Law and public service

This MLS program offers a broad understanding of the law, including legal concepts, analysis and writing. You’ll gain foundational insight that helps you connect legal knowledge to your current or future work with Native communities and governments.

With the central role tribes play in land management, economic development, health care and cultural preservation in the U.S., demand is growing for nonlawyer professionals who understand this legal framework. This program equips you to make ethical, effective and legally sound decisions when engaging with Native communities or in fields connected to tribal interests.

Courses build a foundation in legal principles related to economic development, gaming operations, jurisdictional authority, land rights, resource management, self-governance and tribal sovereignty. Whether you serve tribal governments, support Native-led initiatives or work across sectors, your knowledge of federal Indian law positions you to build stronger, more respectful relationships between governments.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

The curriculum prepares you to navigate the legal framework that shapes tribal, federal and state relations. You’ll learn how jurisdiction and authority are shared, where legal challenges emerge and how to support tribal sovereignty through respectful, effective engagement. You’ll build the abilities to:

• Navigate jurisdictional challenges in law enforcement, business, education and environmental regulation.
• Engage in land use, resource management and economic development aligned with tribal rights.
• Comply with federal laws affecting tribes, including the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.
• Apply ethical, culturally informed practices in cross-governmental and organizational settings.

What is a degree emphasis? Is it the same as a concentration?

A degree program emphasis is similar to a concentration, but there are key differences.

• A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major. It requires a minimum of 15 credit hours, with at least nine upper-division credit hours. Your concentration appears on both your ASU diploma and transcripts.
• An emphasis is a selected topic area within the major. It’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared. The emphasis will not appear on your diploma or transcripts.

As property development becomes more complex, legal considerations are as vital as economic, social and environmental factors; Yet few professionals have specialized expertise. This program provides the legal and regulatory knowledge to navigate zoning, development and real estate transactions.

Whether you work in or plan to pursue roles in community development, real estate development or urban planning, you’ll be prepared to help projects meet legal requirements and support sustainable growth. Your expertise can also protect environmental health and drive financial efficiencies that strengthen communities.

The skills you’ll develop

This MLS introduces you to legal concepts, analysis and writing. The real estate development law emphasis builds on that knowledge to equip you to guide land use decisions, focusing on community, sustainability and compliance. You’ll gain skills in areas such as:

• Affordable housing and community development
  • Explore policies, tax incentives and legal tools to support real estate development.
• Development approvals and permitting
  • Understand entitlement procedures, environmental impact reviews and the permitting process to ensure compliance and project progress.
• Real estate finance and investment regulations
  • Learn the legal aspects of real estate financing, including mortgages, liens and tax implications.
• Real estate transactions and contracts
  • Gain insight into contracts, leases, purchase agreements and financing structures to reduce risk and ensure smooth transactions.
• Risk management and dispute resolution
  • Study real estate conflicts and legal strategies to resolve issues and reduce liability.
• Zoning, variance and land use regulations
  • Understand zoning laws, land use planning and the regulatory frameworks that shape property development.

What is a degree emphasis? Is it the same as a concentration?

A degree program’s emphasis is similar to a concentration, but there are key differences.

• A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major. It requires a minimum of 15 credit hours, with at least nine upper-division credit hours. Your concentration appears on both your ASU diploma and transcripts.
• An emphasis is a selected topic area within the major. It’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared. The emphasis will not appear on your diploma or transcripts.

This MLS program examines the legal and regulatory structure behind the federal government’s annual contract spending, which totals hundreds of billions of dollars. Emphasis courses cover contract formation and termination, compliance, anti-corruption measures, risk management and ethical responsibilities.

Due to the complexity of this area of law and the limited number of experts, the ability to reduce legal risk and strengthen contract performance can give you a competitive edge after graduation. These skills are in demand across industries that work with federal agencies, including defense, health care, technology and construction.

The skills you’ll develop

This advanced legal degree helps you understand the law and apply it to your career without becoming a lawyer. You’ll build a foundation in legal principles, including reasoning, analysis and communication. Federal contracting law courses also build your experience in:

• Addressing cybersecurity and data protection requirements.
• Challenging contract awards and resolving disputes.
• Examining small business programs and certifications.
• Navigating cost rules and audit requirements.
• Studying the federal acquisition process.
• Understanding procurement procedures and contract types.

What is a degree emphasis? Is it the same as a concentration?

A degree program’s emphasis is similar to a concentration, but there are key differences.

• A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major. It requires a minimum of 15 credit hours, with at least nine upper-division credit hours. Your concentration appears on both your ASU diploma and transcripts.
• An emphasis is a selected topic area within the major. It’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared. The emphasis will not appear on your diploma or transcripts.

In this program, you’ll build a deep understanding of how the Navajo legal system operates within the larger framework of tribal governance. You’ll study the structure of tribal courts, learn how Navajo fundamental law shapes decision-making and gain insight into the legal challenges facing the Navajo Nation today.

By integrating traditional Diné values with modern legal practices, you’ll be prepared to promote justice and protect the rights of Navajo citizens. With knowledge of Navajo Nation law, you’ll also be ready to play an active role in advancing access to justice. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped to move confidently through court processes, advocate for your community and contribute to strengthening tribal sovereignty.

The skills you’ll develop

You gain foundational legal skills in research, analysis and communication. Coursework builds your ability to interpret laws, conduct legal research and develop critical thinking skills you can apply to various environments. With the Navajo Nation law emphasis, you’ll expand your expertise in tribal legal systems such as:

• Addressing case backlogs and improving tribal court efficiency.
• Applying Navajo Nation law to real legal issues.
• Navigating the Navajo legal system with cultural awareness.
• Protecting Navajo sovereignty and addressing critical legal needs.
• Strengthening tribal legal institutions and expanding access to justice.
• Supporting self-governance.

What is a degree emphasis? Is it the same as a concentration?

A degree program’s emphasis is similar to a concentration, but there are key differences.

• A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major. A concentration requires a minimum of 15 credit hours, of which at least nine credit hours must be upper division. Your concentration appears on both your ASU diploma and your transcripts.
• An emphasis is a selected topic area defined within the major. It’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared. The emphasis will not appear on your diploma or transcripts.

In this fully online JD program, you’ll gain the legal skills, knowledge and practical experience to drive change in your community. You’ll explore challenges and opportunities in rural and underserved areas where legal services are limited, as well as the broader impact of law on public service and public interest work.

Coursework immerses you in legal and trial advocacy, remote legal practice and courtroom procedures. You’ll also refine your critical thinking and practical legal skills while examining policy and governance. This training prepares you to expand access to justice and serve the public as a rural legal advocate, public defender, prosecuting attorney and more.

Earn your JD online from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

This program reflects a commitment to reshaping and innovating legal education. Designed to meet the demand for lawyers in rural and underserved areas, as well as in public service, this opportunity makes earning a JD more accessible than ever. With fewer geographic barriers, you can gain a top-tier legal education without relocating. This flexibility — combined with ASU Law’s consistent ranking among the top 15 public U.S. law schools by U.S. News & World Report — ensures you graduate with the knowledge and skills to excel in your legal career.

This part-time program is also built to fit your schedule while upholding quality. Whether you choose ASU’s on-campus JD or this technology-enhanced online option, you’ll learn the same curriculum from the same world-class faculty.

This MPA program prepares you for impactful public service leadership roles across all levels of government, nonprofits and private organizations. Throughout your courses, you'll delve into a core curriculum focusing on managerial and analytic skills essential for careers dedicated to the public good. You’ll learn how to integrate managerial, political and legal approaches to policy changes, as well as analyze ethical dilemmas and navigate the scrutiny faced by public organizations. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with crucial research and data analysis skills needed to evaluate organizational and public policies effectively. Topics you’ll cover include:

• Diversity
• Ethics
• Financial management
• Human resource management
• Leadership strategies
• Management
• Organizational behavior
• Policy analysis
• Power, legitimacy and authority
• Program evaluation
• Public management
• Public sector motivation

Who’s a good candidate for this MPA degree?

If you're about to graduate with a bachelor’s degree or have recently graduated, and you're looking to expand your education to prepare you for the professional world, then this MPA degree could be a great fit for you. Additionally, if you're currently working in a government or a nonprofit role and seeking career advancement, or if you're a private sector worker looking for more meaning in your work, this program could help you achieve your goals.

Additionally, military personnel looking to transition to civilian roles aligned with their values could also benefit from this program. However, if you're solely interested in professional and analytic skills without an application to public problems, you might be interested in our online Master of Science in program evaluation and data analytics program.

In this master’s in urban and environmental planning program, you’ll learn how to create healthier, safer and more vibrant communities. You’ll also engage with practical planning problems and contemporary planning challenges. Upon graduation, you’ll have the theoretical foundations, professional skills and practice-centered experience needed to become an urban planner or work in an allied field. This can include roles within urban design, architecture, engineering and development.

Additionally, you’ll be prepared to sit for the American Planning Association’s (APA) American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exam. Working toward this credential can give you a leg up when applying for roles.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

With faculty members drawing from expertise in research and practice, you’ll receive a robust education that covers planning knowledge and skills, planning values, ethics and emergent planning issues. You’ll also gain critical thinking abilities related to problem definition, solving and evaluation. Additional transferrable skills you’ll develop to support a career in the planning profession include:

• Graphic communications.
• Professional writing.
• Project management.
• Public participation and community engagement.
• Public speaking and presentation.
• Research and data analysis, including quantitative and qualitative methods.

Who’s a good candidate for this master’s program?

Urban planning professionals enter the field with a wide array of backgrounds. Ideal candidates are individuals with undergraduate degrees in urban planning, urban studies, public policy, geography, geographic information systems or related disciplines. This program can also be a great fit for those with professional planning experience or an interest in cities, neighborhoods and communities.