Law and public service - Technology law

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.

Technology is a powerful force shaping local, national and global futures. With care and attention centered on the public interest, technological advancements can improve human rights, social justice, sustainability and environmental justice. This public interest technology master’s trains leaders whose expertise involves helping organizations interact with people as global citizens rather than simply consumers.

Upon graduating, you can assess emerging technologies, engage with community stakeholders, identify issues of public interest, develop public consensus and deploy technologies that benefit humanity. You’ll also understand how to use technology to address socio-technical challenges, such as privacy encroachment, data breaches, unsustainable practices, humanitarian crises, energy inefficiencies and more.

The skills you’ll develop

This public interest technology master’s is unique because it focuses on social responsibility, rather than emphasizing programming and other technical competencies. This includes increasing your technological fluency and ability to work alongside professionals in policy, regulatory, business and sales contexts. Additionally, you’ll develop the skills needed to:

• Complete requirement analysis and feasibility studies.
• Conduct value propositions and impact assessments.
• Construct problem definitions and engage in needs assessments.
• Consult with stakeholders and write reports.
• Create high-level designs and business cases.
• Write media releases to reach a target audience and methodologies for research across organizational types.

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

Candidates with a wide variety of backgrounds can be an excellent fit for this program, from engineering and the natural sciences to the social sciences and humanities. As an applicant, you should be a risk-taker who wants to engage the public and learn about social systems. Ideal candidates also want to make positive changes in the world and believe technology is an invaluable asset.

Regardless of your academic and professional experiences before starting the program, you’ll graduate as a skilled advisor and designer of a publicly oriented, technological future. All graduates are prepared to shape society through stakeholder engagement, co-design processes and anticipatory governance.

This program focuses on maintaining compliance regulations in developing, approving and marketing medical products. You’ll learn how to apply regulations throughout the life cycle of medical products and pharmaceuticals with an emphasis on safety, quality and performance. Coursework in the online regulatory science degree covers:

• Clinical research.
• Ethics.
• Global regulatory affairs.
• Legal concerns.
• Quality systems.

Additionally, you can collaborate with peers studying clinical research management in certain courses to gain exposure to this related field and build relevant interpersonal abilities.

What do regulatory scientists do?

Regulatory scientists, regulatory affairs professionals and those in similar roles build careers focused on ensuring the safety and effectiveness of products.

Regulatory professionals are responsible for ensuring compliance with the high standards put in place by the Food and Drug Administration and similar agencies. While the efficacy and safety of medical end products are important, so is the alignment with rules related to development, testing, distribution and advertising.

Regulatory scientists build careers in many industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical research and medical devices. By obtaining a regulatory science master’s, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this industry and advance your career.

Who's a good candidate for this program?

This regulatory science master’s is a great fit for professionals who are interested in the regulation of medical products from discovery to market approval to post-market. This includes the regulation of new drugs, biologics, gene therapy, cell therapy and related medical research or devices.

The ideal candidate for this program has a background in pharmaceuticals, health science, health compliance, nursing or research. However, past regulatory science experience isn’t a strict requirement. Instead, a desire to support the health and safety of others is a key passion for students in this program and professionals in the field.

Are you interested in learning more about this program and other graduate health programs offered by the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation? Register now for an upcoming live, virtual information session.