New organization launches with focus on increasing awareness of legal master's programs
A new organization focused on increasing awareness of legal master’s degrees will conduct surveys, interviews and focus groups, as well as examine program designs, graduate outcomes and employer engagement related to these programs to help law schools, students and employers who rely on them.
The National Legal Masters Association launched Tuesday and aims to increase awareness of post-bachelor’s programs that prepare graduates to work in law-adjacent fields, such as compliance, finance, technology, government and health care. These degrees do not meet eligibility requirements to join the bar.
“Legal master’s degrees occupy a distinct and evolving place within legal education and the workforce,” said Tom Williams, a senior assistant dean of administration and graduate programs, the chief operating officer at the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and a member of the National Legal Masters Association’s founding leadership, in a March 3 press release. “Our early focus is on listening and building a clearer evidence base to support informed discussion.”
The group aims to support law schools, employers and graduates related to these programs. Findings from its research will be publicly available and will guide the organization’s future priorities, according to the press release.
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