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Online Experience

The Pitt Law Online Experience

Now is the perfect time to accelerate your career and stand out to employers by earning your legal degree or certificate online. Pitt Law’s online programs give you the same valuable education as you would receive from attending programs on campus, with the added advantage of asynchronous courses and geographical freedom. Transform your career on your terms, on your schedule, from your home.

As an online student, you are as much a part of the Pitt Law community as the on-campus students. In addition to your student ID, the Panther Card, you’ll have access to the University of Pittsburgh’s libraries (both in person and online) and invitations to attend university events, including receptions, guest speakers, and your graduation ceremony.

Learn more about what to expect from your online experience and the support you will receive on this exciting educational journey.

Benefits of the Online MSL and Certificate Programs

  • Learn on your schedule with asynchronous classes
  • Learn from experienced, working legal experts who teach and practice law in their respective areas of specialization
  • Gain access to a valued and diverse network of colleagues and mentors within the Pitt Law and broader Pitt communities
  • Build concentrated expertise to work more knowledgeably with lawyers and gain increased regulatory and legal awareness
  • Join the American Bar Association for free as a law student, gaining access to free and high-quality legal education programs on many topics as well as other numerous benefits
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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.

Online Experience Highlights

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Interactive Coursework
Access courses via Canvas, an intuitive online platform that facilitates interactive discussions and engaging quizzes.
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Accessible Faculty
Professors are available for virtual office hours and one-on-one mentorship throughout your time in the program.
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On-Demand Sessions
Balancing work and family responsibilities can be hard. Courses are asynchronous, so you can tailor your schedule to meet your needs.
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Collaborative Learning

As a student, you’ll build a sense of community with your peers through weekly discussions, peer feedback, and group assignments.
If you’re going to get the most out of any course curriculum that’s online, you have to rely on your classmates. We had an awesome class. That’s what another thing I really liked about this program is we all had such diverse backgrounds and came from different industries of health care. That was really cool. I learned a lot from my classmates, which was awesome.
Tim W.
Tim W., Health Care Compliance Certificate ’24

Experience Engaging Online Learning

Our students find that online learning opens up a variety of networking opportunities. As a student in Pitt Law’s Online MSL and graduate certificate programs, you will forge strong connections with your peers and professors. Get the details on the workload, class structure, and credit hours that bring the online experience together.

Get a Program Brochure

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Workload: What to Expect

You should plan to spend 10-15 hours per week on coursework. This includes all elements of your self-paced learning journey, including viewing modules in the learning management system, assignments, and asynchronous collaboration with your peers. While the time you spend on your courses is ultimately up to you, 10-15 hours is a suggested benchmark to keep you on track.
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Class Structure

The learning management system is highly organized, intuitive, and dynamic. You can access course materials 24/7, and all quizzes and assignments are submitted through real-time submission links. Your instructor supports your progress, interacting with you through email, comments on assignments, discussion threads, and group and private discussions, primarily held over Zoom.
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Counting Up Credit Hours

You will take two to three courses each semester for the online MSL and certificate programs. To complete the MSL program, you earn 15 credits from the MSL core curriculum and 15 credits in your chosen specialization. To complete any graduate certificate, you will need to complete 15 credits within that program. These credits can be applied to the MSL degree should you choose to continue on for your master’s.

Online Course Demo

Check out this demo video to get a small taste of the learning management system you’ll use as a Pitt Law online student. Ryan from the Student Success team walks you through the Contracts course, providing insider tips for success and highlighting elements of the course that accommodate various learning styles. Created with the full-time working professional in mind, these courses are engaging and collaborative, maximizing your opportunities for growth and networking.

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Tips for Success in an Online Program

Success in an online graduate program requires effective time management and active engagement with the learning materials. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

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Stay Organized
Review the syllabus at the start of each course to get a sense of what the semester will look like. Use digital tools like calendars, task managers, and note-taking apps to keep track of deadlines, manage assignments, and store important information.
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Create a Study Schedule
Design a consistent weekly schedule that allocates specific times to complete your reading, watch recordings of your lectures, participate in the weekly class discussions, and finish assignments. Stick to your schedule as closely as possible to build a routine.
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Leverage Technology
Familiarize yourself with the tools and platforms used in your program. This includes video conferencing software, learning management systems, and any other relevant technology.
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Engage with Course Material

Actively participate in online discussions, ask questions, and seek clarification from your peers and your professor. Engaging with the material deeply solidifies learning and enhances your understanding.
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Communicate Regularly with Instructors

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your instructors for help or clarification. Schedule time to meet with your professor. Establishing a good relationship can be beneficial academically and professionally.
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Seek Support when Needed

Seek help from your student success coordinator if you’re feeling overwhelmed. They can help you pinpoint resources to help you find success in your program.
When a student enters a new online course, it should feel like walking into a familiar room. We took this approach because our students are incredibly busy—most have families and work full time. The consistency of class design and delivery of the online MSL core courses and the certificate courses reduces stress and enables the online student to get to work on content. The course materials are organized by weekly modules, which makes it easy for students to know what work to complete when.
Mary Nell Cummings
Mary Nell Cummings, Health Care Compliance Program Director
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Your Success is Our Purpose

Your admissions outreach advisor supported you through the application process, but what happens once you’ve been accepted? From acceptance through graduation, your student success coordinator will take on an active role to ensure you get the most out of your Pitt Law online experience, whether you are going for the full MSL or a graduate certificate. The student success coordinators are there to help you with any questions or guidance, as well as a full complement of resources that will be available throughout the program.

To get you off to the best possible start, you will receive several check-ins from your student success coordinator, from tech-checks to registration to the first day of classes and more. You will also go through an orientation that serves as an introduction to our learning management system, familiarizing you with its tools, forms of communication, and best practices for success in an online environment. From there, your student success coordinator will be just a call or email away to ensure your continued success.

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Application Requirements

Before you start your application, explore the application requirements for the Online MSL and specializations, as well as the certificate programs, at Pitt Law.

View Application Requirements
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Faculty

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

Meet the Faculty
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Careers

Whether you are looking to move up to a leadership position in your current field or are a career changer looking for a way to stand out, Pitt Law can help. See where a legal education can take you.

Drive Your Career Forward
Madeline Nakfoor

Madeline Nakfoor

Forge ahead.

Schedule a call with one of our knowledgeable advisors to discuss if the online experience is the right fit for you.

Contact an Admissions Outreach Advisor

Fall 2025 Admissions Deadlines

Jul
14
Priority Deadline
July 14
Fall 2025
Aug
13
Final Deadline
August 13
Fall 2025
Aug
18
Start Date
August 18
Fall 2025