Jurisprudence is the legal interaction of the law within a variety of settings and specialties. The Masters in Jurisprudence online program is designed for students to gain legal analytical, communication, and critical thinking abilities, along with a deep understanding of legal practices, laws, interpretations, and applications of law, legal analysis, and understanding of the American legal system.

Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) degrees are intended for non-lawyer professionals who want to learn about the law. These degrees emphasize practical skills training in a range of legal-related sectors for students looking to further their careers or simply keep up with evolving regulatory needs. Typically, practicing lawyers and skilled professionals teach the courses.

Usually, the Master of Jurisprudence degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework. Specialized concentrations are available for more targeted studies, catering to a wide range of interests and work settings.

Master of Jurisprudence Degree Types

The MJur degree is muddled in overlapping degree types. Specializations play a considerable role in determining which degree type is best suited for a particular career path. For example, students with an MJ in health law online have a competitive advantage over their peers in the healthcare industry. Students who complete this program gain a unique perspective on healthcare law, regulations, and policies, as well as the ability to find work in the healthcare industry. However, there are predominantly two degree types common to Jurisprudence studies – the MS in Jurisprudence and the MPA Jurisprudence.

Students must note that the Master of Jurisprudence is sometimes used as an alternative name for both Master of Laws and Master of Juridical Science. In conclusion, the M.Jur. is a broad degree, and it is therefore vital for prospective students to research which college offers the right course for their choice of career.

Specializations in Master of Jurisprudence Programs

Specializations always lead to niche career paths and are excellent for those who want to narrow their study to specific areas within jurisprudence. Several colleges offer specializations and concentrations that allow for a tailor-made, flexible program. Students can either choose to remain focused on general legal studies or choose from a variety of specialization options such as:

• Master of Jurisprudence in Health Law Online
• Master of Jurisprudence in Corporate and Business Law
• Master of Jurisprudence in Compliance and Risk Management

Other specializations/concentrations include:

• Health & Hospital Law
• Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Law & Compliance
• Law and the Creative Industries
• Privacy Law & Cyber Security
• Financial Services Compliance
• General Law/Legal Studies
• Logistics & Transportation
• International Legal Studies
• Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law
• Security and Data Privacy
• Education Law
• Human Rights
• Energy, Oil & Gas Law
• American Legal Studies
• Real Property Development
• Advocacy
• Elder Law
• Risk Management
• Wealth Management
• Taxation
• International Taxation
• Environmental Law and Policy
• Energy Regulation and Law
• Indigenous Peoples Law
• Cybersecurity Law & Management
• Energy and Natural Resources
• Intellectual Property, Technology, and Innovation
• Business Law & Compliance

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Master of Jurisprudence Programs

The Masters of Jurisprudence allows students to tailor their learning experience to their professional objectives and personal interests. Contracts, legal procedure, workplace law, legal writing, negligence, liability, and business law principles are all covered in the curriculum. Depending on the degree program and chosen specialization, the following courses could be available to students enrolled in an MJur program:

• Drafting Business Documents
• Law and Entrepreneurship
• Business and Human Rights
• International Trade Law
• Intellectual Property Survey
• Advising Privately Owned Businesses
• Basic Income Tax
• Managing People in Public and Nonprofit Agencies
• Property Dispositions and Transactions
• International Finance Law
• Taxation of Partners and Partnerships
• Business and Financial Literacy
• International Business Transactions
• Chinese Law
• Comparative Corporate Governance
• Employment Law
• Secured Transactions
• Business Organizations
• Estate Planning
• Law of Nonprofit Organizations
• Japanese Law

At the end of a Master in Jurisprudence online degree, graduates would have developed skills and abilities, some of which are but not limited to:

• undertake legal research, analysis, and communication essential to understanding and applying the law in various settings;
• interpret and apply laws regulating business, the environment, international trade, or other specialized sectors;
• demonstrate conflict resolution skills, critical-thinking abilities, and a thirst for justice;
• better understand how the law can affect businesses, employees, and markets;
• draft legal documents to present in court or legal agreements between persons and entities; and
• assist practicing lawyers and advocates through research, interpretation, and application of the correct law.

Accreditation for Master of Jurisprudence Programs

An online Master’s in Jurisprudence, like all master’s degrees, must be accredited for the degree to be valuable and considered by the job market. Accreditation agencies establish standards for schools to adhere to and ensure that they are met and maintained throughout the accreditation process. While some colleges have fully accredited programs (programmatic accreditation), most are regionally accredited, which is an equally valid option. In the United States, regional accreditation agencies include:

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

The American Bar Association (ABA) is usually the accrediting authority for law-related programs and law schools.

When applying for an online Master’s in Jurisprudence, students should always look for accredited universities or programs. Our Accreditation Guide contains more information on accreditation.

Timeline For Graduating From Master of Jurisprudence Online Programs

Online Master of Jurisprudence programs can take anywhere from one to up to three years to complete. Most online programs support working professionals, allowing students to learn on their own time. Part-time completion of the program is generally possible in two years. Students can work at their own speed and finish the degree in as much as five years.

Admission Requirements for Online Master of Jurisprudence Programs

The process of applying to a Master’s in Jurisprudence is relatively straightforward. As with most other graduate-level programs, universities typically tend to have the following admission requirements:

• Completed Application Form with Application Fee
• A Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 and above
• Official Academic Transcripts
• A Professional Resume
• A Statement of Purpose
• Two References/Recommendations
• Proof of English Language Proficiency (if English was not the primary language in prior studies; especially for international students)

In most cases, applicants to a Master’s in Jurisprudence do not have to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Law School Admission Test (LSAT). However, it is not uncommon for schools to ask for a GRE score, should the Grade Point Average (GPA) be lower than required.

While it is best to earn a master’s degree in Jurisprudence from a university that is accredited and of some repute, students who are pressed for time, or who want to learn the subject out of interest or wish to supplement their master’s degree with additional courses (to gain further knowledge), could look for free content and courses that are available online. However, one must remember that these courses do not culminate in a master’s degree, although some offer certificate courses that may be of value in the job market. Here are a few resources for free online courses in Jurisprudence:

1. Coursera
   Coursera’s law courses explore the history and interpretation of legal systems and codes, including criminal and civil law, environmental law, international law, constitutional law, and more.
2. FutureLearn
   At the time of writing, FutureLearn showcased a total of 31 courses on a variety of topics under Law, such as Fraud Investigation, Drafting & Negotiating Commercial Contracts, Protecting Health Data, etc. 
3. edX
   edX offers International Law, Human Rights, Property Rights, Criminal Law, and Contract Law through online seminars and courses in law. Students can learn about the legal implications of surveillance and privacy as they pertain to national security concerns.
4. Udemy
   Boasting over 196K learners, Udemy offers a host of law courses, ranging from Cyber Security Law to Introduction to Child Rights, to Health Law and Interpretation of Statutes.

Note: Some of the courses mentioned on these sites may be free, while others may demand a small fee. As policies and offers keep changing periodically, students are advised to check for the latest ones that suit their needs.