Summer online course offerings planned for new master’s program

The College of Law will offer the flexibility of online classes to students who are pursuing a Master of Legal Studies degree or a Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies.

Beginning this summer and continuing through the 2021-22 academic year, professors will be offering online instruction in a variety of subjects including contracts, civil procedure, employment law and discrimination, health law and compliance, higher education law, intellectual property and torts.

Courses have been designed to allow for substantive interaction with professors and classmates. Students can also expect feedback and course delivery from professors that is compatible with what is offered during in-person sessions. 

“We realize the students who may want to pursue this line of study are likely already established in their careers,” Program Director Alex Long said. “So it was particularly important to us that we provide flexibility in the course delivery.”

The Master of Legal Studies degree is an alternative to the typical three-year Juris Doctor degree and is targeted toward those who need to be conversant in the law but do not wish to practice it. 

Another JD degree alternative, the 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Legal Studies, launches officially this summer ahead of the Fall 2021 Master of Legal Studies program. However, students interested in either program may begin their studies this summer.

Students who are enrolled in the graduate certificate program may, subject to approval and other applicable procedures, transfer to the master’s program and transfer earned credit hours toward that degree.

The new certificate and degree programs are particularly targeted toward business professionals, compliance officers, cybersecurity experts, higher education administrators, human resources administrators, law enforcement officers and paralegals who might regularly communicate with lawyers or need to navigate legal regulations, but never represent a client. 

Students must apply for admission through the University of Tennessee College of Graduate Studies. Learn more about the programs.