Government procurement is big business. Consider the Department of Defense (DoD), which typically receives the majority of discretionary funds; it accounted for over half of all federal government purchases of goods and services in 2023, representing 3.6% of the U.S. GDP. The DoD’s budget for the fiscal year 2024 totals $842 billion, of which 35% is allocated to intermediate goods and services, including 28% for private contractors and 7% for fuel, ammunition and spare parts. Another 26% covers equipment, structures, and intellectual property.
The DoD is hardly the only big spender among U.S. government agencies. In 2022, civilian agencies spent $230 billion on services such as support, medical, and operations and an additional $49 billion on products, including precious metals, medical equipment, and vehicles.
These procurements involve contracts and regulations, requiring professionals who can navigate the government contract bidding process, as well as read, understand and execute legal agreements. Legal acumen is invaluable in today’s business world, especially vendors working with the government. Vendors typically hire lawyers to negotiate contracts, but involving lawyers in every aspect of implementing agreements is costly and impractical. Government procurement managers likewise require mastery of the laws and regulations that set parameters for their work.
That’s where non-lawyer legal experts come in. A Master of Studies in Law (MSL), like the MSL offered online at The George Washington University Law School, can equip current and prospective government and business professionals with the legal expertise to effectively manage procurements and related activities. Continue reading to learn more about the GW Law MSL, including the option to pursue a concentration in government procurement law, national security, or cybersecurity law.
Build Legal Expertise for Your Procurement Career
Tailor Your MSL With Specialized Concentrations
Overview: The MSL Program at The George Washington University Law School
The GW Law MSL program prepares non-lawyers to interpret and manage complex legal environments. It caters to professionals working in government, business, finance, and insurance, and to those in roles where legal expertise proves essential, including compliance officers, consultants, and policy analysts. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree and at least three years of relevant professional experience.
The 24-credit MSL curriculum covers the law and its application in various contexts. It offers three concentrations, enabling students to align their coursework with their background and career goals.
- Government Procurement Law examines procurement systems and the laws and regulations that govern them. Courses cover government contracts, anti-corruption and compliance, and procurement law, among others. GW Law has the No. 1 government procurement law program in the country, if not the world.
- National Security & Cybersecurity Law focuses on legal and policy issues related to national security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, big data, and emerging technologies. Courses examine laws impacting national security, international human rights law, the application of laws to the cyber domain, and information privacy laws. Students learn from leading experts on cyber law issues, and are taught by professors from the National Security Agency and the CIA, among others.
- Government Procurement & Cybersecurity Law prepares students to meet the growing need for cybersecurity legal expertise within government procurement law. Courses explore government contracts, intellectual property, and cybersecurity law and policy, among other topics. According to Jessica Tillipman, Associate Dean for Government Procurement Law, “We need cybersecurity specialists who understand government procurement. There’s a real demand for it.”
The GW Law MSL program offers a flexible format. Students can study on campus, 100% online, or through a combination of modalities. Students benefit from academic and professional support, networking opportunities, and mentorship from faculty members recognized as experts and actively engaged in their fields.
Areas of Expertise an MSL Adds to Your Resume
An MSL program develops students’ expertise in critical areas to prepare them to address legal challenges and compliance issues in the worlds of government procurement and the businesses that provide goods and services.
Government Contracts
Students in the GW Law Government Procurement MSL program develop essential knowledge related to government contracts, including contract formation and litigation, managing contract performance and disputes, and the legal aspects of cost and pricing. They also enhance their writing skills to communicate government contract issues effectively.
Compliance
Compliance refers to adherence to rules, laws, standards or policies. In procurement, it relates to following laws and regulations to operate legally and ethically. A solid understanding of compliance helps professionals ensure their organizations meet all required standards, avoid legal issues and maintain a favorable reputation.
Bid Protests
Companies or individuals file bid protests when they believe the government awarded a contract unfairly or improperly. Gaining legal expertise in managing and resolving bid protests helps business professionals advocate for clients, ensure fair contract awards, and clarify legal ambiguities related to government contracts.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property involves creations of the mind—including inventions, literary works, and images—that people can own and protect through legal measures. Intellectual property helps businesses establish a brand identity and gain a competitive edge by preventing other companies from using their protected assets. Government Contract Law MSL students learn about protecting intellectual property through patents, trademarks, and copyrights and explore how these laws relate to government procurement rules. Learning to navigate intellectual property laws helps professionals ensure compliance with government rules and protect their unique assets.
Other Transaction Authority
The federal government uses Other Transaction Authority (OTA), a type of contract that offers greater flexibility than traditional procurement methods, for prototype projects and research. In GW Law’s Government Procurement MSL program, students learn to identify OTA requirements, permissible uses and relevant restrictions, essential skills for advising on federal actions, and managing contracts effectively. A solid understanding of OTA enables professionals to explore alternatives to traditional procurement methods, potentially improving contract management, resource efficiency, and business opportunities.
Cybersecurity Law
Cybersecurity law consists of rules and regulations governing activities and transactions online or through digital technologies. Understanding cybersecurity law helps business professionals manage cyber risks, comply with regulations, and protect against emerging cyber threats to secure an organization’s assets.
Information Privacy Law
Information privacy laws regulate the collection, use, and storage of personal data. Professionals who understand these laws can ensure their organization manages data responsibly and securely, avoiding legal issues and fines while protecting its reputation.
Career Opportunities with an MSL
Legal expertise can benefit procurement professionals in many roles. As program alumnus Thomas Hendrix explains, “The government is a massive customer and spends a tremendous amount of money on research and development; for certain industries it is essentially a monopoly, or single buyer market. The MSL degree program is for anyone who works in industries that work closely with government and wish to tap into the buying power of the federal enterprise.”
Possible career outcomes for graduates of an MSL program include:
- Business intelligence analyst: A business intelligence analyst collects and analyzes data to identify process improvements, create reports, and deliver recommendations based on their findings. Legal expertise helps them ensure compliance with privacy laws and regulations, protecting the organization.
- Compliance officer: A compliance officer ensures that a company or agency abides by laws, regulations, and internal policies, trains employees on compliance, and establishes practices to maintain adherence. Legal expertise helps compliance officers understand laws and regulations, ensuring their organization adheres to legal standards and avoids penalties.
- Contracting officer: Contract officers oversee contracts from creation through negotiation and oversight, ensuring legal accuracy, financial soundness, and alignment with business goals. They use legal expertise to ensure contract accuracy, navigate legal issues, and maintain compliance.
- Entrepreneur: An entrepreneur starts and manages a business, taking on the risks and responsibilities of achieving success. Legal knowledge helps entrepreneurs navigate regulations, avoid legal problems, protect assets and customer data, and understand contracts.
- Human resources director: A human resources (HR) director oversees the HR department to ensure legal compliance and support company objectives. An HR director applies legal expertise to navigate regulations, maintain compliance, resolve employee issues, and avoid legal problems.
- Mediator: A mediator helps resolve disputes by guiding opposing parties through conversations to find a mutually agreeable solution and avoid legal action. Legal expertise enables mediators to navigate the legal aspects of disputes and confirm that resolutions comply with legal standards.
- Payroll manager: Payroll managers oversee payroll processes and team members to ensure timely and accurate payments and compliance with regulations. They use legal knowledge to comply with laws and regulations and maintain accurate records.
How to Get Started with the GW Law Master of Studies in Law Program
The GW Law MSL program prepares students for government and business careers by equipping them with the skills to understand and navigate complex legal environments. Its flexible format enables students to earn their degrees online without disrupting their personal or professional lives. Professional development and networking opportunities support students’ career aspirations.
To begin your journey, explore the admission requirements and start your application. Connect with an enrollment adviser for more information about GW Law, program outcomes, available concentrations, or submitting a competitive application.