Online Master of Legal Studies – Tribal Self-Governance
The online Master of Legal Studies in tribal self-governance is an advanced legal degree for non-lawyers. This program provides you with the foundation necessary to understand and implement current laws without pursuing a full law degree. You’ll be uniquely positioned to assist tribes to advance self-governance laws and policies in the coming decades.
Quick facts
Next start date: 08/19/2021
Total classes: 10
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 30
Degree questions, answered.
Have questions about the Tribal Self-Governance (MLS)? Fill out this form and we’ll get in touch!
Earn a legal background in tribal government
Tribes are sovereign nations with inherent authority to govern and protect the health, safety and welfare of tribal citizens within tribal lands and territories. There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States. Every tribe seeks to exercise broader self-governance over its lands, resources, citizens and relations with other governments.
Strong tribal governments are crucial to the health and well-being of people living within tribes. Tribal governments give structure to their communities by providing the services their citizens depend on, like police departments and court systems as well as social services such as education, health care, transportation and much more.
As the number of programs across all federal agencies operated under self-governance agreements continues to expand, professionals trained in tribal self-governance are needed to implement current federal programs and advance tribal self-governance through a variety of legal and policy mechanisms.
What is a tribal government?
Tribal governments are sovereign governments that operate separately from state or federal governments. Nearly 40% of federally recognized tribes operate under self-governance agreements with the U.S. Department of the Interior, and 132 tribes have self-governance agreements with the Indian Health Service. The number of tribes that participate in self-governance opportunities in these agencies grows each year, and the number of agencies contracting with tribes to effectuate tribal self-governance continues to grow.
Law classes to help you understand self-governance
You’ll take courses that emphasize all aspects of tribal self-governance, including Federal Indian Policy, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), planning for assumption of federal programs, negotiation of contracts and compacts with the Federal government, the HEARTH Act, and evolving trends in tribal self-governance. This program also provides externship opportunities with prominent tribes, federal entities and tribal consortia implementing tribal self-governance.
Required
US Law and Legal Analysis
Foundational
Fundamentals of Contract Law
Foundational
Criminal Procedure
Foundational
Criminal Law
Foundational
Tort Law
Foundational
US Constitutional Law
Foundational
Property Law
Foundational
Administrative Agencies and Regulations
What job can I get in tribal government?
Self-governance jobs are one of the fastest growing fields within Indian law and policy for tribes, federal agencies and entities that intersect with tribes. As new federal programs are eligible to be contracted by tribes, there is a tremendous need at the tribal and federal level for expertise to implement such programs. The online Master of Legal Studies in tribal self-governance will prepare you for work as senior or mid-level executives for tribes or tribal entities, tribal elected officials responsible for overseeing their tribe’s self-governance functions, and other careers that intersect with tribal self-governance.
Self-governance contract manager
Self-governance director
Self-governance policy analyst
Tribal administrator
Tribal chief of staff
Tribal chief operating officer
Learn from specialists in federal and tribal law
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 specialists in federal and tribal law
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.
Master of Legal Studies application requirements
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.
Join a renowned law school
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 and World Report rankings highlight our dedication to preparing students for success.
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in Arizona for bar passage.
Top 25
Bar Passage and JD Advantage Jobs, according to the American Bar Association.
Top 10
Public Law Schools, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Top 25
Best Law Schools, according to U.S. News & World Report.
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