This newest program is just one in a series of steps Regent Law is taking in its efforts to position the school for the future and better meet the needs of employers and students.
"Regent Law is, again, at the vanguard at reforming legal education and making it attainable," said Sean Kirnan, director of Enrollment Marketing & Communication for the School of Law. Other recent program innovations include options for a two-year J.D. and the launch of the Center for Ethical Formation and Legal Education Reform.
Though many occupations in the current climate of employment do not require a three-year J.D., Jeffrey Brauch, dean of Regent Law, emphasized that the in-depth legal training the M.A. in Law will provide to students will be extremely beneficial for many organizations.
"We are excited to broaden the law school's reach with this new master's program; many jobs and careers today require individuals to interact with legal issues in some meaningful way," said Brauch. "As with our successful J.D. program, we are committed to training individuals to display excellence and integrity in all that they do."
Due to the pervasive nature of law, Kirnan explained that the M.A. in Law is a "competitively-priced credential," with each class designed to be very practical for those interested in law, but not wishing to be practicing attorneys.
"We're becoming an increasingly-regulated society—laws and regulations aren't going anywhere anytime soon, in fact they're increasing," said Kirnan. "This graduate degree's subject matter is directly applicable to immediate, urgent situations that are going to impact an organization's bottom line."
The 30-credit-hour "hybrid" program—offering courses both online and on campus—consists of six concentrations that students can choose from, including Business Management, Human Resources Management, Non-Profit Management, Business & Commercial Law, National Security and Criminal Justice.
Each concentration is designed to guide professionals through legal matters that may arise in their respective organizations, giving them the same quality of education, without requiring them to advance to a full degree allowing them to practice law.
"We do believe that God is calling students to get a J.D; we can say this with confidence," said Kirnan. "But we also get the sense that He isn't calling everyone to get a J.D., and therefore we want to be able to respond to the market need."
Learn more about Regent University School of Law.
By Brett Wilson