Online Master of Legal Studies Curriculum

This class introduces the structure of the American legal system, to the forms of legal reasoning, and to the sources and nature of law and legal advice. It also introduces students to the tools for identifying, referencing, and evaluating legal texts.

A study of the modern business corporation, both publicly held and closely held enterprises, including the organization and financial structuring of corporations; the allocation of control among shareholders, directors, and officers; the responsibilities of management and controlling shareholders; and the issuance of corporate securities.

This course explores the general law of contracts. In addition to studying the definition of a contract and how it differs from other promises, this course explores the common components, interpretation, and enforceability mechanisms of contracts, as well as what happens when contracts are violated.

This course provides an overview of the ways in which administrative agencies operate in our legal system. It will provide an overview of the most important forms of agency actions – rulemakings, adjudications, and guidance – as well as an introduction to how to contest, interpret, and advocate before agencies.

This class introduces students to the basic tools of legal research. It teaches students to use specialized electronic databases for legal research and develops legal research skills more broadly.

This course focuses on liability for intentional harm to person or property and for similar harm caused by negligent conduct.

An introductory study of due process and equal protection as general constitutional restrictions on all government actions that affect individuals and an introduction to the structural role of the Supreme Court in enforcing those constitutional restrictions against the other units of state and federal government.

This course will explore fundamental concepts in American criminal law and American criminal procedure.

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the vocabulary lawyers and judges use in processing criminal cases, the ways in which the criminal legal system effectuates society’s goals, and the central controversies associated with that system.

This course outlines the basic concepts, principles, and statutes that define employment law in the United States. After exploring what distinguishes an employment relationship from other types of workplace relationships, this course considers how the employment relationship affects the legal responsibilities that businesses and workers have towards each other and towards third parties.

The basic course on federal income taxation, operation of the federal tax system, and its application to various types of taxpayers. Emphasis on such concepts as gross income, exclusion, deductions, assignment of income, capital gains and losses, and tax accounting problems as well as tax problems arising in business activities, family arrangements, property transfers, and the tax planning relevant to dealing with them.

This course will survey several legal issues that have given rise to the current state of disruption in college athletics. Students will learn how key legal concerns—including antitrust restrictions, labor interests, and intellectual property tensions—work alongside business interests and political dynamics in crafting competitive opportunities.

This optional in-person intensive immersion will focus on the theory and practice of negotiation. In addition to asynchronous work before and after the immersion, the in-person course will meet on a Friday afternoon and all day Saturday in lieu of the typical MLS synchronous sessions. Course topics will include conflict style, adversarial negotiation, and problem-solving negotiation. By taking this course, you agree that you will join a weekend on-campus immersion. Remote attendance is not permitted. Please note that the cost for travel, lodging, and meals is not included in tuition and will be at your own expense.

A basic survey of the law of property with emphasis on real estate; estates in land; divided interests; adverse possession; introduction to future interests; landlord-tenant; commercial transfers of land, including the real estate contract, the deed, the recording system and title insurance, restriction of land use through private arrangement and public regulation. This course also explores fundamental concepts in American intellectual property law, more particularly copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret law. We will see how those rights are created, when and how to apply for or register them when this is necessary or useful, the scope of protection they offer, and applicable exceptions. We will also briefly explore international aspects.

This course provides an overview of how contracts, torts, intellectual property, labor, antitrust, and other aspects of law shape and regulate professional, international, and amateur sports. This course will explore case studies from the major sports leagues in the United States, professional soccer (in the United States and abroad), Formula 1, PGA/LIV, and other sport entities. Students will identify and analyze legal concepts common in the day-to-day management of a sports organization, including contract negotiation and interpretation, risk mitigation, and dispute resolution. In addition, the course will explore the roles and interaction of sports governing bodies, commissioners, unions, and agents. Students will complete the course with a thorough understanding of the history and relationship between antitrust and labor law in sports, including how the two bodies of law impact league rules, governance, and collective bargaining.