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MSL: Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law
Program Overview
The Business and Finance Law Program is ranked in the top 20 programs across the nation by Above the Law for JDs, and in the Top 10 Banking, Finance, and Securities Law programs by the LLM Guide for LLMs. The MSL Degree in Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law at GW Law is taught by nationally recognized experts in the field, including financial regulation, corporate law, and many others.
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is a graduate degree for professionals seeking legal knowledge without becoming attorneys. In the Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law concentration, the program offers:
- Tailored Career Advancement: Designed for non‑lawyers in government, corporate, and nonprofit roles seeking to lead compliance efforts, advise leadership, and manage legal and regulatory risk.
- Expert Practitioner Faculty: Learn from nationally recognized leaders—including a former FTC Chair, a former CFTC Commissioner, and faculty with top law‑firm experience.
- Comprehensive Legal Foundation: Build a strong understanding of global commerce through coursework in financial regulation, corporate governance, anti‑corruption, and transactional law.
- High Demand & Flexible Formats: Enter a fast‑growing field with roles projected to grow 25% above the national average and many salaries exceeding $100k. Study online, on campus, or in a hybrid format built for working professionals.
Located in the heart of Washington, DC, GW Law offers unparalleled access to the federal agencies, courts, and policy organizations that influence the nation’s financial, corporate, and compliance landscape. Students benefit from proximity to government institutions, industry leaders, and professional networks that bring classroom learning to life and open doors to career opportunities in corporate law, compliance, and financial regulation.
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?
This practice area explores the legal infrastructure of modern global commerce, not just domestic regulation, as it balances legal analysis with applied business strategy.
The Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law Concentration’s interdisciplinary curriculum offers knowledge relevant to both private sector and public policy professionals who are working in, or looking to transition into, roles that intersect with legal and regulatory oversight.
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
MSL candidates in Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law (BFL-CC) must complete 3 credits of Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Writing for MSL Students (6950) and a minimum of 16 credit hours from among the list of BFL-CC Core Courses and Electives and BFL-designated courses, including four credits of Corporations (6250) and at least eight additional credit hours of Core Courses and Electives.
| 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.
Career Outcomes
The landscape of modern business increasingly demands a firm grasp of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing financial markets, compliance structures, corporate governance, and transactional processes. As corporate systems grow in complexity, the legal risks and opportunities associated with decision-making in business environments require professionals who are well-versed in law, even if they do not practice. Build the necessary skills to meet this demand, whether it be in government, not-for-profit, or for-profit business sectors. With a growth rate for new roles 25% higher than the national average through 2033, and salaries over $100k per year in the DC area, GW Law is the perfect place to start the next chapter of your career. Targeted Careers include:
Compliance Officer
Risk Management Lead
Corporate Governance Specialist
Financial Regulation Analyst
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) | 202.994.2705