Master of Legal Studies in Human Rights & Global Justice
Learn to Advocate for the Oppressed with a Human Rights Master’s Degree
The Master of Legal Studies in Human Rights & Global Justice, offered completely online, can equip you with the skills you need to seek justice and serve as an advocate for those who are oppressed and vulnerable in the United States and around the world. Taught from a biblical perspective, this online human rights law degree can help you gain a competitive edge and solidify your reputation as a legal expert and trusted professional.
Enhance Your Credentials without a J.D.
Earn your Master of Legal Studies credential in just five semesters with this practical alternative to the on-campus 3-year Juris Doctor degree.
Expand Your Experience
If you live in Virginia Beach, participate in some global projects of Regent’s Center for Global Justice®.
Advance Your Knowledge with a human rights Master’s degree
Choose from a robust list of courses from human trafficking, immigration, children’s rights to religious freedom and civil liberties.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the Master of Legal Studies in Human Rights & Global Justice degree, you can:
- Demonstrate proficiency in international criminal law.
- Apply your knowledge of rule of law principles to strengthen the legal culture in developing nation-states.
- Apply your knowledge of human rights and violations in cases such as trafficking in persons.
- Evaluate legal issues through the framework of human rights law.
Career Opportunities
- International legal advocacy
- Nonprofit administration
- Social entrepreneurship
| Code | Name | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code: MLAW 535 | International Trafficking in Persons | Credits: 3 | 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. |
| Code: MLAW 584 | Asylum & Refugee Law | Credits: 3 | International and U.S. refugee law with an emphasis on asylum law in the United States. |
| Code: MLAW 636 | International Criminal Law | Credits: 3 | The criminal law that applies across international borders, including key international criminal law tribunals from Nuremberg to the International Criminal Court and the substantive law of international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. |
| Code: MLAW 638 | International Religious Freedom | Credits: 3 | International and regional laws regarding the right to expression and protection of religious belief. Defenses to protect religious freedom, mechanisms for advocacy and intervention, and the impact that non-governmental organizations can have in protecting religious freedom. J.D. student prerequisite: LAW 511 and completion of two semester of law school. Cross-listed with GOV 657. |
| Code: MLAW 686 | International & Comparative Human Rights | Credits: 3 | Addresses the questions of the universality of human rights, including the right of life, the right to death, rights of the child, women’s rights, religious freedoms, the rights of third-world countries and the export of Western values to Eastern societies. |
Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.
- Master of Legal Studies in Advanced Paralegal Studies
- Master of Legal Studies in Business Law
- Master of Legal Studies in Criminal Law & the Justice System
- Master of Legal Studies in Cybersecurity Law
- Master of Legal Studies in Healthcare Law
- Master of Legal Studies in Human Resources Law
- Master of Legal Studies in Immigration Law
- Master of Legal Studies in Legal Studies
- Master of Legal Studies in National Security
- Master of Legal Studies in Negotiation, Mediation, & Dispute Resolution
- Master of Legal Studies in Nonprofit & Church Law
2026-27 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.
| Session | Semester Check-In | Session Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Session A | Friday, August 14 | Monday, August 24 |
| Session B | Friday, October 16 | Monday, October 26 |
| Session C | Wednesday, January 6 | Monday, January 11 |
| Session D | Friday, March 5 | Monday, March 15 |
| Session E | Friday, April 30 | Monday, May 10 |
| Session F | Friday, June 11 | Monday, June 21 |
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 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
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA)/Master of Legal Studies (MLS) | $715 | 6 | $4,290 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies | $1,148 (On-Campus) | 6 | $6,888 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights | $1,148 (On-Campus) $799 (Online) | 6 | $6,888 $4,794 |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,449 | 11 | $15,939 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA)/Master of Legal Studies (MLS) | $715 | 9 | $6,435 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies | $1,148 (On-Campus) | 9 | $10,332 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights | $1,148 (On-Campus) $799 (Online) | 9 | $10,332 $7,191 |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,449 | 15 | $21,735 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
J.D. Program Fees Per Semester
| Student Bar Association | $80 (per semester) |
|---|---|
| Bar Preparation Program Fee | $430 (per semester)** |
| Classroom Response Tech Fee | Returning Students: $47 (every fall semester) First-Year Students: $73 (every fall 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 2026-27
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)
| Tuition | $43,470 |
|---|---|
| University Fees | $1,800 |
| Program Fees | $1,046 |
| Loan Fees | $326 |
| Books & Supplies | $2,000 |
| Food | $5,792 |
| Housing* | $13,120 |
| Transportation | $4,224 |
| Personal | $5,056 |
| Total | $76,834 |
*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.
Part-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 6 | $4,290 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies | $1,090 (On-Campus) | 6 | $6,540 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights | $1,090 (On-Campus) $761 (Online) | 6 | $6,540 $4,566 |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,400 | 11 | $15,400 |
Full-Time Students
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts (MA) | $715 | 9 | $6,435 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in American Legal Studies | $1,090 (On-Campus) | 9 | $9,810 |
| Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights | $1,090 (On-Campus) $761 (Online) | 9 | $9,810 $6,849 |
| Juris Doctor (JD) | $1,400 | 15 | $21,000 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer) |
|---|---|
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $750 |
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 2025-26
Full-time J.D. (Fall/Spring Combined)
| Tuition | $42,000 |
|---|---|
| University Fees | $1,800 |
| Program Fees | $1,046 |
| Loan Fees | $326 |
| Books & Supplies | $2,000 |
| Food | $5,792 |
| Housing* | $13,120 |
| Transportation | $4,224 |
| Personal | $5,056 |
| Total | $75,364 |
*Estimated off-campus housing cost. If living in on-campus housing, the amount may vary.
*Rates are subject to change at any time.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the Master of Legal Studies program, each student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an appropriate level of legal knowledge within the student’s concentration;
- Apply legal knowledge in practical settings;
- Write knowledgeably and effectively on legal issues;
- Explain the relevance of Christian principles to law.