In the last decade, the global economy has undergone a fundamental shift. Data is no longer just a byproduct of business; it is often the most valuable asset on the balance sheet. However, with great value comes immense risk. As artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and big data redefine how we work, communicate, and govern, the legal frameworks designed to protect us are struggling to keep pace. For professionals in the technology, healthcare, finance, and defense sectors, the challenge is clear: navigating this landscape requires more than just technical skill—it requires deep legal fluency.
The George Washington University Law School (GW Law) has met this challenge head-on with its Master of Studies in Law (MSL) concentration in Privacy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Technology Law. This program is not for lawyers; it is designed specifically for high-achieving non-lawyer professionals who want to lead at the intersection of law and technological innovation. Located in the heart of Washington, DC, and offered in a flexible online, in-person, or hybrid format, this program represents the gold standard for anyone looking to claim their "law-adjacent advantage" in the DMV region and beyond.
The Power of Location: The DMV Advantage
For those working in privacy and technology, geography is more than a logistical detail—it is a strategic asset. The District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) metro region is the undisputed epicenter of global policy and regulatory oversight. GW Law’s campus in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood is situated just blocks from the institutions that shape the digital world.
Students in the program benefit from proximity to:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The primary enforcer of data privacy and consumer protection in the U.S.
- U.S. Department of State: Which leads international efforts on cross-border data sharing and cyber diplomacy.
- National Security Hubs: Proximity to the Pentagon, DHS, and the NSA provides a direct line to the latest developments in cybersecurity policy.
While the program is available 100% online to those who want it, this "DC DNA" is woven into the curriculum. GW Law draws on the practitioners who are actively drafting the next generation of privacy statutes and AI regulations. Whether you are a coder at a Northern Virginia tech firm looking to transition into a management role, or a compliance professional for a Maryland healthcare provider looking to become chief privacy officer, this program connects you to the heart of the nation’s policy landscape.
Learning from the Architects: World-Class Faculty Expertise
The true hallmark of a GW Law education is the faculty. While many institutions offer theoretical glimpses into technology law, GW Law provides direct access to the practitioners who are shaping it. Only 4% of law schools nationwide offer a single advanced course in privacy or data security law; GW Law offers over a dozen, taught by some of the most influential minds in the field.
Daniel J. Solove: The Visionary of Privacy Law
Professor Daniel J. Solove is widely regarded as one of the world's leading experts in information privacy law. A graduate of Yale Law School and former editor of the Yale Law Journal, Professor Solove has literally written the books that define the field. With over one million followers on LinkedIn and a massive presence in both scholarly and public discourse, his influence is unparalleled.
For MSL students, learning from Professor Solove means gaining the ability to conceptualize privacy not just as a compliance checkbox, but as a dynamic strategic challenge.
Alicia Solow-Niederman: The Emerging Technology Guru
Professor Alicia Solow-Niederman is an award-winning scholar examining how to regulate technologies in a way that reckons with social, economic, and political power. Professor Solow-Niederman wrote AI and Doctrinal Collapse, showing how differences between copyright law and privacy law regimes allow AI companies to “simultaneously argue that data is public enough to scrape—diffusing privacy and copyright controversies—and private enough to keep secret—avoiding disclosure or oversight of its training data.”
MSL students learning from Professor Solow-Niederman gain insight into how differing regulatory approaches to AI and other emerging technologies work and the various interests driving courts and public policymakers in this space.
Kristin Johnson: The Pioneer in FinTech and Blockchain Regulation
Formerly the chair of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (one of the primary regulators of the FinTech industry in the United States), Professor Kristin Johnson is a nationally recognized expert on financial markets risk management law, and policy, with specialization in the regulation of complex financial products including the origination, distribution, and secondary market trading, clearing, and settlement of securities and derivatives. She is an internationally recognized expert on financial markets regulation and corporate governance, compliance, and risk management. Her recent work examines the implications of emerging innovative technologies, including distributed digital ledger technologies that enable the creation of digital assets and intermediaries, and artificial intelligence technologies that target commercial and consumer financial transactions, transfers, and assessments.
MSL students learning from Professor Johnson benefit from her vast knowledge of fintech regulation and how regulators make decisions about emerging technologies.
Jonathan G. Cedarbaum: The Executive Perspective
Professor Jonathan G. Cedarbaum brings a level of executive branch experience that is rare even in Washington, DC. Before joining the GW Law faculty as a Professor of Practice, he served as Deputy Counsel to the President and National Security Council Legal Advisor. He also served as the Acting Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC)—the office that provides authoritative legal advice to the President and all Executive Branch Departments.
Professor Cedarbaum’s role as one of the first statutorily designated amici for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) gives him unique insights into the legalities of surveillance and cybersecurity. His expertise allows MSL students to understand how laws are drafted and interpreted at the highest levels of government, providing a perspective that is essential for those working in national security or highly regulated tech sectors.
Christopher Savage: The Regulatory Pro
Professor Christopher Savage is a distinguished practitioner with a focus on assisting companies in communications- and data-centric industries. A Harvard Law graduate and an expert with CIPP/US and CIPT certifications, he has spent his career helping companies navigate federal court litigation and administrative agency proceedings.
His scholarly work, such as "Managing the Ambient Trust Commons: The Economics of Online Consumer Privacy," explores the fundamental economic drivers behind privacy policy. For a non-lawyer, Professor Savage’s expertise in Internet Law and data breach response provides a roadmap for protecting a corporation's bottom line while ensuring regulatory compliance.
A Curriculum Built for Action
The MSL program requires 24 credits of coursework, designed to be completed in one to two years. Unlike a JD, which requires three years of study and preparation for the bar exam, the MSL is a more tailored degree. It gives you the ability to think like a lawyer as you work in non-legal roles.
Key courses include:
- Information Privacy Law: Understanding the foundations of data protection.
- Cybersecurity Law and Policy: Navigating the legal requirements for securing digital infrastructure.
- AI Law and Policy: Exploring the emerging ethics and statutes governing artificial intelligence.
- Blockchain Law and Policy: A deep dive into the legalities of decentralized tech.
As alumnus Roberto Macoto, MSL '21, noted, an MSL degree from GW Law cements the ability to work through a decision-making process that is "fact-based and logical... meeting the spirit of the law."
Career Outcomes and ROI: The Professional Lift
Getting an MSL with a concentration in Privacy, AI, and Technology is a smart investment. The demand for non-lawyers who can bridge the gap between legal counsel and operational teams is skyrocketing. Roles in law-adjacent sectors are projected to grow by 20.8% through 2032.
The concentration is geared toward preparing graduates for high-impact, high-earning roles, including:
- Chief Privacy Officer: Overseeing an organization's collection, use, disclosure, and retention of personal information (2026 average base salary of: $166,653).
- Technology Development Manager in heavily regulated fields, such as health and financial sectors: Leading the development of technological products with an eye toward both regulatory compliance and product performance (median total compensation: $224,000).
- Cybersecurity Policy Advisor: Leading national security and risk management efforts.
By gaining legal fluency, you make yourself indispensable. You become the person who can anticipate a legal hurdle before it becomes an expensive lawsuit, providing an ROI that far exceeds the cost of tuition.
Affordability, Flexibility, and Aid
GW Law is committed to making this program accessible to established professionals.
- No Standardized Tests: The LSAT and GRE are not required for MSL admission, recognizing that your professional experience (typically 3+ years) is the best indicator of your potential.
- Tuition: For the 2025-2026 academic year, the tuition rate is $2,650 per credit.
- Flexibility: With 100% online options and the ability to maintain half-time status with only 5–8 credits per semester, you can earn your degree without stepping away from your career.
Conclusion: Lead the Conversation
The digital world is governed by a complex and ever-changing set of rules. You can either wait for input from an expert to weigh in, or you can become the expert. With an MSL from GW Law, you gain more than just a credential; you gain the access, expertise, and authority of the world’s leading legal minds.
Join a network of "first-hand knowledge professionals" and claim your law-adjacent advantage. The transition from being a professional who uses technology to a leader who governs it begins here.
Ready to Claim Your Advantage?
The application process is streamlined for professionals. Apply to the MSL program today!
For more information on the Privacy, AI, and Technology Law specialization, contact MSL Admissions at msladmissions
law [dot] gwu [dot] edu or call 202.994.7242. Visit us online or at our campus in the heart of Washington, DC.