation process. Students will consider ethical issues relevant to the substantive legal issues addressed in the course.	3
LAW6005	Risk Management Course: LAW6005 Credit: 3 This course introduces students to best practices related to the management of legal and related business risk. The course explores risk management processes and strategies as well as the metrics used to measure compliance with regulations. Students will learn how to identify, assess, and prioritize risk and to develop a risk management plan.?	3
LAW6006	Privacy and Cybersecurity Law Course: LAW6006 Credit: 3 This course focuses on the legal and regulatory framework governing data privacy and cybersecurity. With an emphasis on financial data and personally identifiable information, the course will introduce students to regulations and safeguards that protect organizational and client privacy. Students will develop skills essential to the implementation of strategies for maintaining security compliance and managing related risks.	3
LAW6007	Contracts: Negotiation, Formation and Interpretation Course: LAW6007 Credit: 3 This course introduces students to the law that governs agreements for the future exchange of performances. Topics include conditions for contract formations, interpretations, resolution of ambiguities, and remedies for breach. This course will also take students through a hypothetical contractual process from negotiating the term sheets, to drafting the contract, to closing the transaction, and ending with post-closing obligations. Through this exercise, students will acquire a detailed understanding of the practical aspects of deal negotiations and execution, the timelines, and the major components of a negotiated contract. Students will consider ethical issues relevant to the substantive legal issues addressed in the course.	3
LAW6008	Employment Law Course: LAW6008 Credit: 3 This course covers regulations on the relationship between employees, managers, and business owners that are implemented to ensure a safe, fair, and respectful work environment. The course discusses the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers, introduces students to the law against discrimination in hiring, promotion and termination, and covers issues such as privacy in the workplace, adequate compensation, as well as workplace safety. The course also introduces students to theories and research on labor unions and labor-management relations, encouraging them to consider how insights from social theories and research can inform legal practice. Students will consider ethical issues relevant to the substantive legal issues addressed in the course.	3
LAW6009	Administrative Law Course: LAW6009 Credit: 3 Government agencies increasingly regulate the marketplace, establish and enforce rules pertinent to the health and safety of people, and provide basic services. This Administrative Law course explores the constitutional powers and limitations on agency actions, judicial review of agencies, and the procedures with which agencies must comply in regulating or providing benefits. Students will consider ethical issues relevant to the substantive legal issues addressed in the course.	3
LAW6100	Capstone Course Course: LAW6100 Credit: 3 For the Capstone Course, students will complete a practical project relating to their work experience or write a thesis in their chosen field of course concentration.	3

FAQs

How can a Master of Legal Studies degree help me advance in my current career?

The Master of Legal Studies degree is a fully online, asynchronous program designed for working professionals who would benefit from a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. legal system but do not intend to practice law. Legal matters are interwoven with business operations as organizations must follow laws and regulations to legally operate. Graduates of the MLS degree program have the expertise to help their current employers stay within the legal regulations of operation.

You may have always had an interest in law but aren’t sure if law school is for you. Maybe your current work has you collaborating with legal professionals, and you want to increase your knowledge so you can move into a new role or accept new duties.

Our MLS degree with the University of Cincinnati Online provides you with new skills and knowledge to enhance your existing career.

Connect with an advisor today!
Can I practice law with a Master of Legal Studies degree?

The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree provides options for people who are interested in furthering their education in law but do not necessarily want to attend law school to become an attorney. Our program is a fully online, asynchronous program designed for working professionals who would benefit from a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. legal system but do NOT intend to practice law. The MLS program provides new skills and knowledge to enhance your existing ones rather than to prepare you for an entirely new career. This degree will not permit you to take the bar examination and so it is not intended for people who want to practice law. Potential students may, but are not required to, submit a LSAT score upon application.

You may have always had an interest in law but unsure if law school is for you. If you have your bachelor’s degree, regardless of what subject it’s in, you’re eligible to apply for an MLS degree. Obtaining your MLS degree may provide you with opportunities to move into a new legal-focused career or advance your current career path, without becoming a lawyer.

Connect with an advisor today!
Do I need to take/submit the LSAT to apply for the Master of Legal Studies online program?

Successful applicants to the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program will have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum GPA of 2.75. Applications will be reviewed holistically, such that work experience and other factors indicating the likelihood of success will be given considerable weight.

While the University of Cincinnati Online MLS program is not requiring any admissions test, prospective students may submit a GRE, LSAT, GMAT, or other standardized admissions test score to supplement their application. This is encouraged if the potential applicant does not meet the GPA requirement above.

Still have additional questions, contact an advisor today!