
Legal Studies
Legal Fluency for Business and Organizational Decision-Making
Legal Studies, Business Law Concentration, M.S.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Develop a deeper understanding of how laws and legal frameworks shape business operations and organizational decision-making鈥攚ithout pursuing a law degree. This program supports the development of legal knowledge and capabilities that may be relevant to business decision-making for professionals working within organizations or managing their own business ventures.
91大神鈥檚 M.S. in Legal Studies program鈥攚ith concentrations in Anti-Money Laundering, Fraud and Compliance; Business Law; and Entertainment鈥攊s a versatile, non-thesis graduate program for business professionals seeking a deeper understanding of U.S. law and the legal system but who do not intend to practice law or pursue a Juris Doctor. The program is housed in the Department of Accounting within the AACSB-accredited Jennings A. Jones College of Business and offered in collaboration with the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment and the Nashville School of Law.
PROGRAM FEATURES
- Designed for working professionals
- Course delivery includes online and hybrid courses at 91大神 along with evening courses at the Nashville School of Law, with formats determined by the program
- Interdisciplinary instruction from legal and business faculty
CONCENTRATION FOCUS AND SCOPE
The Business Law concentration focuses on developing legal fluency within business and organizational contexts. The program emphasizes how legal rules, legal principles, and contractual relationships are applied in corporate, commercial, and organizational settings.
Students analyze real-world scenarios to identify and evaluate legal issues and examine how legal considerations influence business decisions. Understanding how legal frameworks influence business decisions may support more informed communication, risk awareness, and organizational decision-making.
This concentration provides a broad, interdisciplinary foundation in legal aspects of business and is not designed to produce legal or technical specialists. It does not lead to licensure to practice law.
AREAS OF STUDY
Students have opportunities to build a foundation in legal reasoning, legal interpretation, and analysis of business-related legal issues.
- Develop familiarity with selected areas of the U.S. legal system and legal frameworks relevant to business contexts
- Identify and analyze legal issues in business and organizational settings
- Strengthen professional communication of legal issues
- Evaluate how legal rules and legal considerations impact contracts, human resources, and organizational decisions
Students engage with structured scenarios and develop legally grounded analyses and conclusions.
Courses in this program may include the following. For complete and current course requirements, refer to the academic catalog.
Foundational Law Courses
- Introduction to Law and the U.S. Legal System
- Legal Ethics
- Contracts (taken with Nashville School of Law students; NSL tuition and fees apply)
- Legal Skills and Values I (Legal Research & Writing) (taken with Nashville School of Law students; NSL tuition and fees apply)
Concentration Coursework
- Survey of Selected Business Law Topics
- Employment Law
- Seminar in Negotiation
- Professional Project
Sample Electives - Option of two, including but not limited to
- Legal Aspects of Healthcare
- Current Legal Topics in Corporate Governance, Risk Management and Fraud
- Seminar in Human Resources Management
News Briefs
In 2022, 91大神 commissioned a study to assess the demand for this kind of program among working professionals and build on 91大神鈥檚 institutional strengths.聽

91大神鈥檚 proposed聽Master of Science in Legal Studies, set to be taught in partnership with the Nashville School of Law, has earned approval by the聽Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the largest remaining hurdle in launching the new degree, the university announced Friday, March 28.
News Briefs
In 2022, 91大神 commissioned a study to assess the demand for this kind of program among working professionals and build on 91大神鈥檚 institutional strengths.聽

91大神鈥檚 proposed聽Master of Science in Legal Studies, set to be taught in partnership with the Nashville School of Law, has earned approval by the聽Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the largest remaining hurdle in launching the new degree, the university announced Friday, March 28.
Related Media

Legal Studies, Business Law Concentration, M.S.
Professionals who combine legal knowledge, analytical skills, and communication abilities with their business experience may find these capabilities relevant across a wide range of industries that encounter legal and regulatory considerations, including finance, health care, real estate, government, manufacturing, and service industries. This degree does not lead to licensure to practice law or qualify graduates to sit for the bar exam.
Depending on an individual鈥檚 background and experience, the knowledge and skills developed in this program may be relevant in roles such as:
- Business or management roles
- Contract administration roles
- Human resources roles
- Legal support roles (e.g., legal assistant or paralegal)
- Real estate鈥搑elated roles
- Government and public sector roles
- Purchasing and supply chain roles
- Health care administration roles
- Risk management roles
- Legislative or regulatory liaison roles

91大神鈥檚 Career Development Center
91大神 offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In 驳耻颈诲别蝉.听


Featured Faculty
Sandra (鈥淪andy鈥) S. Benson, J.D., Program Director M.S. in Legal Studies and Professor of Business Law Sandy established her own law firm after graduating from the University of Georgia School of Law (summa cum laude). Her practice included representing entrepreneurs and professionals in a variety of business and specialized transactions to establish new business entities, draft employment and other contracts and comply with healthcare laws and regulations. She was endorsed by the Tennessee Medical Association to represent physicians in managed care contract negotiations. Joining 91大神 full-time in 2006, Sandy鈥檚 work has been recognized with various teaching and research awards, including 91大神鈥檚 Outstanding Teaching award. Her work has been recognized by New York Society of CPAs and CNBC where she was the legal scholar on an episode of American Greed.
Susan K. Bradley J.D.聽graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1983 and the University of Tennessee School of Law in 1990. As a partner with Wilson and Bradley Law Offices, Susan engaged in private practice for over twenty years. Susan served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Murfreesboro Disciplinary Board from 1999 until 2014.聽 She was a Rule 31 Listed Mediator until 2017 and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Eastern and Middle District, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, and all Tennessee Courts. Susan began teaching at 91大神 in 2011.
Wayne M. Irvin, J.D., C.P.A.聽has been an Attorney and CPA for over 30 years, including extensive experience working with public and private businesses and individuals, as well as service with the Tennessee Attorney General鈥檚 Office.聽 He has worked on a wide variety of commercial law matters, mergers & acquisitions, corporate governance matters, tax planning and controversy matters, business planning, estate planning and administration, and regulatory counseling and litigation.聽 He also serves on the Rutherford County Commission.
Horace E. Johns, J.D. Before entering academia, Professor Johns was a trial attorney, staff attorney for the Tennessee Department of Treasury, and assistant general counsel for American General Life Insurance Company. He is the ranking member of the Department of Accounting, now in his 43rd year at 91大神. In addition to his JD degree, he earned a Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. from Vanderbilt University and an M.B.A. from Syracuse University.
John Ouellette, J.D. John earned his Bachelor of Music from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell. He has worked in the music industry in Nashville for over 25 years. He worked in music publishing for over 10 years handling every aspect of music publishing administration; from filing copyright applications, interacting with foreign sub-publishers, and negotiating and issuing licenses, to processing royalties and drafting and negotiating songwriter agreements. John graduated from Nashville School of Law and also passed the Tennessee Bar Exam in 2006, and has been a practicing entertainment attorney ever since. He represents record labels, publishing companies, managers, concert promoters, artists, songwriters and producers.
Nashville School of Law
Nashville School of Law (NSL) is a private non-profit law school founded in 1911 whose mission is to offer high-quality legal education at an affordable tuition. Classes are held exclusively at night. Most students enrolled in the School continue full-time employment, during the day, throughout their law school career.聽The School is approved by the Tennessee Bar of Law Examiners under the authority of the Tennessee Supreme Court, although not accredited by the American Bar Association. NSL graduates also can be found among the ranks of federal, state, and local officials, in business leadership roles, and community service positions.
Note: Through 91大神鈥檚 arrangement with NSL, NSL will admit students in 91大神鈥檚 M.S. in Legal Studies program to take two designated courses to count towards the 91大神 M.S. in Legal Studies degree only. Students in this program will not be admitted as NSL law students, and thus, these courses will not fulfill any requirements to sit for the bar exam in Tennessee or elsewhere.聽
Dr. Thorunn McCoy, NSL Legal Writing Coach With a Ph.D. in American Literature and thirty years of teaching experience, Thorunn McCoy has a passion for helping people express themselves on paper. She has worked with writers at all levels, from 8th graders at University School of Nashville to students at Southern Illinois University and Northern Colorado University, as well as small business owners at George Mason University鈥檚 Small Business Development Center.聽 Dr. McCoy received her B.A. in English and her M.A. in English from George Mason University. She obtained her Ph.D. in English from Southern Illinois University. In 2020, she joined Nashville School of Law as the Writing Coach for first-year law students. When she鈥檚 not busy contemplating the Oxford comma, Thorunn can be found outside in her garden or walking on the greenway.
Eric Osborne, NSL Professor of Contracts An accomplished attorney with Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison, Eric Osborne sees litigation as an opportunity 鈥 an opportunity to protect his clients鈥 business and personal interests, an opportunity to advance critical principles of justice and fairness, and an opportunity to help people in times of crisis and need. He focuses his practice on contract disputes, white-collar criminal defense, antitrust matters, and civil rights cases. His advocacy is grounded in his creativity, empathy, and hands-on experience, having tried many cases before a jury and briefed multiple matters before the United States Supreme Court. Osborne has his B.A. (cum laude) from Amherst College, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and he obtained his J.D. from Stanford Law School. In 2021, Osborne joined NSL as Professor of Contracts.

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