A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) focused on digital law and technology opens doors across a wide range of careers at the intersection of technology, business and law. A digital paradigm shift is underway and employers are scrambling to catch up. Opportunity awaits those prepared to seize it.
Northern Kentucky University (NKU) and employers in related fields jointly developed the online MLS in Digital Law & Technology program to address the intersection of these disciplinesand to help students build today’s most in-demand skills. The program prepares non-lawyers to work alongside attorneys, business leaders and technology experts in the dynamic digital world.
What Does an MLS in Digital Law and Technology Cover?
Students in NKU’s online program become experts in the laws and regulations governing virtual storefronts, cybersecurity risks, the detection of digital crimes and the use of smart blockchain contracts and payments via digital currency. They also learn about the legal issues surrounding data creation, data privacy, intellectual property in the digital sphere, corporate compliance and end users’ rights.
Students learn about the ways technology allows individuals, organizations and governments to commit remote acts of harm, such as identity theft, election subversion and public utility threats. They study the statutes and regulations governing inter-jurisdictional disagreements and assess the obstacles that arise during attempts to enforce evolving laws and regulations. The online MLS curriculum also anticipates future scenarios, preparing graduates for upcoming legal challenges.
NKU offers the digital law and technology master’s program through its Salmon P. Chase College of Law, which is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association (ABA). The program develops professionals who can make legally-informed decisions in a technology-driven world and meet the demand for workers with specialized legal expertise.
Career Opportunities for MLS – Digital Law & Technology Graduates
The following roles represent a few of the opportunities awaiting graduates of this program, including average annual earnings. Salary data for each role comes from ZipRecruiter, as of April 2026.
-
Data Privacy Manager: $97,145
Individuals in this position in both private and public sector environments develop, implement and enforce user policies in compliance with security laws. This includes business processes, data exchanges and digital contracts. The data privacy manager also conducts confidentiality and privacy training for personnel and oversees a team of direct reports.
-
Legal Operations Manager: $84,144
This role involves managing outside counsel and vendors, overseeing a legal department’s staffing needs, managing the budget and working with stakeholders in the business and technology spheres. Legal operations managers bridge the gap between legal strategy and day-to-day organizational execution.
-
Compliance Manager: $95,103
This role is crucial in any industry, as compliance managers ensure that an organization adheres to legal and ethical requirements. These professionals are responsible for minimizing financial and legal exposure by ensuring organizations adhere to relevant codes and regulations. Compliance managers complete annual reviews, inform others of legal requirements and improve areas of an organization that do not meet state or federal laws.
-
Information Security Analyst: $96,652
Professionals in this role protect companies and government agencies from breaches and unauthorized access, as well as system modifications and destruction. They also develop security protocols with their teams, collaborating with end users to address the needs of each department. They are experts in internet architecture and firewall configuration, with an understanding of domain structures and digital signatures.
-
Information Security Manager: $136,104
Information security managers at private companies and public sector agencies prevent costly security breaches by identifying and minimizing areas of vulnerability. They work specifically with disaster recovery, database protection and software development, ensuring that all applications remain secure. They also develop information security standards, architecture, systems and best practices and implement policies for ensuring compliance.
Meet the Growing Demand for Digital Law Experts With an Online MLS From NKU
The challenges at the intersection of business, technology and law are becoming more common and complex every day. Demand for professionals with advanced expertise in these areas continues to grow.
NKU’s online MLS in Digital Law & Technology program equips graduates with the legal knowledge and technical fluency needed to successfully navigate this dynamic and evolving landscape. With career opportunities across industries and sectors, graduates of this ABA-approved program enter the workforce ready to lead at the forefront of digital law.
Learn more about NKU’s online MLS – Digital Law & Technology program.
