GW Law’s Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is a law degree for non-lawyers. It provides insight into the law and skills in applying the law in various contexts across government, nonprofit, and for-profit agencies. The degree prepares managers, administrators, directors, analysts, public policy practitioners paralegals, arbiters, mediators, and tax and insurance professionals (among others) to navigate the legal landscape effectively.
Students in GW Law’s MSL program can customize their degree by choosing a concentration that aligns with their career goals. Students must consider this choice carefully because their concentration can significantly impact future career opportunities. This article explores each program concentration to help prospective students better understand each concentration’s focus, curriculum, and outcomes.
Program Overview: Get to Know the MSL Degree
The MSL, a master’s-level law degree, trains non-lawyers in law-adjacent fields and other occupations in which extensive legal understanding is beneficial. The MSL differs from a Juris Doctor (JD), a doctoral-level degree that prepares students to practice law and work as lawyers and judges. The MSL benefits students whose careers can benefit from improved legal expertise.
The 24-credit program offers three concentrations. The curricula for each help students understand the law and current legal landscape while developing the skills to identify legal issues, solve problems using legal frameworks, communicate risks, clearly express complex ideas, and write persuasively. Graduates emerge well-prepared to navigate the laws and regulations that apply to businesses, organizations, and other institutions today.
The MSL offers a flexible learning format with part-time and full-time options and the ability to study online or on campus, enabling students to pursue their degrees without interrupting their professional advancement. GW invests in its students’ success by offering robust academic and professional support, including mentorship, networking opportunities, career counseling, and unparalleled access to the nation’s hub of legal and policy activity.
Customize Your Course of Study at GW Law
The GW MSL features three concentrations:
- Government Procurement Law
- National Security & Cybersecurity Law
- Government Procurement & Cybersecurity Law
Each concentration includes core courses tailored to the chosen field, supplemented by various elective courses that allow students to deepen their knowledge in the concentration area. Customizing your course of study will enable you to examine the laws and regulations that impact your area of interest and set you up for future success.
Customize Your Degree With a Concentration Tailored to Your Goals
Study Part-Time or Full-Time, Online, On-Campus, or Hybrid
Government Procurement Law
The government procurement law concentration offers a comprehensive view of procurement systems in the U.S. and abroad, exposing students to diverse perspectives on emerging legal issues. Very few schools offer comparable programs; the GW MSL in Government Procurement Law is the best.
- Core curriculum and courses
- Students in this concentration learn to navigate the complexities of contracts, ensuring government agencies meet legal compliance requirements for each contracted procurement. Core courses include Formation of Government Contracts, Performance of Government Contracts, Government Contracts Cost and Pricing, and Anti-Corruption and Compliance.
- Career paths
- Graduates can pursue opportunities in various government, nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Potential career paths include contracting officer, contracts administrator, program manager, and procurement analyst.
- Ideal candidates
- Professionals interested in becoming future leaders and policymakers in the acquisition community domestically and abroad should consider this concentration to gain a rich understanding of how procurement systems operate worldwide. Many students in this concentration have prior experience in government or government-adjacent professions (e.g., the defense or tech industries).
National Security & Cybersecurity Law
The national security and cybersecurity law concentration explores the use of the internet and technologies, and the sophisticated cyber actors and nation-states who exploit vulnerabilities and develop methods to disrupt essential services.
- Core curriculum and courses
- Students in this concentration develop a deep understanding of legal concepts related to national security, cybersecurity, and U.S. foreign relations. Core courses include Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Writing for MSL Students, National Security Law and Cybersecurity Law and Technology.
- Career paths
- Graduates are prepared to work in government agencies, private corporations, and nonprofits as information security analysts, data scientists, computer systems analysts, software developers, public policy practitioners, and computer and information systems managers.
- Ideal candidates
- This concentration caters to students who want to develop an expertise in legal concepts related to national security, cybersecurity, and U.S. foreign relations law and become equipped to navigate the laws governing these topics. Many students in the program currently work in defense, intelligence, or information technology.
Government Procurement & Cybersecurity Law
The government procurement and cybersecurity law concentration helps meet the need for cybersecurity professionals within the government procurement process.
- Core curriculum and courses
- Students in this concentration explore government contracts, intellectual property law, and cybersecurity law and technology. Core courses include Formation of Government Contracts, Performance of Government Contracts, Government Procurement of Intellectual Property, and Cybersecurity Law and Technology.
- Career paths
- Graduates work in government agencies, private organizations, and nonprofits as program managers, contracting officers, contracts administrators, procurement analysts, IT auditors, cybersecurity analysts, cybersecurity managers, and penetration and vulnerability testers.
- Ideal candidates
- This concentration suits professionals who want to develop cybersecurity legal expertise in government procurement contracts and work on issues related to government contracts and national security and cyber threats.
How to Choose the Right Concentration for Your Goals
Choosing the right concentration represents an essential step in planning your future career. As you explore the available options, consider the following:
- Self-reflection: Reflecting on your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth can help you identify subjects at which you naturally excel, those you find challenging and may want to avoid, and skills you want to develop. Aligning your concentration with your areas of strength and growth can lead to greater success. Still, don’t be deterred from pursuing a subject of interest just because you find it challenging. GW Law is dedicated to students’ success and offers strong academic and professional support to help you thrive. Consider also your interests and passions to find something that will fulfill you personally and professionally.
- Industry demand: Research the market demand for positions in your field of interest to verify that they are stable and have a positive outlook. You should also examine salaries to understand your earnings potential and ensure they meet your expectations.
- Program research: Review the program curriculum for the concentration you are interested in to confirm it aligns with your career goals and can help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in your desired career. Check the admissions requirements to verify your experience matches the required qualifications, and consider the quality, flexibility and program benefits to ensure it will deliver the education and services you need to succeed.
- Seek guidance: Speak to trusted mentors, advisors, and industry professionals to gain insights and advice on choosing the right concentration. You can also connect with enrollment support services at GW Law to learn more about program concentrations and how they align with your experience and career goals.
Tailor Your Master of Studies in Law Degree to Your Interests
Before enrolling in GW’s Master of Studies in Law, consider your experience, career aspirations, interests, and passions to identify the concentration that will give you the foundation for a successful and fulfilling career in your chosen field. Whether you choose a concentration in government procurement law, national security and cybersecurity law, or government procurement and cybersecurity law, you will acquire the legal specialization to guide strategic discussions and decisions. If you want to learn more or need additional support, contact an enrollment advisor for individualized guidance and feedback.