Almost every industry in the modern professional world operates under a unique set of laws and regulations. Which means that no matter the sector, legal compliance and ethical business practices are essential. Organizations that fail to meet these standards risk significant fines, reputational damage, or legal consequences. So, ensuring compliance isn’t just a legal obligation—it’s a strategic priority.
That is why a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) can help you level up your career. This specialized degree is designed to equip professionals from a wide range of fields with a strategic understanding of legal systems, regulatory frameworks, and ethical standards. MSL graduates are increasingly in demand for their ability to navigate complex legal environments and help organizations stay compliant—making a master of legal studies worth it and a smart investment that can lead to career progress no matter your level of experience.
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) in Corporate Compliance from the Fordham University School of Law is a compliance-specific degree tailored for non-lawyers who already regularly engage with legal matters in their roles, or would like to pursue roles in which they can. This may take the shape of a variety of positions, including ones in general compliance, HR, healthcare, finance, risk, and policy.
Unlike broader graduate business or policy degrees, the program focuses specifically on corporate compliance and regulatory strategy, preparing professionals to navigate complex legal frameworks without pursuing a Juris Doctor. It provides the practical legal knowledge needed to confidently handle law-related tasks and contribute meaningfully to legal decision-making in the workplace, preparing graduates for high-impact, leadership-oriented positions.
Connect with us
on social media
While a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) and Juris Doctor (JD) are both advanced legal degrees, they serve distinct purposes. A JD qualifies graduates to sit for the bar exam and practice law as licensed attorneys, whereas the MSL is tailored for professionals who regularly engage with legal issues but do not intend to become practicing lawyers. It offers an ideal path for those seeking the legal fluency needed to advance their careers.
Fordham University School of Law’s MSL in Corporate Compliance provides compliance professionals with a valuable perspective on the legal and policy challenges facing modern businesses through a focused, terminal degree program.
One of the greatest advantages of earning a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is its versatility. The degree opens doors to compliance careers across a wide range of highly regulated industries, thanks to its focus on legal and regulatory knowledge that applies in a broad range of professional contexts.
At Fordham Law, the MSL in Corporate Compliance is highly career-focused—and particularly well suited for those pursuing careers in financial services compliance—offering four specialized tracks that align with the industries where demand for compliance professionals is strongest:
Financial Services
Human Resources
Healthcare
General Compliance
As a result, graduates from the program are well-positioned for roles including but not limited to:
It is also worth noting that many students enter the program already working in compliance, risk, legal operations, or regulatory roles and use the degree to advance from analyst or associate positions into management and leadership roles.
Salaries for MSL holders can vary widely based on their area of specialization and the industry in which they work. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides median annual salary data for several roles that align with the skills and career paths an MSL prepares professionals for:
Beyond salary potential, many graduates report that the degree strengthens their credibility when pursuing promotions or applying for more senior compliance roles.
In as few as 12 months, the Law@Fordham program equips you with the foundational knowledge and practical expertise you need to protect your organization from risk amid constant regulatory changes.
This is achieved through a multifaceted curriculum focused on real-world compliance scenarios, and includes:
Regular online coursework
An in-person colloquium
Capstone project
Taught by practitioner-instructors with invaluable insights and experience in compliance, financial regulation, and corporate governance, these components are designed to help you enter the job market as a competitive MSL graduate.
Coursework in this program is strategically designed to help you think like a lawyer while applying that perspective to compliance practice. The overall structure varies based on the track you choose, but all students complete a core set of required courses that provide a foundation applicable across contexts. These include:
Online MSL students will participate in a three-day, in-person colloquium held each August at Fordham Law School’s Manhattan campus. During this immersive experience, students will connect with senior compliance professionals, listen to industry speakers, and explore both current trends and emerging challenges in corporate compliance.
The colloquium also serves as a gateway into the broader compliance community. Students network and connect with alumni, regulators, and industry practitioners from New York City and beyond, building relationships that often continue throughout their careers.
Students attend the colloquium during the final summer term of their enrollment.
Complete your online Law@Fordham MSL experience with a three-credit capstone project focused on the real-world challenges compliance officers face in building effective compliance programs.
Taken in the final semester of the program, this self-guided project allows students to integrate and apply their learning through an in-depth exploration of complex issues in compliance design and implementation. Many students choose capstone topics connected to real compliance challenges in their organizations or industries, allowing them to develop expertise in areas directly relevant to their careers.
Under close faculty guidance, students will analyze practical challenges, exercise nuanced decision-making, and develop the strategic, organizational, and leadership skills essential for success in the compliance field. Students also have the opportunity to publish their findings.
Choosing one of the four program tracks available when you pursue an online MSL with Fordham Law lets you tailor your studies to your professional interests, focusing on elective courses that align closely with your industry. Each track allows professionals to deepen their expertise in the regulatory environments shaping their industries and prepares them to take on more strategic compliance leadership roles.
The four tracks are:
You can learn more about each below:
This track is ideal for students preparing for careers in ethics and compliance across a variety of industries.
You’ll gain a solid understanding of the key legal and regulatory frameworks that compliance professionals navigate in multiple sectors, while developing versatile and transferable skills essential for building effective compliance programs in any organizational setting. Learn more about this track by viewing the curriculum.
This track is designed for professionals working in—or aspiring to—roles focused on managing organizational risks throughout the employment life cycle.
You’ll gain a solid foundation in the legal and regulatory frameworks governing employment law and human rights, while also building a comprehensive skill set to address conduct-related risks through effective training, strategic communication, professional investigations, and the integration of integrity-driven values into your organization’s culture and decision-making. Learn more about this track by viewing the curriculum.
This track is ideal for students working in—or planning to enter—the financial services compliance field.
You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of the key legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the financial sector, and learn how to put compliance into action to uphold fiduciary duties and combat financial crimes such as money laundering, bribery and corruption, sanctions violations, insider trading, and fraud. Learn more about this track by viewing the curriculum.
This track is designed for students working in—or aiming to work in—the healthcare sector, whether in hospitals, long-term care facilities, doctors’ offices, or within pharmaceutical or medical device companies.
You’ll explore the key legal and regulatory frameworks governing the development, delivery, marketing, and sale of healthcare services and products. You’ll also build the skills needed to manage the complex ethics and compliance risks faced by organizations across the healthcare industry. Learn more about this track by viewing the curriculum.
When choosing to pursue a degree it’s important to choose both your area of study and the school you attend wisely. In fact, it may be true that a school further from where you live, but that offers a program and/or track more appropriate for your goals and shape of life is a better choice than a school nearer to you.
To that point, one of the many benefits of pursuing your online MSL at Fordham Law is the immense flexibility of your schedule, making it perfect for working professionals with busy lives.
Here’s how Fordham’s online MSL supports your success:
The program is especially valuable for professionals who already interact with legal or regulatory issues in their work and want to deepen their expertise without pursuing a law degree. Students often come from backgrounds such as compliance, risk management, operations, human resources, finance, or legal support roles.
Fordham Law has long embodied a commitment to ethics, integrity, and harnessing the law to drive better business practices. With our flexible online MSL program, you can continue working full time while acquiring the expertise to help protect and guide your organization in a complex legal and regulatory environment.
You’ll also benefit from the “Fordham Law Network Effect”—a deeply connected, global alumni community spanning industries and sectors. Through regular events, alumni engagement, and degree-specific networking opportunities, you can connect with professionals at leading institutions in New York City and beyond while building a lifelong professional network that extends well beyond graduation.
Fordham University partners with 2U to support the delivery of this online program. Fordham University has full control over the program, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.
1Occupational Outlook Handbook: Human Resources Managers. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved Oct 7, 2025.arrow_upward
2Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical and Health Services Managers. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved Oct 7, 2025.arrow_upward
3Occupational Outlook Handbook: Management Analysts. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved Oct 7, 2025.arrow_upward
4Occupational Outlook Handbook: Labor Relations Specialists. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved Oct 7, 2025.arrow_upward
5Occupational Outlook Handbook: Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved Oct 7, 2025.arrow_upward
6Occupational Outlook Handbook: Compliance Officers. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved Oct 7, 2025.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference
