Law and public service

This concentration offers specialized training at a time when organizations increasingly depend on digital infrastructure to protect information and critical systems. Demand is rising for professionals who understand cyber threats and are prepared to lead emergency planning and response efforts.

Coursework delves into topics ranging from cyber risk management and forensics to cyber policy and planning. Whether you’re focused on hazard mitigation or crisis response and recovery, this program supports a wide array of opportunities to advance your cybersecurity career.

As one of five concentrations in ASU’s online master’s in emergency management and homeland security, this program also promotes an all-hazards, all-threats knowledge base. You’ll gain a well-rounded understanding of hazards governance, program evaluation, geographic information systems and data analysis across a variety of emergency events.

Who's a good candidate for this program?

This program is designed for professionals who hold or are pursuing operational responsibilities related to cyber vulnerabilities and attacks, rather than technical roles. Common backgrounds include first response in fire and law enforcement, as well as experience in security operations across sectors.

Ideal candidates are looking to expand their impact by balancing foundational knowledge in emergency management and homeland security with targeted skills to address cyber risks. This expertise can lead to roles in operations, planning, program management and supervisorship across all levels of government and in private organizations.

Industries such as health care, insurance and banking are highly regulated fields with a variety of legal guidelines they are required to follow. Compliance law focuses on mandating the regulations these organizations must follow to continue operating safely and legally. Large institutions often establish compliance departments dedicated to creating processes to track these requirements and manage data verifying organizational track records.

Whether you’re looking to advance in your career or make a switch into this field, this MLS program can support your goals by building your knowledge of the legal principles that underlie various business and health care regulations. This educational background can facilitate your understanding of how to create institutional frameworks in your organizations that meet policy demands.

The skills and knowledge you’ll develop

This program equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to implement relevant laws, regulations and ethical standards within organizations of any size. Your expertise will help businesses uphold legal and ethical standards, avoid reputational damage and build trust with stakeholders and employees. You’ll be well prepared to take on these challenges after gaining skills such as:

• Assessing and managing risk
• Conducting internal investigations
• Developing compliance processes and programs
• Enforcing ethical decision-making
• Interpreting regulations and compliance requirements
• Managing recordkeeping and reporting

Additionally, you’ll study strategies for devising and maintaining reporting mechanisms associated with industry guidelines. Through foundational courses and electives, you’ll also build abilities in legal writing and other broadly applicable skills.

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.

This program explores how courts establish criminal liability through topics fundamental to justice and fairness in society. You’ll study the rights of suspected or convicted people, the roles of enforcement agencies and how laws differ by state and country.

Coursework is designed for non-lawyers who interact with legal systems like law enforcement, victim advocacy, social work or corporate compliance. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of criminal law’s influence on procedures, investigations and policy development, promoting ethical processes and fair outcomes in your field.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

In this program, you’ll build legal literacy and practical skills in areas such as:

• Criminal defense and due process rights.
• Criminal procedures, from arrest to sentencing.
• Ethical decision-making and risk management.
• Investigations and law enforcement processes.
• Public policy, advocacy and regulatory compliance.
• Victim protections and restorative justice.

This program blends Master of Legal Studies coursework with criminal law electives focused on evidence, post-conviction processes and justice system operations. It’s suited for professionals who want to expand their legal understanding without becoming a lawyer.

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

While an emphasis and concentration are similar, there are key differences.

• A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major requiring a minimum of 15 credit hours; at least nine must be upper division. The concentration appears on your ASU diploma and transcripts.
• An emphasis is a selected topic area defined within the major that’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared.

Protective measures available through intellectual property law allow businesses to safeguard advancements they’ve created and retain an edge in the marketplace. Pursuing this master's emphasis in intellectual property law can provide you with the background needed to:

• Assess when creative advancements are vulnerable to loss.
• Identify potential intellectual property protection options.
• Maintain competitive advantages through various techniques, including brand building.

The importance of intellectual property law

This interdisciplinary program explores fundamental legal principles, facilitating your growth in concepts related to the law, legal writing and more. Intellectual property law is a focus within the curriculum, helping you gain a deep understanding of copyrights, patents, trademarks and trade secrets. By studying intellectual property law, you'll gain the tools to protect your ideas, build a strong brand and manage creative content responsibly. Coursework explores the importance of trade secrets, NDAs and licensing agreements. This knowledge will equip you to handle collaborations, protect confidential information and negotiate favorable deals. Upon graduating, you’ll also have the skills to protect your work across borders and avoid legal risks. These insights are applicable across industries and prepare you for a wide range of professional roles.

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.

This program offers a broad understanding of the U.S. legal system and how it connects with other fields. You’ll build core expertise in legal concepts, analysis and writing you can apply to your current or future roles.

When you choose this emphasis, you’ll focus on the frameworks and policies that protect the environment and promote fair business practices. The curriculum examines the regulations that drive environmental protection, social responsibility and economic sustainability.

Sustainability law careers continue to grow in corporate settings and at all levels of government. You’ll graduate prepared to help organizations gain a competitive edge and make a positive impact while meeting their economic goals. Understanding how laws and regulations affect your industry can also set you apart from your peers.

The skills you’ll develop

• Climate change solutions
  • Apply mitigation and adaptation strategies, including emissions reduction and carbon trading mechanisms.
• Corporate governance
  • Embed sustainability goals and accountability into leadership structures and operations.
• Environmental compliance
  • Help organizations meet permit conditions, reporting obligations and regulatory standards to avoid penalties.
• Environmental impact assessment
  • Incorporate sustainability considerations into project planning and decision-making to reduce environmental harm.
• Social responsibility
  • Advance labor rights, human rights and transparency across global supply chains.
• Sustainable business strategies
  • Design strategies that align with legal requirements and environmental best practices to position organizations as responsible and future-focused.

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.