Required Core Legal Courses

• Introduction to Law and Legal Procedure (MSL only)
• Principles of Business Law
• Legal Writing and Communication Skills
• Introduction to Public Policy – Legislation and Regulation (Not required for Legal Operations)
• Master of Studies in Law Capstone

Financial Services Regulatory Compliance

This program prepares students for careers in the growing field of financial services regulatory compliance. The knowledge and skills gained through this program will enable graduates to develop and advance careers with financial institutions such as banks and credit unions, securities brokers, information technology and related vendors, national and community banks, regulatory agencies and law firms. Students and graduates may have job titles such as compliance officer or risk management director or may work in some other capacity in the industry.

Outcomes

In addition to general degree outcomes, students will:

• Learn best practices for balancing the safeguards for corporate security and consumer protection in a broad range of regulations concerning money laundering, financial fraud, privacy and more.
• Provide leadership in the enhancement of consumer protection and quality improvement.

Courses

The financial services regulatory compliance curriculum focuses on understanding and applying the complex laws and regulations governing the post-2008 American financial services industry including the Bank Secrecy Act, Dodd-Frank Act, UDAAP laws, and the CFPB. Compliance program development and enforcement within the broader risk-management framework is an integral component. The future of the regulatory environment, international implications, and advances in payment systems and technologies are also addressed.

In addition to the required core legal courses above, concentration electives include:

• Banking Law and Regulation in the U.S.
• Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations
• Mortgage and Securities Regulation and Compliance
• Crime and Compliance: BSA/AML
• Compliance Program Management
• Information Privacy and Cybersecurity

Student Benefits

• The Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS) offers discounted certification packages to graduates and allows your degree to qualify you to sit for credentialing exam, once ten webinars have also been completed.
• The Association of Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) offers students a complimentary two-year membership as well as discounted certification packages.

Health Law and Compliance

The health law and compliance concentration will help professionals advance in regulatory compliance-related roles in the fields of health care administration, nursing, medicine, compliance, and human resources.

Outcomes

In addition to general degree outcomes, students will:

• Learn to implement the basic components of an effective corporate compliance program.
• Learn to implement safeguards for privacy and security pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Be able to continuously adapt to the evolving health system in the United States.
• Be able to provide leadership in the enhancement of patient safety and quality improvement.

Courses

The program includes coursework in health law, regulatory affairs, public policy, insurance, and healthcare administration, with a particular emphasis on health care compliance.

In addition to the required core legal courses above, concentration electives include:

• Introduction to the Health Care Delivery Systems
• Health Care Compliance: Laws and Regulations
• Health Care Insurance and Finance
• Health Care Compliance: Programs and Policies
• Corporate Ethics in Health Care
• Health Care Privacy and Security

Student Benefits

The Compliance and Certification Board (CCB) offers free conference registration to current students and credentialing exam eligibility upon graduation

Coordinated Degree with McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and McWhorter School of Pharmacy offer a coordinated degree for students who wish to earn both a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) with a concentration in health law and compliance. This coordinated program is designed for students currently enrolled in the McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Because of that, the program of study and application process is unique to those students.

Learn More

• Detailed information about curriculum and credit
• Health law and compliance Academic Policies
• Application for students current pharmacy students

Accreditation

The concentration in health law and compliance is accredited by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB)®. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit for any of the following credentialing exams offered by the Compliance Certification Board without having to meet the typical work experience or CEU requirements: Healthcare Compliance (CHC)™, Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC)®, Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC)® Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP)®.

 Higher Education Law and Compliance

The concentration in higher education law and compliance is designed for professionals interested in the laws, regulations, and compliance considerations that impact higher education. Students will learn the practical compliance skills necessary for advancement in a variety of higher education-related careers.

Outcomes

In addition to general degree outcomes, students will:

• Be able to evaluate programs and policies for potential risk and identify corrective measures.
• Learn to apply best practices for ensuring the privacy of student data.
• Be able to respond to government and accreditor reporting requirements.
• Be able to continuously adapt to the evolving regulatory framework of higher education in the United States.

Courses

The curriculum is designed for compliance officers, Title IX officers, ADA support and financial aid personnel, accreditation managers, higher education administrators, attorneys and others interested in developing their expertise in the field of education law and compliance. Students will learn how to research, apply, and communicate effectively about the laws, regulations and compliance issues facing today's higher education leaders.

In addition to the required core legal courses above, concentration electives include:

• Higher Education Law and Governance
• Data and Privacy in Educational Compliance
• Student Rights and Campus Safety
• Financial Compliance in Higher Education
• Compliance Program Management
• Compliance and Accreditation

Student Benefits

The Association of Title IX Administrators (atIXa) offers complimentary student membership and discounted conference registrations.

Legal Operations

The legal operations concentration is designed for law firm professionals who seek career advancement by developing expertise in the growing field of legal operations. This program will prepare students for career opportunities as firm administrators, mass tort or complex litigation attorneys, litigation paralegals, new lawyers/recent graduates, and law firm marketing or finance professionals.

Outcomes

In addition to general degree outcomes, students will:

• Be prepared for leadership roles in a variety of law office settings.
• Understand the business of law and ways to positively impact profitability.
• Be able to apply and adapt the formal processes and principles of project management to the legal environment.
• Be able to apply process improvement techniques and strategies for the benefit of the firm.
• Understand the legal and ethical responsibilities of a manager with respect to electronically stored information.
• Be able to identify and evaluate resources necessary for effective management of litigation and e-discovery.
• Be able to recognize and respond appropriately to ethical issues including complicity, breach of confidentiality, improper communication, and conflicts of interest.

Courses

Coursework and readings will address specialized ethical considerations inherent in the management of litigation and electronically stored information (ESI). Students will develop the skills and knowledge necessary for effective decision-making and project management in the law firm context, including techniques for evaluating firm profitability, outsourcing opportunities, alternative fee arrangements, and the role of technology and innovation in legal operations.

In addition to the required core legal courses above, concentration electives include:

• Law Firm Accounting
• Legal Technology and Innovation
• E-Discovery
• Legal Project Management
• Business of Law
• Information Privacy and Cybersecurity
• Law Firm Management

Student Benefits

• The Organization of Legal Professionals (OLP) offers automatic eligibility to sit for the CeDP exam upon graduation, as well as discounted membership and other certifications.
• The Association of Certified E-Discovery Specialists (ACEDS) offers a discounted certification exam package to graduates

Custom Concentration

The custom concentration is only available for nonlawyers pursuing a Master of Studies in Law (MSL).

In addition to the required core legal courses above, MSL students have the option to create a customized course of study by choosing from a variety of courses offered through our regulatory compliance concentrations.

Upon completion of this program, students will synthesize and explain the fundamental principles of American law and procedure, apply an understanding of legal principles to a particular area of professional focus, demonstrate research skills relevant to professional practice, communicate about legal issues with attorneys and others, recognize policy implications in decision-making, and develop expertise in self-designed area of study.

All applicants must complete and submit an application. All materials must be submitted through the online system which includes detailed instructions. It is the applicant’s responsibility to log into his or her application to confirm that all required materials have been received. Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the awarding institution to:

Cumberland School of Law
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham Alabama, 35229
ATTN: Grad Law.

Please allow ample time for transcript orders to be processed.

Requirements

• Completed application
• Official undergraduate transcript (3.0 GPA)
• Two letters of recommendation 
• Professional resume
• Personal essay

Important Dates

• Application Open – November 4, 2024
• Application Deadline for Fall 2025 Admission - July 15, 2025
• Deadline for FAFSA - July 15, 2025
• Fall 2025 Term Begins - August 25, 2025

International Applicant Information

***The above rates are for 2024-25. On average, there is a 3% tuition increase each academic year.

Graduate Estimated Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid

For information about financial aid, please visit the Office of Financial Aid online or call their office at 205-726-2905 or 1-800-888-7245.

Custom Concentration

"As a graduate of the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program at Cumberland School of Law, I wanted to share the profound impact it has had on my professional journey. From the outset, the MSL program was the ideal platform for my graduate studies, blending rigorous legal training with practical applications for nonlawyers. The depth of legal understanding I gained has not only set me apart in my research endeavors but also enhanced my perspective on various industry-specific issues. This unique blend of legal knowledge and industry insight has been a key differentiator in my career. This program paved the way for me to become a faculty member at a local university. Here, my teachings focus on policy, contractual law, and the legal implications within the hospitality industry. The knowledge and skills acquired from the MSL program have been invaluable in shaping my teaching methodology and in providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape in our field." — Withrow Newell, MSL ’22, instructor, University of Montevallo

Financial Services Regulatory Compliance Concentration

"My experience at Cumberland School of Law was truly transformative. Obtaining my Master of Studies in Law with a focus in financial services regulatory compliance was a lucrative investment, to say the least. During my time in the program, I generated an elaborate network of scholars, educators, attorneys and other field professionals.

"Since obtaining my degree, I was promoted from my prior role and am now stationed in Washington, D.C. Even though I have more than a decade of experience in the financial and mortgage banking industries, this program armed me with expanded knowledge of applicable governing regulations and regulatory enforcement and I’m able to quickly adapt to constant regulatory changes. In addition, I have become proficient at interpreting and applying complex laws and regulations governing the post-2008 financial services industry by ensuring accuracy to maintain organizational integrity.

"I could not recommend this program enough to any graduate learner who is interested in the intersection of financial services and regulatory compliance."

—Tasia Craig, MSL ’22
Rental Assistant Demonstration (RAD) Closing Coordinator
United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Recapitalization

“Cumberland School of Law’s MSL program exceeded my expectations in all facets. As a working mom and professional by day and student by night, I was able to thrive through a flexible and interactive learning experience, thoughtful and practical curriculum, and professors with decades of industry expertise. Earning the MSL from Cumberland has not only led to career advancement for me but has also given me the critical thinking and analysis skills necessary to succeed in the increasingly complex and challenging role of a banking compliance professional.” —Jennifer Newman, MSL ’22, senior compliance manager, Cadence Bank

"I currently am in the Risk Management department for a $6 billion bank. I obtained my undergraduate degree in marketing back in 2016, but I really wanted to have an educational background in the field I have been in since 2017. The current compliance officer that is looking to retire in the next 2-4 years has not only developed the formalized compliance program we have now, but has maintained it since 1999! So I have a lot of learning to do to fill her shoes! Many of the front-line bankers attend the Graduate School of Banking, the cost of which is covered by the bank. However, officers in our specific department do not attend this school. I still felt I deserved further education in my field but wasn’t sure what existed out there. When I came across Samford’s MSL program, with a focus in Financial Services Regulatory Compliance, I was ecstatic! This is exactly what I was looking for. Professors and classmates were super involved in the classes, which made it very worthwhile. I learned a lot while gaining great connections that I still utilize! Plus, examiners love to hear that we have someone with a Masters in the field of compliance! My MSL degree hangs proudly in my office as I work to become the bank’s next compliance officer."—Taylor Treankler, MSL '22, vice president of Risk Management, CRCM, FLE

Health Law and Compliance Concentration

"As a 20+ year business professional, obtaining the MSL degree was the most logical step in ensuring I would be able to confidently lead with the knowledge of the law in the workplace.

"Cumberland’s esteemed faculty was committed to providing students with practical information that has proven to be beneficial for my employer, my colleagues and my career. Through illuminating lectures, stimulating case studies and interactive class assignments, I have expanded and honed a set of powerful legal skills, including critical thinking, risk management and analysis, and communication and advocacy skills. When I enrolled in the fall of 2021, I was serving as the director of operations at Cumberland School of Law, leading all fiscal and administrative affairs for the school. Shortly before graduating in April 2023, I accepted an amazing opportunity to become an administrator at two world-renowned health care providers, UAB Medicine and Children’s of Alabama. There is no doubt in my mind that Cumberland’s MSL program, in combination with decades of experience, has prepared me to contribute at an exceptional level in this role and beyond.”—Barika Hamilton, MSL ’23