Earn Your Master of Studies in Law (MSL) | Samford University
Earn your Master of Studies in Law (MSL) at Samford University. Gain foundational legal knowledge and enhance your career with an advanced understanding of law, designed for non-lawyers in various professional fields.
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Online Master of Studies in Law Programs (Princeton Review, 2025)
Is This Program for Me?
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is designed for professionals who have not already earned a Juris Doctor. Delivered 100% online, this program will provide you the legal knowledge to help you stand out in today’s complex regulatory and compliance landscape. Students can choose from one of four in-demand concentrations or a custom option:
Financial Services Health Law Higher Education Legal Operations Custom Concentration
MSL: Financial Services Regulatory Compliance
In today’s financial world, regulatory compliance is essential to maintaining consumer trust, preventing misconduct and ensuring market stability. Banks, investment firms and insurance companies rely on skilled legal and compliance professionals to navigate complex regulations and manage risk. Whether you plan to advance your legal practice or counsel financial institutions, this concentration provides advanced training in the laws and ethics that shape financial regulation.
The financial services regulatory compliance concentration within the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program is designed for non-lawyer professionals who want to understand the laws, policies and ethical practices governing the financial sector.
Students will:
- Learn how financial laws and regulations shape banking, investments and insurance
- Learn to identify, assess and ease risks such as fraud, misconduct and operational disruptions
- Study the roles and responsibilities of key regulatory bodies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
- Gain practical insight into compliance reporting, auditing and internal policy development
Graduates of this concentration are prepared for a variety of roles in the financial sectors, some examples include:
- Compliance Analyst or Compliance Manager
- Risk Manager
- Financial Compliance Officer
- Director of Compliance
- Internal Auditor
A concentration in financial services regulatory compliance within the Masters of Law Studies allows graduates to gain valuable foundational skills and knowledge to ensure ethical conduct and regulatory alignment in the financial services industry
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.
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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 10 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.
MSL: Health Law and Compliance
Health care is one of the most regulated industries in the nation. Hospitals, insurance providers, pharmaceutical companies and health care organizations rely on legal and compliance professionals to ensure that patient care, privacy and operations meet complex regulatory standards.
The health Law and Compliance concentration within the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program provides professionals without a law degree with a comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern health care, preparing them to manage compliance and ethical issues within health organizations.
Students pursuing this concentration will:
- Study key regulations and statutes such as HIPAA, Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute and Affordable Care Act compliance
- Learn to identify and mitigate legal and operational risks in health care settings
- Explore topics related to patient rights, medical ethics, data privacy, fraud prevention and governance
- Gain insight into the relationship between federal and state health care regulations, licensing and accreditation requirements
- Develop practical skills for designing and managing compliance programs within hospitals, clinics and health systems
Graduates of this concentration are prepared for a wide range of roles in the health care and legal industries, some examples include:
- Health Care Compliance Officer or Manager
- Risk Management Specialist
- Regulatory Affairs Director
- Hospital or Health System Administrator
Graduates from the health law and compliance concentration gain the advanced legal insight necessary to counsel organizations and uphold the highest standards of ethical and compliant care.
Courses
The program includes course work in health law, regulatory affairs, public policy, insurance, and healthcare administration, with a particular emphasis on health care compliance.
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Student Benefits
The Compliance and Certification Board (CCB) offers free conference registration to current students and credentialing exam eligibility upon graduation
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)®.
Coordinated Degree with 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 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.
Curriculum Academic Policies Application for Pharmacy Students
MSL: Higher Education Law and Compliance
The field of higher education is becoming increasingly complex, with colleges and universities facing evolving legal and regulatory challenges. From student privacy and campus safety to employment law and accreditation standards, institutions rely on legal and compliance professionals to ensure they operate responsibly and within the bounds of the law. Whether you plan to serve as counsel, compliance officer or policy leader, a foundation in higher education law will prepare you to navigate these critical issues.
The higher education law and compliance concentration within the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program provides professionals without a law degree with the legal and regulatory knowledge needed to navigate compliance challenges and lead effectively within higher education institutions.
Students pursuing this concentration will:
- Study the major laws and regulations that affect higher education, including Title IX, the Clery Act, FERPA, ADA and employment law
- Learn how to develop and implement compliance programs that align with institutional policies and federal guidelines
- Explore issues related to student rights and responsibilities, campus safety, governance and accreditation
- Examine how higher education law intersects with diversity, equity and inclusion, data privacy and academic freedom
- Gain insight into the role of compliance officers, legal counsel and administrators in managing institutional risk and promoting ethical decision-making
Graduates of this concentration are prepared for a variety of roles in higher education and related sectors, some examples include:
- Title IX Coordinator
- Compliance Director
- Student Affairs Leader
- Policy or Risk Management Specialist
- Higher Education Administrator
A concentration in higher education law and compliance equips to help institutions uphold their missions while maintaining compliance, protecting student rights and fostering inclusive, legally sound environments.
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.
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Student Benefits
The Association of Title IX Administrators (atIXa) offers complimentary student membership and discounted conference registrations.
MSL: Legal Operations
As the legal industry continues to evolve, organizations increasingly depend on professionals who can blend legal knowledge with business strategy, technology and process management. Legal operations experts help law firms, corporate legal departments and government agencies work more efficiently and effectively by improving workflows, managing budgets and implementing innovative legal technologies.
The legal operations concentration within the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program provides professionals without a law degree who work alongside legal teams or manage compliance functions with the knowledge and skills to effectively oversee the business side of law, optimize performance, reduce risk, and drive value within legal organizations. Students pursuing this concentration will:
- Learn the fundamentals of legal project management, budgeting and process improvement
- Explore the use of legal technology, including contract management systems, e-discovery tools and data analytics platforms
- Understand how to align legal operations with broader organizational strategy and compliance goals
- Study methods for vendor management, performance measurement and cost control
- Gain practical experience developing operational frameworks that improve efficiency and accountability in legal services
Graduates of this concentration are prepared for a range leadership and management roles, some examples include:
- Director or Manager of Legal Operations
- Legal Project Manager
- Legal Technology Consultant
- Contract Administrator
- Business Process Analyst
- Compliance and Risk Management Professional
A concentration in legal operations provides a competitive edge in a changing legal landscape. Students graduate with the practical business and technical expertise needed to enhance productivity, manage resources and lead innovation in modern legal organizations.
Courses
The courses address specialized ethical considerations inherent in the management of litigation and electronically stored information (ESI).
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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.
MSL: Custom Concentration
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.
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Program Objectives
Upon completion of the Master of Studies in Law, you will be equipped to:
- Utilize U.S. legal databases to locate statutes, regulations and court decisions;
- Analyze policy and compliance issues from ethical, legal and economic perspectives;
- Interpret and evaluate cost-effectiveness and outcomes to inform decision-making;
- And communicate complex ideas, both orally and in writing, using legal industry-specific terminology.
Career Preparation
Through real-world course work and practical training from our expert faculty, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to excel in specialized legal environments. You’ll graduate ready to collaborate effectively with attorneys, compliance experts and other legal professionals, while mastering the specialized competencies essential for career success. Our graduates work in a variety of compliance-related fields and corporations.
“As a 20+ year business professional, obtaining the MSL was the most logical step in ensuring I would be able to confidently lead with the knowledge of the law in the workplace. ”
“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, Director, UAB Family Clinic
“From the outset, Cumberland’s 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. ”
—Withrow Newell, MSL ’22, instructor, University of Montevallo
“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. 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."
—Tasia Craig, MSL ’21, Home Equity Retirement Originator, Mutual of Omaha
Admission and Application Requirements
Key Dates for Fall 2026
- Application Open: Sept. 2, 2025
- Application Deadline: July 15, 2026
- FAFSA Deadline: July 15, 2026
- Fall 2026 Term Begins: Aug. 24, 2026
Completed Application
All applicants must complete and apply. 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 Transcript
Transcripts are considered official only when sent directly from the issuing institution to Samford University. We require official transcript(s) noting a 3.0 GPA from all previously attended undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate institutions. Transcripts may be submitted in the following ways:
- Email (Preferred): Transcripts may be sent electronically from the institution to admission@samford.edu.
- Electronic Services: Transcripts may also be sent through authorized electronic transcript services such as:
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Parchment
- Scrip-Safe
- Or any other secure electronic transcript delivery service
- Please select Samford University as the recipient during the ordering process.
- Mail: If electronic delivery is not available, official transcripts may be mailed to:
Samford University
Office of Admission
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
Please allow ample time for transcript orders to be processed.
Other Admission Requirements
- One letter of recommendation
- Professional resume
- Personal essay
International Applicant Information
