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.

MSL

Master of Studies in Law

Enhance your legal knowledge and elevate your career with a fully online MSL.

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Months to Complete

Concentrations Offered

Credit Hours

Best

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

Build the legal knowledge needed to support compliance and risk management in the financial sector. This concentration equips nonlawyer professionals with practical insight into financial regulation, consumer protection and ethical oversight.

You’ll study:

Financial regulation and consumer protection
Data privacy and cybersecurity
Compliance reporting, auditing, and policy development
Oversight by major regulators such as the SEC, FINRA, OCC, and FinCEN

Career paths include:

Compliance Analyst or Manager
Director of Compliance
Financial Compliance Officer
Risk Management Professional

View the Curriculum

MSL: Health Law and Compliance

Gain a working understanding of the laws and regulations that shape health care operations. This concentration prepares nonlawyer professionals to manage compliance, privacy and ethical challenges across health care organizations.

You’ll study:

Health care regulations such as HIPAA, the Stark Law, and the Anti‑Kickback Statute
Compliance program design and risk mitigation
Patient rights, medical ethics and fraud prevention
Licensing, accreditation and regulatory oversight

Career paths include:

Health Care Compliance Officer or Manager
Risk Management Specialist
Regulatory Affairs Director
Hospital or Health System Administrator

Coordinated Degree with Pharmacy

Cumberland School of Law and Samford University’s McWhorter School of Pharmacy offer a coordinated degree for currently PharmD students. Program requirements and the application process are specific to pharmacy students.

View the Curriculum Application for Pharmacy Students

MSL: Higher Education Law and Compliance

Understand the legal and regulatory responsibilities facing colleges and universities. This concentration prepares nonlawyer professionals to support compliance, policy and risk management in higher education settings.

You’ll study:

Laws affecting higher education, including Title IX, FERPA, the Clery Act, and ADA
Compliance program implementation and institutional governance
Student rights, campus safety and accreditation
Data privacy and academic freedom among other legal issues facing higher education institutions

Career paths include:

Title IX Coordinator
Compliance Director
Student Affairs Leader
Higher Education Administrator

View the Curriculum

MSL: Legal Operations

Develop the business, technology and process skills that support modern legal teams. This concentration prepares nonlawyer professionals to improve efficiency, manage resources and support compliance within legal organizations.

You’ll study:

Legal project management, budgeting and process improvement
Legal technology, including contract management and e‑discovery tools
Vendor management, performance measurement and cost control
Aligning legal operations with compliance and organizational strategy

Career paths include:

Director or Manager of Legal Operations
Legal Project Manager
Legal Technology Consultant
Contract Administrator or Business Process Analyst

View the Curriculum

MSL: Custom Concentration

In addition to the required core courses, Master of Studies in Law (MSL) students may design a custom concentration by selecting courses from the program’s regulatory compliance offerings. This option allows students to tailor their studies to a specific professional interest or career goal.

Through the custom concentration, students will:

Synthesize core principles of American law and legal procedure
Apply legal concepts to a self‑selected area of professional focus
Develop legal research skills relevant to professional practice
Communicate effectively about legal issues with attorneys and other stakeholders
Recognize policy implications in organizational decision‑making
Build focused expertise in a customized area of study

View the Curriculum

student on bench

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.

law alumnus

“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.

Personal Statement

In your own words, please write a personal essay addressing the following:

Why you are applying to this program — What drew you to this field of study, and why are you pursuing this opportunity at this time in your life?
Why we should admit you — What unique qualities, experiences, skills, or perspectives do you bring that would make you a strong addition to our program and community?
Your goals for this degree — What do you hope to achieve academically and professionally as a result of completing this program? How does this degree fit into your broader aspirations?

Your essay should be written entirely in your own words and reflect your authentic voice. We are looking for thoughtful, genuine responses that help us understand who you are beyond your academic record.