See where a legal education can take you.

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See where a legal education can take you.

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Master of Studies in Law Salary and Career Outlook

Get Immediate Career Benefits with a Graduate Certificate

Our online graduate certificate programs can be completed in 10 months. Build a concentrated expertise within specialized fields of law, and, for fields like health care compliance and HR, prepare to sit for key industry exams that will further your career.

When you complete your certificate program, you are half the way to earning your MSL. Should you decide to continue on for the master’s degree, you can apply the 15 credits you earned in your certificate program toward the 30 credits required for the full MSL.

Earn an MSL With a Focused Specialization

The MSL core curriculum is designed to help you start thinking like a lawyer. Beginning with a look into the U.S. legal system, you will gain the experience you need to start predicting answers to legal questions. From there, you will drill down on the specifics around contracts, torts, property, constitutional law, criminal law, and much more.

Then, with a strong legal foundation under your belt, the curriculum tied to your chosen specialization will elevate your legal acumen to give you an edge in your field, whether you are a seasoned professional looking to move up into a leadership position, or a career changer just getting started on your newly chosen career path.

Explore the career opportunities that a legal education can bring you.

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Program Brochure

Are you considering a master’s degree in law or a graduate certificate to take your career to the next level? Pitt Law’s Master of Studies in Law online program is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their careers with a versatile alternative to the traditional three-year JD degree. The certificate programs are ideal for those who are not currently looking to pursue a master’s degree.

Complete the form to get a program brochure for Pitt Law’s Online MSL plus your chosen specialization, or your chosen certificate program, delivered to your inbox.

Be Prepared to Sit for Key Industry Exams

Get the Advantage of an Accredited Program

The Health Care Compliance Certificate program is accredited by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB)®. With your Health Care Compliance Certificate or MSL with a Health Care Compliance specialization, you can be eligible to sit for:

Prove your HR Expertise

Graduates of the Human Resources Law Certificate program or the MSL with a Human Resources Law specialization program (who have fulfilled the applicable requirements) will be eligible to sit for industry-based human resources certification exams offered by:

Know More. Achieve More. Earn More.

With a master’s degree in hand, you on average can earn 18 percent more than you would with a bachelor’s degree alone.1 Total compensation will vary by the market you live in or near, and by your specific industry and position. Take a look at the highlighted positions below that relate back to each of our four specializations.

Female corporate compliance officer shaking hands with man at laptop

$96,4822
Corporate Compliance Officer

Compliance officers are responsible for managing risks for their organizations by ensuring state and federal laws and internal policies are being followed. They create policies, audit processes, and find meaningful methods to track compliance throughout the company.
Hand holding insurance forms on clipboard

$99,6663
Insurance Compliance Officer

In health care, insurance compliance officers ensure the company and its employees follow any requirements related to compliance issues, including laws and regulations, standards and policies. The insurance compliance officer is also responsible for developing and enforcing any internal processes.
Female operations director standing and speaking to two seated colleagues

$139,0104
HR Operations Director

HR operations directors are responsible for coordinating the internal structure of a business or organization. They assist in properly allocating talent throughout their companies and ensure an appropriate organizational structure to meet challenges and goals. They also develop internal policies and ensure they are followed.
Negotiator directing man to sign contract

$93,5715
Senior Contract Negotiator

Contract negotiators perform the duties associated with preparing and negotiating the specifics of a contract. Due to the ever-increasing reliance on contractors and freelance workers in today’s economy, the ability to negotiate the terms of a contract has become a valuable skill set in countless professions.

*Total annual compensation as of January 20, 2023.

I would absolutely recommend HCC online. The program is relevant to real-world practices and expanded upon my base of knowledge. I can now evolve as a leader and preceptor in the health care sector, where my employer and I can have the certainty and confidence to accept the challenges in the clinical, business, and now the regulatory fields that lie on the horizon.
Freddy C. ’20, Online Health Care Compliance Program Graduate

Go further with Pitt Law

Getting ahead starts with investing in yourself. Pitt Law’s online programs offer you the best cost for a well-rounded, practical legal education taught by world-renowned faculty. Get started on your path to achieving your career goals today.

Start Your Application

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Keep the Momentum Going

You are a busy professional, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the opportunity to further your education. The Online MSL program is crafted to fit into your schedule while getting you quickly up to speed on the legal system. In just two years, you can graduate with the skills you need to make waves in your field.


Gain insights quickly to accelerate your career. Step up into a leadership role or break into a new career path with Pitt Law.

I can't speak highly enough about the University of Pittsburgh Master of Studies in Law program. It has enabled me in my current senior manager role for Quality Systems & Compliance that hosts federal regulators, where I am able to use my legal experience and background extensively when regulators are on site.
Kenneth Cote Alumni Headshot
Kenneth Cote ’22, Online MSL with Health Care Compliance Specialization
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Online Experience
There’s never been a better time to learn online. See how you’ll grow your knowledge, network, and earning potential through our flexible and engaging online programs.

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Curriculum
Build a strong legal foundation. Learn what you need to know to master the law in your field of work. Experienced faculty bring the online curriculum to life.

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Faculty
Pitt Law’s world-renowned faculty members are leaders in their respective fields. They are also enthusiastic and compassionate mentors for Pitt Law students.

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Spring 2025 Admissions Deadlines

Dec
9
Priority Deadline
December 9
Spring 2025
Jan
6
Final Deadline
January 6
Spring 2025
Jan
13
Start Date
January 13
Spring 2025

Sources

  1. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from bls.gov/careeroutlook/2022/data-on-display/education-pays.htm
  2. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from glassdoor.com/Career/corporate-compliance-officer-career_KO0,28.htm
  3. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from glassdoor.com/Salaries/insurance-compliance-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,28.htm
  4. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from glassdoor.com/Salaries/hr-operations-director-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm
  5. Retrieved January 20, 2023, from glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-contract-negotiator-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm