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American University Washington College of Law Launches Online MLS Program

Summary: American University Washington College of Law is partnering with 2U to offer an online master of legal studies program.

American University Washington College of Law has partnered with 2U, Inc. to start an online master of legal studies. The global leader in education technology will help AUWCL offer Law@American, the law school’s first MLS degree. The program will be a new Domestic Graduate Program for 2U, according to their press release.

AUWCL Dean Camille Nelson said, “Today’s announcement underscores the importance of evolving academic offerings to meet the needs of working professionals with interact with the law in a variety of disciplines. Our new partnership with 2U will assist us in extending the boundaries of a traditional residential Master of Legal Studies degree program to include the potential for MBA coursework in a versatile professional degree in law and business.”

The online MLS program is designed to train non-lawyers working or hoping to work in highly skilled and ethical professions to have a strong understanding of the U.S. legal system. The interdisciplinary program will use the expertise of the law school’s faculty and professors in American University’s Kogod School of Business to build a general knowledge but will offer concentrations in health care compliance, technology and business.

2UGrad President Andrew Hermalyn said, “Law@American becomes our third Domestic Graduate Program with American University, and we are thrilled to be expanding our partnership. For more than a century, AUWCL has remained grounded in its values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor, while staying open to opportunities for advancement. We continue to be energized by AU’s willingness to embrace change and adapt for the digital age.”

AUWCL has five nationally ranked specialty programs – clinical legal education, trial advocacy, intellectual property, international law, and health law and policy. Their part-time Juris Doctor program is a top-10 ranked program.

2U will serve as a support system in the development, launch and management of the MLS. Students will have to complete 30 credits regardless of the concentration. The program will have live face-to-face online classes, course content delivered through 2U’s platform, and real-world immersive experiences at the campus in Northwest Washington, D.C.

Assuming the American Bar Association approves the program, classes for the online Master of Legal Studies will begin in April 2019.

Would you prefer an online or on-campus degree option? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

To learn more about other law schools offering a master of legal studies program, read these articles:

Photo: findyourllm.com

Amanda Griffin: