2018-2019 Samford University Graduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Samford University Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduate Law


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Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degrees

Master of Laws (LL.M.) with concentrations in
          Financial Services Regulatory Compliance (L.L.M.) 
          Health Law and Policy (L.L.M.) 
          Higher Education Law & Compliance (L.L.M.) 
          Legal Project Management (L.L.M.) 

Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) with concentrations in
          Master of Studies in Law, General Option (M.S.L.) 
          Financial Services Regulatory Compliance (M.S.L.) 
          Health Law and Policy (M.S.L.) 
          Higher Education Law & Compliance (M.S.L.) 
          Legal Project Management (M.S.L.) 

Joint Degrees

Juris Doctor/Master of Laws (J.D./LL.M.) with concentrations in
          Financial Services Regulatory Compliance
          Health Law and Policy
          Higher Education Law and Compliance
          Legal Project Management


Cumberland School of Law offers two graduate law programs: the master of laws (LL.M.), which has four concentrations, and the master of studies in law (M.S.L.), which has five concentrations. Additionally, the master of laws program can be combined with the juris doctor (J.D.) for a joint degree, incorporating the same four concentrations. The Law School also sponsors eight additional joint-degree programs in connection with the J.D. degree. For more information on the J.D. and the other joint degrees, see the Doctoral Law  section, as well as the law school website, http://samford.edu/cumberlandlaw.

Accreditation

The master of studies in law with a concentration in health law and policy and the master of laws with a concentration in health law and policy are accredited by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB)®. Graduates of these programs will be eligible to sit for any of the following credentialing exams offered by the Compliance Certification Board: Healthcare Compliance (CHC)™, Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC)®, Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC)®, and Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP)®. Since the American Bar Association does not accredit master’s degrees, these programs are not accredited by the A.B.A., nor are graduates of these programs eligible to sit for the bar examination.


Master of Laws (LL.M.)

The master of laws (LL.M.) degree is a fully online, 30-hour master’s degree program designed for attorneys interested in the laws, regulations, and compliance considerations that impact financial services, health care, or higher education, as well as for those who wish to develop their expertise in the growing field of legal project management.

Admission Criteria

Applicants will be considered for admission to this graduate program based on the following criteria:

  1. Minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. For students in the stand-alone LL.M. program, completion of a J.D. degree or current enrollment in the J.D. program at Samford is required. For students pursuing the joint-degree program, completion of the first year of the J.D. curriculum, with a 3.00 minimum GPA, is required.
  3. Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor.
  4. Personal statement indicating career plans and likelihood of success in graduate study.
  5. Professional résumé.
  6. Applicant video or video interview.
Transfer Credit

No transfer credit will be applied to the 30 credits of required coursework.

Time-to-Degree Completion Plan

The LL.M. program can be completed in two academic years, including summers. Students in the joint-degree program must complete all requirements for both degrees concurrently.


Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.)

The master of studies in law (M.S.L) degree is a fully online, 36-hour master’s degree program designed primarily for non-lawyers interested in pursuing a specialized, career-enhancing graduate degree. Students will complete two, 3-credit classes per term for six consecutive terms, earning the degree in 24 months. Following the 12-hour core, students may choose from one of four concentrations, or design a personalized course of study by choosing from a variety of electives.

Admission Criteria

Applicants will be considered for admission to this graduate program based on the following criteria:

  1. Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 from a regionally accredited institution. GRE or MAT scores are required for students whose GPA is below 2.75.
  2. Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or supervisor.
  3. Personal statement indicating career plans and likelihood of success in graduate study.
  4. Professional résumé.
  5. Applicant video or video interview.
  6. Students with a J.D. degree may apply for advanced standing in order to enter the program in spring of year one, skipping fall of year one completely
Time-to-Degree Completion Plan

The M.S.L. program can be completed in two academic years, including summers.


Programs

    Master

    Courses

      Law - Financial Services Regulatory ComplianceLaw - Health Law & PolicyLaw - Higher Education Law & ComplianceLaw - Legal Project ManagementLaw - Master of Studies in Law