Master of Jurisprudence Programs
Gain in-depth legal expertise with a practical focus to position yourself for roles where knowledge of the law and regulatory systems is a strategic necessity.
Law School | On-Campus
Program Options
The MJ is highly flexible, with multiple options to obtain the precise training you need to pursue your career goals.
MJ in Compliance and Risk Management
Today’s businesses operate in a highly regulated environment. In this 100% online program, you’ll acquire the business and legal knowledge to help them navigate this context successfully: expert faculty from the Law School and the Zimpleman College of Business instruct you in state, federal, and industry regulations, procedural law, risk mitigation, and creating workplace compliance programs.
MJ in Individualized Legal Studies
Design a course of study that aligns with your career goals and interests. Half of the courses required for this degree will be electives drawn from the broad range of courses offered by Drake Law, and you have the option to allocate 12 credits toward a concentration in business law, criminal law, or international law and global citizenship.
MJ in Intellectual Property Law
Develop key competencies and expertise in the intricacies of intellectual property from an international perspective. The curriculum is designed to equip those without a prior law degree to become successful transnational international property (IP) lawyers. Ideal for doctoral students, policymakers, government officials, business executives, journalists, scientists, technology developers, and intellectual property agents.
Business Law Concentration
For business professionals all over the world, training in U.S. regulations and legal considerations turns you into an organizational asset. This concentration introduces you to vital corporate, tax, and commercial laws.
Criminal Law Concentration
Deepen your understanding of criminal law. The concentration includes core courses to establish the fundamentals plus electives in areas like constitutional litigation, national security, and global issues in criminal law to further refine your training.
International Law and Global Citizenship Concentration
Examine the roles of nations, international organizations, individuals, and laws in the promotion and protection of human rights. In the process, you’ll consider traditional political rights like free speech along with social and economic rights in healthcare, education, and related areas.
Meet the Faculty
Draw from the expertise and wisdom of legal practitioners with extensive backgrounds in private practice, in-house counsel, and public service. A low student-to-faculty ratio provides you with individual attention and support to maximize your growth.
Outside the Classroom
At Drake Law School, you can expect skilled classroom instruction that builds your foundation of legal knowledge. Learn more about what’s available beyond the lecture hall, from formative hands-on experience to resources to fund your studies.
Written Project Requirement
Sharpen your legal reasoning, research, and writing skills through a substantial professional paper crafted under the supervision of a Law School faculty member.
Experiential Training Requirement
Gain real-world experience as part of your program. You’ll help serve clients in Drake’s Legal Clinic, or immerse yourself in a specific area of legal practice through one of more than 30 internship programs.
Financial Aid
Master of Jurisprudence students who enroll for a minimum of five credits per semester are eligible to apply for federal loans. Students may also be able to secure scholarships through external organizations.
Careers & Skills
From human resources, workplace safety, and contracts to product design, trade secrets, and patents, understanding the law allows employees to uphold regulatory compliance, business relationships, and their company’s reputation.
The MJ degree sheds light on your field’s legal framework, enhancing how you perform your job and equipping you for roles where you’ll oversee compliance concerns or manage related risks. Depending upon your undergraduate major, work experience, and program focus, you may qualify for a position as an analyst, a manager, a researcher, or a consultant in business, healthcare, government, legal services, finance, insurance, or academia.
Job Titles
- Compliance officer
- Financial risk specialist
- Legal consultant
- Legal research specialist
- Regulatory affairs specialist
- Risk management analyst
Skills
- Critical thinking
- Legal problem solving
- Legal research and analysis
- Professional communication
- Specialized knowledge in domains of focus
Salary & Growth Outlook
Average annual wage for financial risk specialists in 2023. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
How to Apply
You will find the basic steps for applying below. In-depth details, such as information for international students and where to send your transcripts, can be found at the bottom of this section under the dropdown titled “Application Step Details”.
- Open the graduate application portal.
- Create or log in to an existing account.
- Fill out the information required on the application. Please be prepared to provide information such as basic personal details, previous institutions attended, and your most current employment.
- Submit copies of transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities. Unofficial transcripts may be used for admittance. Upon acceptance, applicants will need to supply official transcripts into the application portal within 30 days after the start of the first course.
- Submit an electronic copy of your résumé or curriculum vitae.
- Submit a one-page essay detailing your work experience in the area of compliance, why you wish to pursue the program, and how the program will enhance your career.
- Submit contact information for two professional recommendations.
Transcript Information
Mail transcripts to:
Drake University
Attn: Drake Online & Continuing Education
2507 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311
Or email:
drakeonline@drake.edu
Transfer Credits
A maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate course credits from an AACSB-accredited graduate business school or ABA accredited law school will be allowed. All applications with transfer credits will take at least five days for review. Graduate course credit hours may be considered for transfer provided the following criteria are met:
- Credits must be earned within four years of applying for the Drake Master of Jurisprudence Program
- At minimum, a “B-” grade was earned in the course(s)
- Credits are approved by the Program Director of Compliance and Risk Management
- Credits are directly related to the Master of Jurisprudence program
International Students
If a student earned her/his undergraduate degree outside of the United States, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required. Scores dated within the last two years are acceptable and must be reported directly from the testing agency. Minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 213 on the computer-based exam, 550 on the paper-based exam, or 79-80 on the Internet-based exam. Minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. Minimum scores on each section of reading, writing, speaking and listening may be required.
Duolingo test also accepted (minimum score of 110).
Tuition
Drake University is committed to providing a high-quality education at an exceptional value. Our online Master of Jurisprudence degree, priced at $867 per credit hour, equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to advance your career. This investment ensures you graduate with the expertise needed to stand out and make a meaningful impact in your field.
Financial Aid
Loans are available for students wishing to pursue an MJ degree. Students must enroll in a minimum of five credits each semester in order to borrow loans.
Students are required to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) if they are interested in borrowing loans. That form is available as of October 1 of the year prior to enrollment. Drake University's code for the FAFSA is 001860. (studentaid.gov)
Once the FAFSA has been processed, the Drake Office of Student Financial Planning will mail a financial aid packet. Loan documents should be submitted approximately one month prior to enrollment, if not earlier. Instructions are included in the packet.
There are currently no scholarships available for students in the MJ program. However, if a student earns at least six credits in law school courses towards an MJ and the student is later accepted into the J.D. program, the law school will provide a one-time scholarship for the J.D. program for the amount the student paid for up to six law school MJ credits. This scholarship would be granted in addition to any other scholarship, but the combined scholarships may not exceed the cost of tuition.
If your employer offers tuition reimbursement, additional details on that program can be found online: http://www.drake.edu/accounts/paymentoptions/. Please note: Access to the student portal MyDrake will be granted prior to the start of the academic year. At that time, forms will be available.
For more information, contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at 515-271-2782 or law-admit@drake.edu.
| Semester | Start Date | Application Deadline | Registration Deadline |
| Fall Term 1 | 08/25/25 | 08/18/25 | 08/21/25 |
| Fall Term 2 | 10/20/25 | 10/13/25 | 10/16/25 |
| Spring Term 1 | 01/26/26 | 01/19/26 | 01/22/26 |
| Spring Term 2 | 03/23/26 | 03/16/26 | 03/19/26 |
Take the Next Step
Build legal expertise—and the next stage of your career—at one of the country’s top law schools for practical legal education.
Contact
Compliance and Risk Management
Julia Steggerda-Corey, Director of the Compliance and Risk Management Program
515-271-2912
julia.steggerda-corey@drake.edu
Individualized Studies
Ellen Yee, Director of International Programs; Professor of Law
515-271-1914
ellen.yee@drake.edu
General Inquiries
For more information, contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at 515-271-2782 or law-admit@drake.edu.
