Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

The Master of Laws degree online is a graduate degree that caters to international students looking to expand their legal knowledge, gain academic credentials or specialize in a particular legal field. Depending on your focus area, this program can take anywhere from one to three years to complete.

In this program, you’ll gain transferable skills applicable to any legal field, such as the understanding of:

• Legal analysis and reasoning, legal research and problem-solving.
• Professional and ethical responsibilities to clients and the legal system.
• Substantive and procedural law.
• The U.S. legal system and common terminology.
• Written and oral communication in the legal context.

As an international student, you’ll gain enhanced knowledge about the U.S. legal system and specialized topics of law. However, completion of this program is unlikely to qualify you to sit for a U.S. bar exam.

Who is a good candidate for this online LLM program?

The Master of Laws degree online provides a great opportunity for those already practicing law outside of the U.S. to pivot or learn more about a new area. The ideal candidate is a legal professional looking to do some combination of the following:

• Focus on a specific area of law.
• Learn how to navigate legal systems in other countries/get international experience.
• Research and publish.
• Transition into a new area of practice.

Specialize your practice with an online LLM

This online Master of Law degree program is customizable to your legal career aspirations. Whether you’re an international lawyer looking to learn about the U.S. legal system or a seasoned attorney wanting to specialize in a new area of law, there are courses that fit your interests. The program curriculum includes diverse topics ranging from legal analysis and writing to regulatory law, intellectual property and more. Available focus areas include:

• Conflict resolution.
• Construction law.
• Contract management.
• Corporate and health care compliance.
• Criminal law.
• Human resources and employment law.
• Indian gaming.
• Intellectual property.
• Law and sustainability.
• Sports law and business.
• Tribal self-governance.

In this program, you’ll build knowledge of employment law and human capital management, as well as how to navigate the local, state and federal laws that regulate labor markets. This knowledge becomes increasingly critical to support organizational operations as HR professionals advance to higher roles. Graduates will also acquire a deep understanding of U.S. law, legal structures and legal reasoning when making decisions about human resource problems.

In addition to learning about the metrics and measurements of HR, the role of HR in organizations and strategic HR, you’ll also gain valuable skills in areas such as:

• Compensation and benefits.
• Employee and labor relations.
• Job analysis and design.
• Performance management.
• Training and development.
• Workplace health, safety and security.
• Workplace planning and talent management.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This program offers non-lawyer human resources, recruitment and operations professionals opportunities to further their skills and credentials. Whether established or new to the field, ideal candidates are interested in employment law and seek advanced human resource management roles.

Additionally, this program is an excellent step toward becoming SHRM certified. The Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), a premier HR professional organization, has recognized ASU Law as the first law school fully aligned with the SHRM curriculum guidelines. This paves the way for students who enroll in this program to apply for the SHRM Certification Professional (SHRM-CP) exam. This certification is a distinction that many employers recognize when hiring and promoting HR and employment law professionals. Those who already have SHRM certification can receive continuing education credit for completing courses.

Indian gaming is estimated to generate more than $30 billion in gross gaming revenues annually. Indian gaming, and the legal act that regulates it, includes card games, machines such as slots, and gambling that often takes place in casinos. This industry has a substantial positive impact on the provision of governmental services to tribal and non-tribal communities. Indian gaming revenues support education, health care, housing, law enforcement, social services and a multitude of other services and infrastructure for tribal and surrounding communities.

Indian gaming is a highly regulated and specialized field in which tribes, gaming enterprises, federal entities, states and local governments have a demand for legal professionals to help them excel. The industry is evolving, with tribes increasingly managing gaming facilities of other tribes, and there’s been an influx of technological advancements in Indian gaming.

This Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in Indian gaming teaches you how to navigate the Indian gaming industry’s challenges through an understanding of its intricacies and the associated legal, regulatory and policy factors involved. The lands are sovereign, and each reservation its own state. So, you must understand how the laws govern these areas and be able to navigate the legal hurdles.

How will this degree introduce me to Indian gaming law and casino management?

The Indian gaming emphasis of the Master of Legal Studies equips professionals with essential background in federal Indian law, Indian gaming law and comprehensive courses designed to secure employment relating to Indian gaming.

It is the only law program in the country that provides a graduate-level, in-depth curriculum covering all aspects of Indian gaming, including:

• Evolving trends in Indian gaming.
• Intergovernmental-agreements.
• The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
• The legal history of Indian gaming.
• The role of tribal and federal regulatory agencies.
• Tribal-state compacts.

The program provides externship opportunities with prominent tribes, federal entities and gaming management entities in the Indian gaming industry.

What can I do with Indian gaming skills?

The Indian gaming industry is trending toward hiring executives who have multifaceted skills in federal Indian law plus other areas such as business and human resources. So, this Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in Indian gaming is an ideal degree for those aspiring to work at the highest levels of Indian gaming but do not wish to be a lawyer.

Indian gaming degree emphasis graduates can find work with:

• Federal entities such as the Department of the Interior.
• Gaming enterprises.
• Inter-tribal organizations.
• Non-tribal entities that do business with tribes.
• States and municipalities that interact with tribes on regulatory and governance issues.
• The National Indian Gaming Commission.
• Tribes.

Graduates may serve as:

• Congressional staff.
• Federal, state and local employees.
• Senior or mid-level executives.
• Tribal officials responsible for overseeing their tribal gaming operations.

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.

Strong tribal governments promote the health and well-being of people living within the communities they serve. Trained professionals in this field implement federal support programs and advance tribal self-governance through various legal and policy mechanisms. 

Ideal for individuals who wish to support tribes and federal agencies, this program is the only master’s level program in the country with an in-depth curriculum covering tribal self-governance. You’ll learn to plan, negotiate and implement self-governance agreements while promoting the health and welfare of tribal communities.

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.
   

The law touches everyone, especially businesses. A primary example is effective contracts, which are foundational for most organizations. If you’re seeking a better understanding of business and government contracts, the master’s in legal studies with an emphasis in contract management may be a great fit for you. This program is an excellent option for legal studies students exploring emphases in business, compliance or HR.

Taught by experienced faculty and professionals, the contract management degree emphasis provides you with a background in legal principles and analysis. This background lays the foundation for effectively drafting, reviewing and analyzing contracts. Throughout the degree program, you'll also learn contract lifecycle and management techniques.

What is contract management?

Contract management is the administration of legally binding mutual agreements that are enforceable by law. This area of legal studies helps ensure agreements between two or more parties are legal and clear. A mastery of contract law allows professionals to effectively create, revise and enforce agreements. These relationships are common with customers, vendors, partners and employers.

Master contract law basics

A legal studies degree can help you understand the relationship between the law and a wide variety of fields. As such, you’ll gain legal knowledge and a variety of skills that can help you advance in your current career or prepare you to pursue a new career option:

• Apply legal analysis to move ideas and projects forward.
• Evaluate legal issues, including pros and cons, objectively.
• Perform legal research.
• Remove biases from influencing thought.

In addition to the skills listed above, the contract management emphasis can help you hone specific areas that prepare you to read and revise business and government contracts. These skills will equip you with the ability to:

• Define duties and obligations in contracts.
• Determine consequences for contract breaches.
• Draft contract provisions.
• Effectively read contracts.
• Recognize the implications of contract breaches.
• Successfully enter and legally exit contracts.
• Understand goals focused on contract management.

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 legal principles shape the planning, development and execution of construction projects. You’ll explore construction law from the perspectives of project managers, contractors, architects and owners.

Coursework covers general Master of Legal Studies topics with electives focused on construction contracts, contractor and subcontractor relationships, site conditions and environmental considerations. You’ll also study regulations governing permits, safety, compliance and sustainability in construction.

An understanding of the legal landscape will allow you to manage risk, avoid disputes and ensure projects run smoothly from contract to completion. 

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

In this program, you’ll learn how to:

• Address payment issues, project delays and tort liability.
• Fulfill professional responsibilities, including ethical conduct and insurance requirements.
• Manage construction contracts and legal agreements.
• Navigate zoning, permitting, safety and environmental regulations.
• Resolve disputes through mediation, arbitration or litigation.

This program is ideal for professionals in construction, architecture, real estate and city planning who want to better understand legal requirements and protect their interests.

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

A degree 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.

Conflict is part of everyday life, and knowing how to address it effectively is a valuable skill in any career. This program will equip you with a legal foundation and critical thinking skills to manage disputes in various settings.

You’ll learn the root cause of conflict and apply legal reasoning, mediation and negotiation techniques to help others reach resolutions. You’ll also explore how legal systems intersect with real-world challenges and the dynamics of conflict in workplaces, communities and families.

Courses cover topics relevant to human resources and criminal law, as well as family and divorce mediation. This emphasis gives you tools to resolve disputes while preserving relationships, preparing you to be an asset in any field where collaboration and communication matter.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

In this emphasis area, you’ll learn to:

• Analyze legal frameworks affecting conflict resolution, including contract and tort law.
• Communicate effectively across cultures and backgrounds.
• Facilitate mediation and negotiation sessions that lead to practical outcomes.
• Identify the core issues behind conflict and determine the most appropriate resolution method.
• Manage disputes in commercial, community, workplace and family contexts.
• Navigate ethical responsibilities as a conflict resolution professional.
• Use dispute resolution such as arbitration, facilitation and collaborative law.

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.