Spotlight on exceptional Master of Legal Studies students

These professionals are pursuing the health care track and law and technology track.
Four MLS students
Derrick Cooper, Ashley Collins, Aisha Moore, and Jay Rosario

In today’s rapidly evolving legal landscape, professionals from various fields are increasingly recognizing the importance of legal knowledge in their careers. The University of Miami School of Law has responded to this growing need with the introduction of a groundbreaking 30-credit Master of Legal Studies program specifically designed for non-lawyers seeking to deepen their understanding of critical legal areas.

With six specialized tracks—including Healthcare Law and Regulation, Law and Technology with a focus on Cybersecurity, Information Privacy, and AI, Employment Law and Human Resources Risk Management, Real Estate and Construction Law and Regulation, and Financial Services and FinTech Regulation—the MLS program equips students with the insights required to navigate complex legal challenges in their respective fields. In this article, we will explore the journeys of four students within this innovative program, highlighting how their experiences and education are shaping their careers in the law-adjacent arenas.

Looking for a Foundation in Healthcare Law

Ashley Collins, a registered nurse, is vice president of clinical compliance at BLES Healthcare, where her team excels in improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. She is in the MLS Healthcare Track.

With an MBA and degrees in both Nursing and Health Care Administration combined with extensive experience in nursing management, geriatric care, and home care, Collins chose Miami Law’s MLS program because of the School of Law’s exceptional longstanding reputation and the program’s focus on providing practical, real-world applications in legal education.

"As a certified legal nurse consultant and vice president of Clinical Operations and Compliance, I was drawn to the program’s tailored healthcare law courses, which directly address the challenges I face in my career. I wanted a program that would provide a strong foundation in healthcare law and align with the complex needs of my profession. The support from Miami Law’s faculty and the collaborative learning environment has already given me the tools I need to better navigate complex regulatory frameworks and have improved my ability to lead with confidence in both clinical and operational settings," she said.

Expanding Law and Technology Knowledge

Jay Rosario is is enrolled in the MLS Technology Track, and she received her B.A. and M.S. from Florida International University. She works in financial services and is a member of the International Society of Female Professionals.

She is studying this additional degree to augment her career where she is now the Assistant Vice President, Program Management, at Bayview Asset Management LLC in Miami, a firm focused on investments in mortgage and consumer credit, including whole loans, asset backed securities, mortgage servicing rights, and other credit-related assets.

Regarding the MLS, she values the practical aspects of the program and says, "The program facilitates real time classroom to business implementation."

Deepening Understanding of Cybersecurity and Privacy

Derrick L. Cooper is experienced in System Applications and Products Functional Configuration and solution architect with over 28 years of diverse experience in finance, accounting, production support, system audits, client relationship management, and SAP ERP implementation. He is enrolled in the MLS Technology Track.

He has held senior roles in various organizations, including PricewaterhouseCoopers, Clark Construction, Ernst & Young, and Bank of America. His expertise spans SAP R/3, Ecc, and S/4Hana (FI/CO) consulting, with a strong focus on analysis, design, configuration, testing, and support during all phases of system implementation.

His leadership abilities, executive-level management skills, and a proven track record of optimizing costs and developing high-performing teams are a great fit for the MLS program.

"My goal in pursuing this program is to deepen my understanding of the legal and technological aspects of cybersecurity and information privacy, which are increasingly critical in today's digital landscape. By gaining this knowledge, I aim to enhance my ability to provide comprehensive solutions that address both technical and legal challenges in the implementation and management of SAP systems. This program will equip me with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of digital commerce and ensure compliance with evolving regulations," Cooper said.

Focusing on Corporate Compliance

Aisha Moore is vice president of operations for Digestive and Liver Centers of Florida and GI Urgent Care of Florida. The award-winning health care management professional has extensive experience in self-directed roles requiring practical managerial, sales, and administrative support. Her proficiency in analyzing healthcare sales data to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement in sales performance to provide insights that will inform strategic decision-making and drive revenue growth.

"I chose the MLS program [healthcare track] at the University of Miami because I wanted a program that could equip me with practical legal knowledge and skills directly applicable to my career goals in corporate compliance and risk management," Moore said. "What I appreciate most about the program is how immediately relevant the lessons are—I often find myself applying what I’ve learned to my job within the same week. It’s been an invaluable experience for my professional growth."

Associate Dean Beth L. Haas developed the program and is not surprised that students laud its rigor and practicality.  “The goal of the online MLS program, from the outset, was for our students to use at the office tomorrow what they are learning in our online classrooms today.  I’m thrilled that students agree we are delivering on that promise.”    

Read more about Miami Law’s Master of Legal Studies.




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