Online Master of Legal Studies - Indian Gaming Emphasis

The Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in Indian gaming provides in-depth knowledge of the nuances of Indian gaming and law. You’ll learn how to navigate the variety of real-world legal situations faced in the industry, and prepare for roles in casinos themselves, and government and tribal leadership positions.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

Next start date: 05/16/2024


Total classes:

Total classes: 10

Weeks per class:

Weeks per class: 7.5

Total credit hours:

Total credit hours: 30

Degree questions, answered.

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What is Indian gaming and law?

Indian gaming is estimated to generate more than $30 billion in gross gaming revenues annually. Indian gaming, and the legal act that regulates it, includes card games, machines such as slots, and gambling that often takes place in casinos. This industry has a substantial positive impact on the provision of governmental services to tribal and non-tribal communities. Indian gaming revenues support education, health care, housing, law enforcement, social services and a multitude of other services and infrastructure for tribal and surrounding communities.

Indian gaming is a highly regulated and specialized field in which tribes, gaming enterprises, federal entities, states and local governments have a demand for legal professionals to help them excel. The industry is evolving, with tribes increasingly managing gaming facilities of other tribes, and there’s been an influx of technological advancements in Indian gaming.

This Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in Indian gaming teaches you how to navigate the Indian gaming industry’s challenges through an understanding of its intricacies and the associated legal, regulatory and policy factors involved. The lands are sovereign, and each reservation its own state. So, you must understand how the laws govern these areas and be able to navigate the legal hurdles.

How will this degree introduce me to Indian gaming law and casino management?

 

The Indian gaming emphasis of the Master of Legal Studies equips professionals with essential background in federal Indian law, Indian gaming law and comprehensive courses designed to secure employment relating to Indian gaming.

It is the only law program in the country that provides a graduate-level, in-depth curriculum covering all aspects of Indian gaming, including:

  • Evolving trends in Indian gaming.
  • Intergovernmental-agreements.
  • The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
  • The legal history of Indian gaming.
  • The role of tribal and federal regulatory agencies.
  • Tribal-state compacts.

The program provides externship opportunities with prominent tribes, federal entities and gaming management entities in the Indian gaming industry.

What can I do with Indian gaming skills?

 

The Indian gaming industry is trending toward hiring executives who have multifaceted skills in federal Indian law plus other areas such as business and human resources. So, this Master of Legal Studies with an emphasis in Indian gaming is an ideal degree for those aspiring to work at the highest levels of Indian gaming but do not wish to be a lawyer.

Indian gaming degree emphasis graduates can find work with:

  • Federal entities such as the Department of the Interior.
  • Gaming enterprises.
  • Inter-tribal organizations.
  • Non-tribal entities that do business with tribes.
  • States and municipalities that interact with tribes on regulatory and governance issues.
  • The National Indian Gaming Commission.
  • Tribes.

Graduates may serve as:

  • Congressional staff.
  • Federal, state and local employees.
  • Senior or mid-level executives.
  • Tribal officials responsible for overseeing their tribal gaming operations.

What is a degree emphasis? Is it the same as a concentration?

 

A degree program’s emphasis is similar to a concentration, but there are key differences.

  • A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major. A concentration requires a minimum of 15 credit hours of which at least nine credit hours must be upper division. Your concentration appears on both your ASU diploma and your transcripts.
  • An emphasis is a selected topic area defined within the major. It’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared. The emphasis will not appear on your diploma or transcripts.

Does my Master of Legal Studies degree say 'online'?

No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.” That’s because ASU Online students learn from the same faculty and receive the same course content as in-person students receive.

Please note your diploma will state the degree you earn: Master of Legal Studies. Your emphasis in Indian gaming will not appear on your diploma or transcripts.

Indian gaming and law courses

The program features a number of law courses that will prepare you for navigating all the intricacies of Indian casino law and gaming.


Required

US Law and Legal Analysis


Foundational

Fundamentals of Contract Law


Foundational

Criminal Procedure


Foundational

Criminal Law


Fondational

Tort Law


Foundational

US Constitutional Law


Foundational

Property Law


Foundational

Administrative Agencies and Regulations


What can I do with an Indian gaming degree emphasis?

Indian gaming generates career opportunities at casino facilities, in governmental departments and in other tribal businesses as well as federal, state and local governments and businesses. Potential career paths you can pursue include, but aren’t limited to:

Casino assistant general manager

Casino general manager

Congressional staff

Executive director, tribal gaming regulator

Federal management/commission positions

State gaming commissioner/regulator

Tribal administrator

Tribal chief of staff

Tribal chief operating officer

Learn from Indian gaming and casino management professionals

The faculty members in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law have more than 300 combined years of experience. Hailing from across the country, they’re nationally recognized for their wealth of knowledge. The College of Law’s world-class faculty members provide comprehensive legal education in popular focus areas and address legal challenges on a global scale.

Learn from Indian gaming and casino management professionals

The faculty members in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law have more than 300 combined years of experience. Hailing from across the country, they’re nationally recognized for their wealth of knowledge. The College of Law’s world-class faculty members provide comprehensive legal education in popular focus areas and address legal challenges on a global scale.

Requirements for the MLS with an emphasis in Indian gaming

Applicants to the Master of Legal Studies program must fulfill the requirements of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

U.S.-educated applicants can apply through our FastApp process, which streamlines the application process and may allow for an offer of conditional admission to the MLS program while the applicant continues to submit any additional requested documentation. Find more information about the FastApp process here.

FastApp process

Application requirements

Additional admission information

Join one of the best law schools in the country

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU is one of the top schools in the nation. The college provides personalized and practical legal education. Offering more than 250 unique courses, students have the opportunity to tailor their educational experiences to meet their unique interests. Our bar passage achievements and peer-reviewed U.S. News & World Report rankings highlight our dedication to preparing students for success.

#1


in Arizona for bar passage.

5


law programs ranked amongst the top 25 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

#12


public law schools, according to U.S. News & World Report.

#32


best law schools, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

Tuition calculator

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.

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