Widener University

What you'll study

This programme emphasises applied legal research and advanced professional skills rather than preparation for bar admission. Core topics typically include advanced legal research methods, statutory and regulatory interpretation, advanced legal writing and drafting, evidence and trial support, and ethics for legal professionals. Elective options commonly address specialised areas such as corporate and business law (reflecting Widener’s strengths in corporate practice), administrative and regulatory law, healthcare law and compliance, intellectual property fundamentals, and eDiscovery/technology in legal practice.

• Advanced Legal Research: multi‑jurisdictional research strategies, use of primary and secondary sources, and research project design.
• Professional Legal Writing & Drafting: briefs, memoranda, contracts and regulatory submissions with emphasis on clarity and audience.
• Regulatory & Compliance Studies: frameworks for corporate compliance, risk assessment, and governmental enforcement processes.
• Practice Skills & Litigation Support: document review, evidence management, trial preparation and technology tools for modern litigation.
• Research Project or Capstone: a substantial independent or supervised applied research project addressing a practical legal question or organisational need.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold an accredited bachelor’s degree. Typical application materials include academic transcripts, a personal statement describing professional goals and how the degree will be used, and professional references. Relevant work experience in legal, regulatory, compliance or allied professional roles is desirable and may strengthen an application. The programme does not generally require a law degree or bar membership. Applicants whose first language is not English may need to demonstrate English proficiency according to Widener’s graduate admissions policies.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly move into or advance within roles that demand strong legal research and compliance capability. Typical career paths include paralegal and legal research positions, compliance officer or regulatory specialist roles in corporate and healthcare settings, eDiscovery and litigation support analysts, policy analyst or legislative researcher positions in government and non‑profit organisations, and contract or document drafting roles in business. The advanced research and writing focus also suits professionals who support attorneys, manage regulatory projects, or pursue doctoral study.

Why study at Widener University

Widener offers access to faculty with both academic and substantial practitioner experience, providing a curriculum grounded in the realities of legal work. The university’s law programmes have established ties with courts, firms and corporate employers in the Philadelphia/Delaware corridor, giving students opportunities for practical projects, externships and professional networking. Classes are typically delivered with a blend of seminar discussion, hands‑on skills labs and an applied capstone, supporting immediate workplace applicability. Smaller cohort sizes support personalised feedback on research and writing, and Widener’s law library and online legal resources support advanced scholarship and practice‑oriented projects.