Online Master of Policy & Law

What Is a Master of Policy and Law Degree?

Students pursuing a master of law degree online through Drexel University’s Master of Policy and Law program develop the essential skills to lead where legal insight and public policy intersect. The curriculum trains them to critically assess legal and policy frameworks, pinpoint areas for reform, and offer data-driven solutions. With a strong focus on regulatory analysis, students learn to craft strategies that align organizational goals with legal obligations. Interdisciplinary coursework spanning law, political science, and economics allows graduates to understand the real-world impact of policy decisions. By honing leadership and communication skills, they’re empowered to advocate for change across various audiences and professional settings.

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What Can You Do with a Master of Policy & Law?

Graduates of the MS in Policy and Law program are prepared for leadership roles in government, public administration, legal and regulatory compliance, and public affairs. They can pursue careers in nonprofits, healthcare policy, education policy, ESG strategy, and community development, where they advocate for reform, shape policy decisions, and lead interdisciplinary initiatives. The Policy and Law program prepares you for a variety of career pathways, including criminal justice and law enforcement, technology integration and data governance, and corporate citizenship. A master of Policy and Law allows graduates to step into impact-driven roles across multiple fields such as:

• Campaign Manager
• City Manager
• Compliance Manager
• ESG Manager
• Lobbyist
• Policy Analyst
• Program Director
• Public Relations Specialist
• Regulatory/Government Affairs Manager

Why Pursue a Master of Policy & Law Online with Drexel?

Drexel University's Master of Policy and Law offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that bridges the gap between legal theory and public policy analysis. By combining coursework in law, economics, and the social sciences, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the systems that shape policy and governance. This approach fosters critical thinking and equips graduates with the tools to address complex societal challenges. Students benefit from access to expert faculty from both the Thomas R. Kline School of Law and the College of Arts and Sciences, enriching their education through alternate perspectives and academic mentorship.

Designed with flexibility in mind, the program's online format accommodates working professionals balancing career responsibilities and personal commitments. Learners can participate from anywhere in the country, making it ideal for those seeking to advance their education without relocating or pausing their careers. This structure allows students to immediately apply their learning within their current professional roles, enhancing workplace impact and reinforcing long-term career growth. The asynchronous course delivery supports autonomy in pacing, contributing to a truly accessible graduate experience.

What sets Drexel’s program apart is its emphasis on bridging disciplines through action-oriented research. Unlike traditional policy or legal degrees, students explore socially grounded issues and present practice-based reforms tailored to real-world institutions and issues. The program avoids the financial and credential barriers of JD/MPP or LL.M. tracks, opening doors for a wide range of learners while preserving academic rigor. Graduates emerge with a tangible, competitive advantage in the job market, and the foundation to lead with purpose.

• Interdisciplinary
  The curriculum combines core legal education with robust coursework in public policy, economics, and social sciences, empowering students to understand how law and social policy shape our world. Students will benefit from learning from both the Kline Law faculty and the College of Arts of Sciences Center for Public Policy faculty.
• Flexible
  Part-time online modality provides flexibility for working professionals with diverse career paths and familial and community obligations.
• Student-Centered
  Each student will complete a capstone case study, allowing them to build a portfolio of applied research in a field they are passionate about.

While many graduate programs offer coursework in public policy or legal studies, our students will have the unique opportunity to develop and defend original, socially grounded, and practice-oriented research that bridges both disciplines. Our program gives students the freedom to choose a policy area that matters to them, conduct in-depth research using case study methodology, and present their findings before a panel of expert faculty. Through this process, our students will graduate with a portfolio-ready piece of work that demonstrates their ability to evaluate institutions, critique legal and policy frameworks, and propose actionable reforms.

Additionally, our program is an accessible alternative to more traditional graduate pathways like the JD/MPP or post-JD LL.M. programs that focus on public policy. Where those programs often require significant time, financial investment, or a prior professional degree, our program is designed to democratize access to advanced education in the law and policy, inviting participation from a broader and more diverse community of students.

Is a Master of Policy & Law Right for You?

Any student who is seeking to make an impactful change at the intersection of law and policy without having to complete a JD program. Largely, this will include people who are working in or seeking positions in government, nonprofits, quasi-governmental organizations, or the change-oriented private sector.

Master of Policy & Law Courses and Curriculum

An MS in Policy and Law program at Drexel requires the completion of 45 graduate-level credits, encompassing foundational courses in disciplines such as economics, political science, and sociology. Students engage with coursework that emphasizes applied policy analysis and communication, empowering learners to effectively articulate legal and policy issues to varied audiences. Designed for working professionals, the program is offered in a flexible part-time online format, allowing learners to complete their degree in as little as two years. This structure supports thoughtful academic progression while balancing work, life, and study. Plus, our supportive virtual community and innovative digital tools keep our students connected and empowered every step of the way. With interdisciplinary instruction from both Kline School of Law and the Center for Public Policy at Drexel University, students gain training that prepares them to lead at the intersection of law and policy.

Students in the Master of Policy and Law program will gain the skills and insight needed to lead at the intersection of law, policy, and public service. They’ll learn to:

• Critically evaluate legal and policy frameworks, identifying areas for reform and proposing evidence-based solutions
• Navigate and explain complex regulatory environments and systems to develop policy strategies that align with both legal requirements and organizational goals
• Engage in applied policy analysis through an interdisciplinary lens, drawing on law, social and political science, and economics to understand and appreciate real-world effects.
• Advocate for social change through effective leadership
• Communicate complex legal and policy considerations effectively across diverse audiences and professional contexts

• # of credits required to compete the program: 45 Quarter Credits
• # of transfer credits accepted into the program: 8 Quarter Credits (6 Semester Credits) subject to the criteria detailed in the Kline Online Graduate Programs Student Handbook
  
  

State restrictions may apply to some programs.