Chapman University

What you'll study

This programme combines rigorous legal research training with applied professional modules. Core study areas typically include advanced legal research methods, statutory and regulatory interpretation, legal writing and drafting at an advanced level, empirical and doctrinal research approaches, and legal information retrieval. Students also study professional practice topics such as ethics and professional responsibility, compliance and risk management, e-discovery and information governance, and the application of law in regulatory, corporate and public-sector contexts.

• Advanced Legal Research Methods — techniques for complex statutory, regulatory and case-law research, including use of specialised databases and archival sources.
• Legal Writing and Drafting — high-level brief drafting, legislative and regulatory drafting, policy memos and advocacy documents.
• Comparative and International Legal Research — approaches to researching foreign and transnational law and integrating comparative perspectives.
• Empirical Methods for Legal Research — quantitative and qualitative methods used in legal scholarship and policy evaluation.
• Compliance, Governance and Risk — practical regulatory frameworks, corporate compliance programmes and enforcement strategies.
• Professional Ethics and Lawyering Skills — responsibilities of legal professionals, confidentiality, conflicts of interest and professional standards.
• Capstone or Research Project — an extended research project, practicum or supervised professional placement that applies research skills to a real-world legal or policy issue.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Candidates with professional experience in law-related fields, public policy, government, compliance, business or the non-profit sector are welcome. Typical application materials include an academic transcript, a statement of purpose outlining research and professional goals, a current résumé or CV, and one or more letters of recommendation. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or equivalent evidence of prior study in English. Specific admissions conditions and any prerequisite coursework are set by the programme and assessed on an individual basis.

Career prospects

Graduates leave prepared for roles that require high-level legal research and applied law skills across multiple sectors. Common career paths include legal research analyst, compliance officer or manager, policy analyst, legislative or regulatory affairs specialist, paralegal supervisor, in-house counsel support roles, and positions in think tanks, NGOs or government agencies. The research emphasis also provides a solid foundation for those who choose to continue to doctoral study or pursue law degrees where permitted.

Why study at Chapman University

Chapman University offers a personalised learning environment with small class sizes and close access to faculty experienced in both scholarship and practice. The university’s law-related resources — including specialised libraries, research support staff and clinic or practicum opportunities — help bridge academic training and professional application. Located in Southern California, Chapman provides strong regional connections to law firms, corporate legal departments, government offices and non-profit organisations, enabling internship and networking opportunities to complement coursework. The programme’s blend of advanced methodology, applied projects and professional development is designed to serve both practising professionals and those preparing for advanced academic work.