Faculty Spotlight: Susan Stephan (Program Director, Master of Legal Studies)

Legal knowledge is beneficial for anyone in the workforce, not just attorneys. If you work in business,healthcare, IT, education, or even athletics, chances are you’ve navigated the laws and regulations that govern your field.

It may come as a surprise, but law school isn't your only option to expand your legal knowledge. Careers in various industries require a working knowledge of the law as it relates to a specific company, organization, or product. By pursuing advanced legal education, you can pursue a law-focused career without becoming an attorney. 

The University of Cincinnati’s online Master of Legal Studies degree program allows you to do just that. Hear from Program Director Susan Stephan, J.D., LL.M, about the opportunities available to MLS students at UC.

For many online learners, it’s been years since they’ve been in a college classroom. It’s a natural springboard for anxiety: connecting with peers, staying connected with professors, navigating online learning for the first time.

According to Susan, these factors have greatly shaped the structure and goals of the legal studies program.  

“They’re a little bit concerned about what the opportunity will be like,” she said. “Will they be able to connect with the students? Will that have any trouble with the technology?”

Susan’s primary goal is to ensure students feel comfortable with the online format and can build community, even in a virtual environment. Small class sizes make a big impact here; with every class capped at 20 students, no one feels like they’re just a number. Students have opportunities to get to know their instructors and “really feel comfortable that they can move at the pace that is important for them." 

That feeling of connection is hard to capture online, but positive student feedback shows that the legal studies program has succeeded in that respect.

“They have so many connections with the other students in their classes, with faculty, and with their student success coordinators,” Susan said. “They really do feel part of a community.” 

A huge benefit of online learning is not having to ever set foot on a college campus—especially for those who live far from Cincinnati or are juggling responsibilities on top of school. 

What about online students who do want to take advantage of on-campus resources? Is that possible? At UC, the answer is yes!

“Our online students are full UC students with all the benefits that all the other students have,” Susan said. “Some are local, some are from all over but love to visit and see the campus—and jump in with all that UC has to offer.”

Student resources available at UC run the gamut—from social activities to health and wellness services. Many student services are offered both in-person and virtually, like mental health counseling and peer tutoring.  

On campus, online students can have “classic” college experiences like attending athletic events, going to therecreation center, and even picking up their student ID card.

In many cases, online learners also get involved in extracurricular organizations on campus. They can take what they've learned in class and apply it to hands-on projects, connecting with the larger Bearcat community in the process. For some students, these experiences are the highlight of their UC journey.

Every year brings new changes and trends in the legal field. Ensuring that the legal studies curriculum reflects those changes is a consistent priority for Susan.

“We are constantly looking at each individual course to see what updates there might have been,” she said. 

The Master of Legal Studies degree is a streamlined, 30-credit hour program that can be completed in five semesters. Each course exposes students to a different area of law, such as:

• Business Law
• Compliance
• Contract Negotiation, Formation, and Interpretation 
• Labor Law
• Legal Research and Communication

Graduates can then utilize what they’ve learned as a business owner, compliance specialist, or any other role that requires legal knowledge.

After years of practicing law, Susan is well aware of how the industry shifts over time. The legal studiesprogram attempts to strike a balance between covering new topics and maintaining overall consistency in the coursework. Susan gave the example of artificial intelligence (AI) becoming more prevalent in legal practice.

“Artificial intelligence is suddenly everywhere, and in everybody's workspace and personal lives. And so we'retrying to always make sure that whatever the current topics are, they’re woven into our existing curriculum.”

If you’re looking for a single takeaway, it's that legal education doesn’t have to be intimidating. Even if you don’t want to tackle law school, you still have opportunities to expand your legal knowledge and bring that skillset into your career. 

When asked for advice, Susan encouraged anyone who is interested in law to explore options like the Master of Legal Studies degree.

“I think it's so beneficial,” she said. “Not only just to learn and have that basis of knowledge and the context for what they do, but also to really be able to contribute more—just having the background.” 

If you ever considered law school but found the prospect too daunting, a legal studies program is a fantastic alternative. You can satisfy your curiosity about the legal field without the time-consuming, on-campus commitment of law school.  

Best of all, what you learn is applicable “for anyone at any stage in their career.” Even if you pivot industries down the road, that core legal knowledge will always be beneficial.

Susan’s dedication and passion shines through in every word she says. We’re grateful she took the time to share what makes UC’s legal studies program special!

You can watch Susan's full interview below.

If you feel that spark of curiosity Susan mentioned, consider exploring if UC’s online Master of Legal Studies is a good fit for your goals. The program’s flexible, asynchronous curriculum is designed with working professionals in mind. It also leaves room for specialization through stackable online graduate certificates in IT and Cyber Law, Healthcare Administration Regulation, Sports Law, and Business Compliance.  

Don’t let your questions hold you back. Connect with UC today and get personalized guidance from your Enrollment Services Advisor.