Law Firm Management Master of Professional Studies
For leading law firms to maintain their edge, they need a steady executive hand that can craft a long-term strategic vision, build consensus and guide everyone forward.
Designed to accommodate the demanding schedules of full-time professionals, the master’s degree in Law Firm Management provides you with the perspective of senior partners and prepares you to take leadership roles in the management of your firm. Students have compared the program to an MBA for the legal services industry.
Working directly with noted legal experts including former chairmen of Arnold & Porter and Morrison & Foerster, students master the development and implementation of organizational strategy based on economic trends, profitability and emerging legal technology. By applying these skills, many graduates have experienced tremendous career growth in such fields as operations, business development, marketing, finance and human resources.
Please note: we are not currently accepting applications for this program.
Program at a Glance
The size of our classes range from 12-20 students providing opportunities for interactive experiences with faculty.
Our 30 credit program begins each summer and you can complete it in 18 months.
Our distance-based program's flexibility is ideal for working professionals and you can take what you learn in class to apply immediately at work.
Our talented professors are respected experts in the field. You'll learn from and engage with those from the GW School of Business, Arnold & Porter and Morrison & Foerster.
What Graduates Do
All students have professional administrative experience in law firms or related settings. Positions held by students include: Administrator, Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, Director of Human Resources, Director of Professional Development, Marketing Manager, Operations Manager, Finance Director, IT Manager, Managing Partner, Practice Group Leaders, Senior Paralegals, Knowledge Management, and Counsel.
Where You'll Study
Our flexible program is designed for working professionals. Your courses are primarily distance-based so you can study from anywhere. Students are required to participate in five short-term residency programs at our Graduate Education Center in Alexandria, VA.
What You'll Study
As a student in our program, you’ll learn:
- Development and implementation of strategy
- Law firm economics and profitability analysis
- Law firm management structures
- Legal services market analysis
- Marketing, branding and client services
- Legal Lean Sigma® process improvement and legal project management
- Legal technology and knowledge management
You'll complete 30 credits of coursework, most of which is distance-based, but you are required to attend in-person residencies.
PSLM 6201: Theories, Principles, and Practices of Law Firm Management
PSLM 6202: Applying Strategic and Business Planning
PSLM 6203: Practical Applications of Law Firm Management
PSLM 6204: Principles of Leadership
PSLM 6205: Application of Leadership Frameworks
PSLM 6206: Strategic Leadership for Sustainability and Change
PSLM 6207: Process Improvement in Law Firms
PSLM 6208: Legal Technology and Knowledge Management
The program requires two 9-day in-person residencies and three 4-day in-person residencies in Alexandria, Virginia. Prior to attending the first 9-day residency, students are provided with an extensive reading list of books and articles. These materials need to be read before attending the residency to prepare. In addition, students need to make travel, hotel, professional, financial and personal arrangements.
Students enrolling in the program should immediately put on their calendars the dates for the program residencies for the following years. The residencies are a required part of the program and cannot be missed. If it is not possible for a student to attend a particular residency, the student will have to wait a year and then take that residency with another cohort. While this situation has occurred in a few instances, it is to be avoided at all costs.
Law Firm Management
June Residency: June 2 - June 10, 2018 (9 days)
Distance Learning: June 11 - October 25, 2018
October Residency: October 26-29, 2018 (4 days)
Law Firm Leadership
January Residency: January 19-27, 2019 (9 days)
Distance Learning: January 28 - May 2, 2019
May Residency: May 3-5, 2019 (3 days)
Process Improvement in Law Firms
Distance Learning: May 6 - October 10, 2019
Legal Technology and Knowledge Management
October Residency: October 11-13, 2019 (3 days)
Law Firm Management
June Residency: June 1-June 9, 2019 (9 days)
Distance Learning: June 10-October 24, 2019
October Residency: October 25-28, 2019 (4 days)
Law Firm Leadership
January Residency: Jan 18-26, 2020 (9 days)
Distance Learning: Jan 27-May 6, 2020
May Residency: May 7-9, 2020 (3 days)
Process Improvement in Law Firms
Distance Learning: May 10-Oct 15, 2020
Legal Technology and Knowledge Management
October Residency: Oct 16-19, 2020 (4 days)
Admissions Information
To be considered for the Law Firm Management MPS program you must:
- Have a Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher (on the 4.0 point scale) from a regionally accredited college or university
- Have professional administrative experience in a law firm or related setting.
Please apply online after carefully reviewing the detailed application instructions. International students need to note additional requirements.
Please note: we are not currently accepting applications for this program.
Our tuition and fees vary by program and location, generally increasing annually. This is an estimate based on current tuition rates and fee structures. Total tuition and fees will vary according to the courses taken and the timeframe in which you complete your coursework. If needed, you can find financial aid opportunities.
Costs
| Rates Effective Summer 2019-Spring 2020 Terms | |
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Curriculum
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30 credits |
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Tuition (Effective Summer 2019-Spring 2020 Terms) 30 credits @ $1,655/credit hour |
$49,650 |
| Registration Fees (5 registration sessions @ $35 each) | $175 |
| Total (Tuition + Fees) | $49,825 |
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Other Costs to Consider
- Application fee: $80
- Matriculation fee (one time): $200
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Students are responsible for the cost of their travel, meals and accommodations for the residency programs
"The Master's in Law Firm Management Program has been invaluable to my growth as a leader and law firm professional. By working with nationally renowned faculty and my classmates from all over the country, I have developed a heightened understanding of the legal industry and learned how to bring that perspective back to my firm."
Kathleen Pearson, MPS
Chief Human Resources Officer, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
Contacts
Carl A. Leonard, J.D.
Program Director
(831) 238-4615
[email protected]
Amber Beasley
Senior Recruitment and Enrollment Specialist
(571) 553-0043
[email protected]
Schedule a time to chat
Request Information
Information Sessions
We periodically offer online and in-person information sessions about the Law Firm Management Master of Professional Studies. Contact the program representative to learn more about upcoming events.
