MSL in Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law
Program Overview
The MSL in Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law is a graduate-level professional degree designed for experienced practitioners seeking advanced legal and regulatory expertise in corporate governance, financial regulation, and compliance oversight. This MSL program is built for working professionals and does not require a JD for admission. Students in this corporate compliance law master’s examine how legal frameworks shape corporate conduct, financial markets, and regulatory risk management across public- and private-sector organizations. Offered online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format, the program serves professionals in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond.
Program at a Glance
24 Credits
1-2 Years
Program Duration
(Full-Time/Part-Time)
Online,
On-Campus, or Hybrid
Format
June 1, 2026
Fall 2026 Application Deadline
$63,600 + fees
Approximate Tuition
What is Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law?
Business, finance, and corporate compliance law is a specialized field that examines how legal frameworks govern corporate conduct, financial markets, and regulatory oversight in an increasingly complex global economy. The field explores how organizations manage legal risk while complying with financial regulations, corporate governance standards, and regulatory enforcement requirements. Professionals working in this area must understand both corporate governance and regulatory compliance, enabling them to support ethical business practices, oversee compliance programs, and address legal risks affecting corporations, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies.
Flexible Format
- Study online, on-campus, or hybrid.
- Enroll full-time or part-time.
- Learn on a schedule built for professionals.
Only-at-GW Experience
- Experience collaborative, practice‑driven learning with faculty deeply connected in Washington, DC, and worldwide.
- Build expertise across financial compliance, privacy, governance, labor, and regulatory specialties.
Gain a Professional Edge
- Lead compliance teams, advise leadership, and step into roles that require an understanding of how law intersects with business strategy
- Navigate complex regulations confidently with practical, industry‑aligned legal expertise.
- Build specialized compliance knowledge that elevates your impact—no JD required.
Curriculum Highlights
The curriculum in the business, finance, and corporate compliance law master's program includes foundational coursework in U.S. law, corporate law, financial regulation, and corporate compliance, along with specialized electives addressing emerging regulatory and governance challenges. Students examine how legal frameworks shape corporate governance, financial oversight, and regulatory compliance across global markets.
Students complete required coursework in corporations and legal foundations, along with additional credits from core and elective courses covering topics such as securities regulation, banking law, anti-corruption compliance, corporate finance, privacy law, and white-collar crime.
| Courses | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (First Semester) | ||
| Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Writing for MSL Students (6950) | 3 credits | |
| Corporations (6250) | 4 credits | |
| Core Courses and Electives | ||
| Securities Regulation (6252) | 3 credits | |
| Banking Law (6290) | 2 credits | |
| Blockchain: Law, Policy, and Cybersecurity (6894) | 2 credits | |
| Anti-Corruption and Compliance (6511) | 2 credits | |
| International Money Laundering, Corruption, and Terrorism (6521) | 3 credits | |
| Information Privacy Law (6486) | 3 credits | |
| Consumer Privacy and Data Protection: Regulatory Approaches (6896) | 3 credits | |
| Internet Law (6493) | 2 or 3 credits | |
| Cybersecurity Law and Technology (6890) | 2 or 3 credits | |
| Employment Law (6268) | 2 or 3 credits | |
| Labor Law (6266) | 2 or 3 credits | |
| Federal Income Taxation (6300) | 3 or 4 credits | |
| Corporate Finance (6254) | 2 or 3 credits | |
| Law and Accounting (6602) | 3 credits | |
| Consumer Protection Law (6286) | 3 credits | |
| White Collar Crime (6364) | 2 or 3 credits | |
- BFL-Designated Courses
Corporations (6250) Federal Income Taxation (6300) International Business Transactions (6522) Securities Regulation (6252) Corporate Taxation (6302) The International Competition Law Regime (6523) Corporate Finance (6254) Partnership and LLC Taxation (6304) International Commercial Law (6524) Mergers and Acquisitions (6256) International Taxation (6312) International Trade Law (6526) Regulation of Investment Advisers and Investment Funds (6260) Nonprofit Organizations: Law and Taxation (6314) Advanced International Trade Law (6527) Regulation of Derivatives (6261) State and Local Taxation (6316) Law of the European Union (6534) Corporation Law Seminar (6262) Selected Topics in Tax Policy Law (6317) International Finance (6541) Selected Topics in Corporate Law (6263) Tax Policy Seminar (6318) International Banking and Investment Law (6542) Securities Law Seminar (6264) Law of Real Estate Transactions (6330) International Investment Law and Arbitration (6544) Selected Topics in Securities Law (6267) Land Use Law (6332) International Project Finance (6545) Employment Law (6268) Law of Real Estate Financing (6334) Chinese Business Law (6549) Employee Benefit Plans (6272) Reading Group (6351)‡ U.S. Export Control Law and Regulation (6553) Labor Law (6266) White Collar Crime (6364) International Arbitration (6556)* Secured Transactions (6280) Antitrust Law (6402) Introduction to Transactional Islamic Law (6557) UCC Sale of Goods (6255) Advanced Antitrust Law Seminar (6403) International Negotiations (6558)* Commercial Paper - Payment Systems (6282) Selected Topics in Advanced Antitrust Law (6405) International Business Transaction Seminar (6564) Creditors’ Rights and Debtors’ Protection (6284) Regulated Industries (6406) Law and Economics (6598) Business Bankruptcy and Reorganization (6285) Public Law Seminar (6426)‡ Law and Accounting (6602)* Consumer Protection Law (6286) Selected Topics in Public Law (6427)‡ Small Business and Community Economic Development Clinic (6621)* Selected Topics in Banking Law (6289) Lessons in Leadership (6611) ‡ Negotiations (6648)* Banking Law (6290) Trade and Sustainable Development (6435) Legal Drafting (Transactional) (6652)* Banking Law Seminar (6292) Energy Law Seminar (6441)‡ Legal Drafting (Mergers and Acquisitions) (6652)* Unincorporated Business Organizations and Agency Law (6294) Environmental Issues in Business Transactions (6452) Field Placement (6668)*‡ Sports and the Law (6295) Entertainment Law (6475) Business Lawyering (6810)* Business Planning (6296)* Anti-Corruption and Compliance (6511) Insurance (6298) International Money Laundering, Corruption, and Terrorism (6521)
1. For a complete description of the program requirements, please see the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) at GW.
2. Courses noted with a double-cross (‡) require advance approval of the BFL Program Director to count toward the curriculum requirement. Note that not all courses are offered in the form of an online modality, nor every semester.
3. Experiential learning courses are noted with an asterisk (*). Note that not all courses are offered in the form of an online modality, nor every semester.
How Long Does the Program Take and How Is It Delivered?
The MSL in Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law requires 24 credits and can typically be completed in 1–2 years, depending on whether students enroll full-time or part-time. The program is offered in flexible formats, including fully online, on-campus, and hybrid options, allowing working professionals to balance graduate study with career commitments.
How Much Does This Degree Cost?
Tuition for the MSL in Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law is approximately $63,600, plus applicable fees. Students complete 24 credits, and tuition is billed per semester based on course enrollment. Additional costs may include university fees and materials. Prospective students are encouraged to review the most current tuition information and financial aid options through the law school.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law?
As financial regulations evolve and corporate oversight intensifies, organizations increasingly seek professionals who can bridge corporate governance, financial regulation, and compliance strategy. Graduates of the business, finance, and corporate compliance law master’s program are prepared for roles that support regulatory compliance, corporate risk management, and governance oversight within both public- and private-sector organizations. In-demand roles include:
Compliance Officer
Risk Management Lead
Corporate Governance Specialist
Financial Regulation Analyst
Ready to Advance Your Career in Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law?
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a JD required for this program?
No. A JD is not required. The MSL in Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law is designed for experienced professionals with 3+ years of relevant experience who want legal knowledge without becoming attorneys.
- Can I complete this program online?
Yes. The program is available fully online, on-campus, or in a hybrid format. Students may enroll full-time or part-time to accommodate professional responsibilities.
- How long does it take to complete the degree?
The program requires 24 credits and can typically be completed in 1–2 years depending on enrollment status.
- Why study business, finance, and corporate compliance law in Washington, DC?
Located in Washington, DC, and easily accessible to professionals across Maryland and Northern Virginia, the program benefits from proximity to federal agencies, courts, and policy institutions shaping financial regulation, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. Students gain access to faculty and professional networks with deep experience across government, financial institutions, and the private sector, providing valuable insight into how law and business intersect in today’s regulatory environment.
Every year, I have become more proud of the program. We have attained a depth and breadth that have positioned us in the top tier of business and finance programs across the country. Our new corporate compliance curriculum is an exciting area of growth.
Professor Theresa Gabaldon
Lyle T. Alverson Professor of Law
This program is built for you if you work in business, government, or tech and deal with contracts, regulations, or compliance. At GW Law, we empower professionals to acquire specialized legal knowledge in business, finance, and corporate compliance law without a JD, so you can learn to think like a lawyer and strategize like a leader.
Dr. Michael Rand
Assistant Dean for Business and Finance Law
Contact MSL Admissions: msladmissions
law [dot] gwu [dot] edu (msladmissions[at]law[dot]gwu[dot]edu) | 202.994.7242