William & Mary Board Approves Five New Graduate Law Certificates to Expand Professional Legal Education
In February, the William & Mary Board of Visitors approved five new graduate certificate programs designed to meet rising demand for applied legal knowledge across regulated, technology-driven, and professional sectors. The certificates expand the university’s portfolio of flexible, career-focused legal education and support working professionals seeking specialized expertise. They will be launched in January 2027.
“With these new certificates, we are expanding access to the kind of applied legal education that has long been a hallmark of William & Mary Law School,” said A. Benjamin Spencer, Dean of the Law School. “Today’s professionals, whether or not they are lawyers, must understand the legal dimensions of their work. These programs deliver that expertise in a way that is flexible, relevant, and immediately useful.”
The newly approved certificates—spanning U.S. Law and Legal Foundations, Compliance and Risk Management Law, Health Law, Finance Law, and Law and Emerging Technologies—emphasize practical application, regulatory awareness, and strategic decision‑making. Each is designed to help students integrate legal and compliance knowledge directly into organizational settings.
Graduate Certificate in U.S. Law and Legal Foundations (15 credits)
This certificate provides a broad introduction to the American legal system, emphasizing legal literacy, ethical reasoning, and applied legal analysis. Designed for professionals across business, government, and nonprofit sectors, the program equips graduates to engage confidently with law-related responsibilities and enhance career readiness.
Graduate Certificate in Compliance and Risk Management Law
This certificate provides students with a comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks, organizational risk, and strategic compliance structures that shape modern enterprises.
Graduate Certificate in Health Law
The Health Law certificate focuses on the legal and regulatory frameworks governing the healthcare industry.
Graduate Certificate in Finance Law
The Finance Law certificate offers a grounding in the laws and regulations that shape the U.S. financial services industry.
Graduate Certificate in Law and Emerging Technologies (12 credits)
This certificate prepares students to navigate legal, regulatory, and ethical challenges created by rapidly advancing technologies.
Together, the newly approved certificates reaffirm William & Mary’s commitment to innovative, accessible education and to preparing professionals to succeed in increasingly complex legal and regulatory environments.