Online Master’s in Compliance

The Online Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) in Corporate Compliance from Fordham University

An Online M.S.L. for Non-Lawyers

The online Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) in Corporate Compliance from Fordham Law allows non-lawyers to earn a degree from a top-30 law school1 and advance their knowledge of compliance. Our interactive online program offers our students the opportunity to learn from experienced Fordham Law faculty, and the flexibility to study at a time and location that works best for their busy schedules.

Fordham Law School equips professionals from across all industries with the specific skills needed to find effective, ethical compliance solutions and advance their careers.

Online M.S.L. Admissions

The online M.S.L. in Corporate Compliance prepares students to become experts in the field of compliance. The program has three start dates per year and accepts applications on a rolling basis.

Speak with an admissions counselor or visit our Admissions page for more information.

Application Requirements

Completed online applications are reviewed comprehensively by our dedicated admissions team and should include the following:

Statement of Purpose — A 500-word statement describing your reasons for pursuing a master’s in compliance, your five-year career plan, and the contributions you hope to make to the profession.

Letters of Recommendation — Two letters of recommendation, each from someone who knows you well and can provide a candid, personalized evaluation of your career potential. 

Resume — A current resume or CV including your complete university-level educational experience, complete employment history, and any additional academic or professional activities. Also, make sure to add any inclusions in publications or presentations. 

Please note, applicants with a minimum of two years of compliance-related work experience are preferred. 

Transcripts — Official transcripts for all degree-bearing courses taken (as part of a complete or incomplete degree). If a course is mentioned on your resume, it must be present in your official transcripts. 

Many schools issue transcripts electronically. If this is the case for your former institutions, have your transcripts sent to [email protected]. You may need to manually enter this email address if it does not appear in the pick list. Please do not select the general “Fordham University” option, as your transcripts will not then reach the correct office.

To mail your transcripts, request that your sealed, official transcripts be sent directly to: 

Fordham University
Application Processing Center
Fordham M.S.L. Online
PO Box 30096 006-003
College Station, TX 77842

Students who have completed a degree outside the United States are also required to submit official English-language transcripts or a third-party evaluation of their academic credentials. We accept academic credential evaluations accepted from any NACES-recommended service provider. Exceptions are made for institutions in English-speaking Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. 

Please note that to be considered an official transcript, a transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. A transcript submitted by an enrolled or prospective student is considered an unofficial document, even if it is in a sealed envelope provided by the issuing university. 

TOEFL Scores — International applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IETLS) exam, unless they hold a degree from an institution in the United States, any Caribbean Island where English is the sole official language, Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, or the United Kingdom. 

We look for a minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL IBT or 7 on the IELTS exam. Fordham’s online M.S.L. TOEFL code is C462. 

Application Fee — The nonrefundable application fee for the M.S.L. in Corporate Compliance degree is $70. To be considered for the program, you must have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited university. Please note that GRE, GMAT, and LSAT scores are not required to apply. 

If you have earned a J.D., LL.B., or any other law degree, you are not eligible for the online M.S.L. program. You should instead explore Fordham Law’s on-campus LL.M. degree program. 

A Customizable Compliance Curriculum

In as few as 12 months, the online M.S.L. in Corporate Compliance program equips professionals in compliance or related fields with the skills they need to protect their organizations from risk amid constant regulatory changes. Students gain a deep understanding of the role of the corporate compliance office, and learn how to design and implement a compliance program. 

Students explore key legal topics, such as: 

• Risk assessment
• Anti-money laundering laws
• Anti-corruption laws (including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act)
• Federal securities laws
• Crisis management
• Cultures of compliance, and how to build one
• Statutes and regulations
• Corporate shifts that emphasize Environmental, Social, and Government (ESG)

During the program, you will complete online coursework, attend one in-person colloquium on Fordham Law’s Manhattan campus, and conclude your studies with a capstone project. We offer four specialized program tracks, allowing you to differentiate yourself in a competitive job market and focus on the topics most relevant to your career. 

Required Courses

You will build foundational knowledge and skills in these courses: 

• U.S. Law and Legal Institutions (3 credits)
• Introduction to Corporate Compliance (3 credits)
• Compliance Risk Assessment (3 credits)
• Colloquium (1 credit)

View additional course descriptions.

Specialized Tracks

After completing introductory coursework on U.S. law and legal institutions, you may choose to specialize your degree with one of four optional and flexible program tracks that will help you develop industry-specific expertise. 

Why Study Online at Fordham Law School?

Located in the heart of New York City, one of the world’s corporate capitals, Fordham Law School is a top-30 law school committed to providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to advance in compliance-related careers. In 2016, we became the first law school in the nation to offer a compliance-focused master’s degree. With the introduction of our online option in 2019, our students can now access the best of Fordham from wherever they are. 

Flexible Class Times
Organize your classes around your personal and professional obligations. Fordham Law offers live, online sessions in the morning and evening to accommodate various schedules. 

Distinguished Faculty
Cultivate relationships with compliance experts in the field. You will work directly with Fordham Law faculty in your classes and have access to one-on-one discussion opportunities. 

Intuitive Study Tools
Customize your learning experience with features like dark mode, searchable video transcripts, and streaming. You can complete assignments anywhere — even offline — using our mobile app. 

A Powerful Network
Leverage Fordham’s New York City connections and global alumni network, and build your compliance network at events often hosted in partnership with Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. 

In-Person Colloquium
Interact with classmates, faculty, and top compliance professionals during an in-person colloquium at Fordham’s New York City Lincoln Center campus.

Student Spotlight

Our online students are experienced, driven change-makers, bringing a range of professional, educational, and cultural backgrounds to the classroom. Here are first-hand examples of the student experience:

Online M.S.L. Student Experience

The online M.S.L. in Corporate Compliance combines a quality curriculum with the convenience of online learning. The program is dedicated to broadening your opportunities and helping you develop into a compliance expert who can help guide your organization into the future. 

As a student, you will benefit from Fordham’s resources through highly interactive live, online classes and asynchronous virtual coursework. 

While enrolled in our online program, you will benefit from the following features:

• Online Dashboard — Access upcoming assignments, live classes, grades, and 24/7 tech support. All features of the online dashboard are also available on the mobile app.
• Weekly Live Classes — Attend seminar-style online classes hosted on the Zoom HD platform where you can directly interact with Fordham faculty, collaborate with classmates, and participate in real time.
• Personalized Learning Experience — Personalize the way you complete your coursework to align with your learning style. Stream to your TV, utilize dark mode to avoid eye strain at night, and take advantage of varying video speeds and searchable transcripts to successfully digest content.
• Student Support — Receive support from your dedicated academic and student success advisers, program directors, and Fordham faculty, who will help you further your development throughout the program.

Networking Opportunities — Connect with our national network of faculty and peers from across the country and take advantage of presentations and talks with industry leaders, and student leadership opportunities.

Safeguard Your Organization with an Online M.S.L. from Fordham