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A gavel in a classroom at Regent for the Criminal Law online degree program for M.A. in Law.

M.A. in Law – Criminal Law & the Justice System

Equip Yourself to Fight with a Criminal Law Degree

The Master of Arts in Law – Criminal Law & the Justice System program, offered completely online, can equip you to help individuals and your organization navigate critical legal issues that can have a major life impact. Taught from a Christian worldview, this program can prepare you through coursework in criminal and constitutional law, constitutional criminal procedure, juvenile law, legislation, and human rights.

Online
32
January 13, 2025
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ENHANCE YOUR CREDENTIALS WITHOUT A J.D.

Earn your M.A. in Law degree in just five semesters with this practical alternative to the on-campus 3-year Juris Doctor program. Attend law school online without LSAT requirements.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR COURSEWORK

Complement your Master of Arts in Law with courses in civil liberties, family law, and national security.

EXPAND YOUR EXPERTISE IN CRIMINAL Law & the justice system

Choose coursework from juvenile law and international trafficking to criminal pretrial practice, according to your area of interest.

GAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE

Acquire the knowledge required for professional advancement and improved marketability with this online law degree. Regent Law was ranked among the Top 5 in the Nation for Interesting Professors (Teaching) by The Princeton Review, 2020. Our M.A. in Law program was ranked among the Top 15 Best Online Law Degree Programs by Intelligent, 2023. Gain the Regent Law advantage with a criminal justice program tailored to your schedule and field of interest.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

On completing the online Master of Arts in Law – Criminal Law & the Justice System program, you can:

  • Apply criminal law and demonstrate an understanding of the limitations of law enforcement activities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of immigration law and procedure.
  • Research American law, including cases and statutes.
  • Communicate knowledgeably and effectively with others on legal issues.

Career Opportunities

  • Nonprofit advocacy
  • C-level leadership
  • National security
  • Mediation
$71Thousand
Median annual wage of arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
Featured Courses
MLAW 533Juvenile Law3
Discussion of problems related to minority status, including jurisdiction of the state, detention, responsibility for the crime, rights and responsibilities of the parents, and the constitutional, statutory and case law parameters of the juvenile law system.
MLAW 535International Trafficking in Persons3
Overview of the global problem of trafficking in persons for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. The course examines the issue of trafficking from several perspectives: (i) the various international conventions that prohibit trafficking in persons; (ii) regional examples of trafficking and factors that contribute to it such as civil unrest and governmental corruption; and (iii) the United States legislative and foreign policy response to trafficking in persons. This course will focus on trafficking in persons as a human rights violation and the treatment of trafficked persons as a victim of a crime.
MLAW 583Immigration Law & Procedure3
Citizenship, acquisition and maintenance of major immigrant and non-immigrant classifications; admission into and exclusion or deportation from the U.S.; and structure and procedures of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Board of Immigration Appeals, Department of State and Department of Labor.
MLAW 634Criminal Law3
Focus on the foundations and common law doctrines of criminal law and modern statutory provisions.
MLAW 635Criminal Procedure3
Focus on the limitations imposed on law enforcement activities by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

2024-25 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 9Monday, August 19
Session BFriday, October 11Monday, October 21
Session CWednesday, January 8Monday, January 13
Session DFriday, March 7Monday, March 17
Session EFriday, May 2Monday, May 12
Session FFriday, June 13Monday, June 23

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.


Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7156$4,290
Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies$1,035 (On-Campus)6$6,210
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights$1,035 (On-Campus)
$725 (Online)
6$6,210
$4,350
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,36011$14,960

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7159$6,435
Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies$1,035 (On-Campus)9$9,315
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights$1,035 (On-Campus)
$725 (Online)
9$9,315
$6,525
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,36015$20,400

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

J.D. Program Fees Per Semester

Student Bar Association$80 (per semester)
Bar Preparation Program Fee$430 (per semester)**
Classroom Response Tech Fee$17 (per semester)

**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2024-25
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)

Tuition$40,800
University Fees$1,700
Program Fees$1,046
Loan Fees$326
Books & Supplies$2,000
Food$5,792
Housing*$13,120
Transportation$4,224
Personal$5,056
Total$74,064

*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Part-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7156$4,290
Master of Laws (LLM)$6906$4,140
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29511$14,245

Full-Time Students

DegreeTuition Cost Per Credit HourAverage Credit Hours Per SemesterAverage Tuition Per Semester
Master of Arts (MA)$7159$6,435
Master of Laws (LLM)$6909$6,210
Juris Doctor (JD)$1,29515$19,425

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

J.D. Program Fees Per Semester

Student Bar Association$80 (per semester)
Bar Preparation Program Fee$430 (per semester)**
Classroom Response Tech Fee$13 (per semester)

**To be fully vested and eligible to receive the bar preparation review course upon graduation for no additional cost other than postage, a $250 refundable materials deposit, and state sales tax. J.D. students must pay the $430 fee for six semesters.

Estimated Total Cost of Attendance 2023-24
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)

Tuition$38,850
University Fees$1,700
Program Fees$1,046
Loan Fees$326
Books & Supplies$2,000
Food$5,792
Housing*$13,120
Transportation$4,224
Personal$5,056
Total$72,114

*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the M.A. in Law program, each student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an appropriate level of legal knowledge within the student’s concentration;
  2. Apply legal knowledge in practical settings;
  3. Write knowledgeably and effectively on legal issues;
  4. Explain the relevance of Christian principles to law.
“I was paired with Mr. Brandon Delfunt, a district attorney near the Atlanta area. He has given me very solid advice, in regard to law school and personally. He told me about how crazy everything can seem in law school with all the assignments and the extra-curricular activities that can pile up. But he also told me that he is glad that he did it. This was very encouraging for me personally because I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed. I know the day will come when I look back and am glad that I did it, as well.”
Carter Budwell, Mentoring Program Mentee
“When I began working for the state of Texas, I immediately began putting the values of servant leadership and ethics I learned at Regent into practice. My Christian faith holds me together and helps me fight tooth-and-nail as an advocate for justice. ”
Grace Pandithurai, J.D., 2010 Assistant District Attorney
“Most of my practice is devoted to cybersecurity or litigation related to information and privacy law. My goal is to carry forward the standard of excellence I learned at Regent. This will help me continue to influence and advance cybersecurity law to solve problems that we haven’t even thought about yet.”
Shawn Tuma, Juris Doctor (J.D.), 1999 Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Partner, Spencer Fane LLP Dallas, Texas
“I would put Regent up against the finest law schools. Regent provided me with a top-notch legal education. Quality academic instruction is required of any law school, but Regent went a step further by providing faculty and staff who genuinely cared for and supported the students.”
Teresa Hammons, J.D., 1988