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Help Businesses Adhere to Laws, Regulations, and Industry Standards

Businesses and financial institutions must adapt to changing laws and regulations. In the online Master of Science (M.S.) in Financial Compliance and Risk Management program at Albany Law School, students acquire the tools and strategies to stay at the top of their field and a step ahead of the rest.

Designed for industry professionals without a law degree, the online master’s in risk management and financial compliance program allows students the flexibility to maintain a work, life, and school balance. We help our students advance their careers while continuing to work by offering courses 100% online asynchronously, including practical assignments that mirror real-world situations.

Albany Law empowers students to go beyond what they thought possible—to set goals, overcome challenges, and achieve success. Ultimately, they become experts in a constantly changing industry. They lead in their field because they’ve honed the skills and gained the knowledge needed to truly thrive.

Why Earn an Online Master’s in Financial Compliance and Risk Management Through Albany Law?

Your motivation and dedication can take you far—Albany Law School can help you go farther. When you choose us, you choose a top-notch education at a law school committed to nurturing your professional success. An Albany Law master’s degree means:

Specialized Coursework on Your Schedule

You learn online, but not alone. Your peers bring their varied experiences and perspectives into the conversation—whether they are lawyers, entrepreneurs, financial analysts, or professionals in other fields. You can select highly specialized online financial compliance and risk management courses that best align with your career needs and goals, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your graduate studies into your life.

A Focus on Affordability

Move the needle on your career at a price point that reflects both quality and affordability. The online master’s in financial compliance and risk management program is competitively priced. We offer generous scholarships of up to $360 per credit to 100% of enrolled M.S. students. Together, these factors make Albany Law School stand out as a top graduate school option if you seek a program that balances academic rigor while providing financial support.

Expert Faculty Insights

At Albany Law School, your education is personal. Our faculty are practitioners who invest in your success and support you through courses rooted in the industry’s current trends and best practices. Leaders with real-world knowledge, our faculty members include compliance industry professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise. They come from a variety of sectors, including banking, insurance, wealth management, financial technology, energy, corporate governance, and more.

    Program Details

    Our standard of excellence is evident in everything we do. From how our faculty engages with students to our emphasis on specialized coursework aligned with current best practices, Albany Law provides the comprehensive education needed to advance in the industry. We are the oldest independent law school in the country, and we are institutionally accredited by the American Bar Association and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

    Rooted in real-world applications, the curriculum for the online master’s in risk management and financial compliance program deepens students’ knowledge and understanding of fundamental substantive and procedural law across the financial services industry.

    Over the 30-credit curriculum, students learn effective legal communication skills, both written and oral; discipline-specific research, analysis, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities applicable to their careers; and how to exercise proper professional and ethical responsibilities with clients and organizational leaders.

    Courses are seven weeks long and cover:

    • The Compliance Officer: Risk Management & Compliance Obligations 
    • The Compliance Officer: Advanced Issues Impacting International Organizations 
    • Technology & Financial Markets: FinTech & Big Data Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies & the Law 
    • Financial Crimes 
    • Securities Fraud, Financial Crimes, and Internal Investigations 
    • Compliance in the Retail Customer Relationship 
    • Introduction to Financial Institutions, Products, Professionals & Associated Regulatory Structure 
    • Introduction to Banking Regulation 
    • Introduction to Broker-Dealer Regulation 
    • Introduction to Investment Advisor Regulation 
    • Introduction to the Insurance Regulation

    Elective courses may be taken from other disciplines, such as:

    • Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
    • Health Law and Healthcare Compliance
    • Human Resources: Law, Leadership, and Policy

    Our staff can assist you with everything from degree planning to technical support. You can access services including the Career and Professional Development Center, Wellness and Counseling Services, and the Law Library. Explore our services:

    The School’s Board of Trustees sets tuition rates annually. The M.S. in Financial Compliance and Risk Assessment tuition rate is $1,738 per credit for the 2026-27 school year.

    We recognize that a graduate degree is an investment. That’s why we invest in you through our scholarship of up to $360 per credit, which is automatically granted when you enroll. The $360 per credit scholarship results in a significant reduction in tuition, amounting to $10,800 in savings over the course of the program.

    Learn more about tuition or contact Graduate Admissions via email or phone at (518) 445-2365.

    For admission to the Master of Science in Financial Compliance and Risk Management online degree program, students must possess a bachelor’s degree.

    A complete application includes the following materials:

    • Electronic application
    • Resume
    • Statement of Interest answering the following:
      • Why have you chosen Albany Law School and this particular program of study?
      • How will your selected program of study advance your career objectives?
      • How will your contributions as a student enhance the overall learning community?
    • One letter of recommendation (maximum of four) from faculty, supervisor, or client who can address the applicant's academic and intellectual abilities.
    • Transcripts from all colleges, professional or technical, applicant has attended.

    Learn more about admissions requirements and how to apply.

    What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Financial Compliance and Risk Management?

    As our industry grows, regulatory and policy-minded professionals are in high demand. The financial services sector amounts to 20% of the U.S. GDP and will only continue to expand. Take the blockchain market as an example: over the next five years alone, the blockchain market is projected to increase by nearly 70%, according to Markets and Markets.

    Graduates of our program lead long-lasting careers in roles such as:

    • Banking Regulator
    • CIO at financial services firms
    • Compliance Officer
    • COO
    • Financial Services Manager

    Job Overview: Compliance Officer Manager

    Median Salary: $75,670
    Job Growth: 5% by 2033
    Years of Work Experience Required: None
    Entry-Level Education Required: Bachelor’s, master’s preferred

    Job Overview: Financial Examiner

    Median Salary: $84,300
    Job Growth: 21% by 2033
    Years of Work Experience Required: N/A
    Entry-Level Education Required: Bachelor’s, master’s preferred

    Job Overview: Financial Risk Specialist

    Median Salary: $106,090
    Job Growth: N/A
    Years of Work Experience Required: N/A
    Entry-Level Education Required: Master’s

    “I wanted to see the big picture and understand the legal frameworks of the financial industry which govern financial processes. After being in the industry for some time I wanted to get a specialized degree to gain insights into how the laws effectuate the processes in order to gain a holistic view of how the industry operates. This led me to Albany Law School.” 

    Alison Brown-Royer, Online Master’s in Financial Compliance and Risk Management

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    Level Up Your Career With a Financial Compliance and Risk Management Master’s Degree From Albany Law

    Designed to help you advance your career, the Master of Science in Financial Compliance and Risk Management online program equips you with the knowledge and confidence to reach your goals. Start your application today or contact us to learn more.

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    Accreditation

    Albany Law School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the American Bar Association (which accredits only J.D. programs).

    Contact Us

    Albany Law Graduate Admissions
    graduateadmissions@albanylaw.edu
    518-445-2365

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