Wake Forest Law’s online law certificate programs give you graduate-level credit you can put to work right away. Finish your certificate in under a year on its own, or apply the credits toward the full online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) to further enhance your legal expertise.
Certificate Structure
- Total credits: 12 credits per certificate
- Length: Finish in as few as two semesters
- Course load: Up to 6 credit hours per term (subject to academic standing)
- Coursework: Assignments, projects, and interactive exercises
All certificate courses earn graduate credit and can be applied toward the MLS degree. With director approval, you may substitute select courses to align your certificate with your career goals.
We do a lot to build a strong community among our students. Even though they are online, it’s important to us that they feel like they are part of the Wake Forest University School of Law.
– Christi Hardwick
Program Manager for Academic Affairs at Wake Forest University School of Law
Online Law Certificate Options (12 credits each)
- Business Law & Compliance
Gain the legal insight to navigate administrative decisions and reduce organizational risk. - Financial Services
Apply legal knowledge in the highly regulated banking, securities, and fintech sectors. - Health Law & Policy
Navigate the laws and policies shaping healthcare delivery, compliance, and patient privacy. - Human Resources
Make informed decisions with a working knowledge of labor and employment law. - Workplace Legal Fundamentals
Build a broad legal foundation to support organizations that provide goods and services.
Who Is an Online Graduate Law Certificate For?
Our legal certificates are for professionals who want legal insight without committing to a full master’s degree or J.D. They add credibility, sharpen decision-making skills, and strengthen your understanding of the laws and systems that shape your work.
Typical students include:
- Compliance officers
- Risk managers
- HR professionals
- Healthcare administrators
- Financial services professionals
- Business owners and executives
- Nonprofit leaders
- Professionals pivoting toward regulatory or policy roles
Request Information
To download a program brochure and learn more about the online Master of Legal Studies at the Wake Forest University School of Law, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 336.863.8438.
Our Certificates
Business Law & Compliance (12 credits)
Navigate the complexities of administrative oversight in today’s increasingly regulated business environment.
Required Course:
- Legal Foundations
Certificate and Elective Courses:
Choose 9 additional credits from the courses below:
- Advanced Contracts
- Compensation and Benefits
- Cybersecurity and Privacy
- Detecting Wrongdoing with Investigations, Monitoring, and Audits
- Employment Law for Managers
- Financial Services Structure and Regulation
- Healthcare Compliance
- International Compliance
- Labor Law
- Law and Public Policy
- Legal Research
- Paying for Healthcare
- The Business of Health Policy: Politics and Theory
- Wage and Hour Law
- Women, Law, Leadership, and Character
- Business Law and Literacy
- Private Law
- Public Law
- The Unauthorized Practice of Law
Financial Services (12 credits)
Apply legal knowledge to your work in financial services—one of the most critical and heavily regulated industries in the global economy.
Required Course:
- Legal Foundations
Certificate and Elective Courses:
Choose 9 additional credits from the courses below:
- Advanced Contracts
- Banking Law and Regulation
- Securities Regulation
- International Compliance
Health Law & Policy (12 credits)
Explore the policies guiding health services delivery and navigate the legal framework of this rapidly evolving industry.
Required Course:
- Legal Foundations
Certificate and Elective Courses:
Choose 9 additional credits from the courses below:
- Advanced Contracts
- Bioethics and the Law
- Cybersecurity and Privacy
- Detecting Wrongdoing with Investigations, Monitoring, and Audits
- Healthcare Compliance
- Law and Public Policy
- Legal Research
- Paying for Healthcare
- Telemedicine
- The Business of Health Policy: Politics and Theory
- Women, Law, Leadership, and Character
- Business Law and Literacy
- Financial Services Structure and Regulation
- Private Law
- Public Law
- The Unauthorized Practice of Law
Human Resources (12 credits)
Ask the right questions and make informed business decisions with an in-depth understanding of labor and employment law.
Required Course:
- Legal Foundations
Certificate and Elective Courses:
Choose 9 additional credits from the courses below:
- Advanced Contracts
- Compensation and Benefits
- Cybersecurity and Privacy
- Detecting Wrongdoing with Investigations, Monitoring, and Audits
- Employment Law for Managers
- Labor Law
- Law and Public Policy
- Legal Research
- Paying for Healthcare
- Telemedicine
- Wage and Hour Law
- Women, Law, Leadership, and Character
- Business Law and Literacy
- Financial Services Structure and Regulation
- Private Law
- Public Law
- The Unauthorized Practice of Law
Workplace Legal Fundamentals (12 credits)
Develop a practical foundation in workplace law, with a focus on regulations governing businesses that provide goods and services.
Required Courses:
- Business Law and Literacy
- Legal Foundations
- Private Law
- Public Law
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a graduate certificate and a master’s degree?
A graduate certificate is a shorter program, usually completed in under a year, that builds targeted expertise. A master’s degree provides broader, comprehensive knowledge.
Our legal graduate certificates (12 credits each) give you focused, transferable credit you can earn quickly.
Our Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is a full 30-credit degree with advanced topic coverage. The MLS allows you to specialize your learning with multiple track options while building a strong foundation in legal principles and their applications to real-world contexts.
How do I know which certificate is right for me?
The best fit will depend on your career goals and the kind of legal knowledge you need. An enrollment specialist can walk you through the options and help you align your choice with your professional path.
Request more information to connect with your personal expert.
Can I take more than one certificate?
Yes. If earning multiple certificates is right for your needs, you can work with an academic advisor to plan your course sequence.
Ready to learn more?
Download our program brochure, and explore our MLS curriculum, admissions, and FAQ pages.