Newswise — Recognizing the growing complexity of regulations governing today’s human resources field, Tulane University Law School is launching an online Master of Jurisprudence in Labor and Employment Law.

The new degree program, scheduled to start in May 2016, meets a need for high-quality legal education in employment law while giving students the flexibility to study from anywhere around the globe.

The program will be led by Joel Friedman, a 40-year Tulane Law faculty veteran and a leading authority on employment and labor law.

“This program will equip non-lawyers with the tools to understand and act upon current and future employment law,” Friedman said.

The degree is designed to help human resources and human capital professionals as well as other workforce leaders further their careers in the employment field.The program offers a 25-credit-hour master’s degree and can be completed in less than two years, entirely online. Tuition will be $32,000, with all coursework developed and taught by Tulane faculty.

Students can complete readings and listen to recorded lectures at a pace convenient to their schedules, while live virtual online classroom sessions will allow for regular interaction and discussion. While Tulane faculty design and teach all courses, the instruction will be delivered using an online platform managed by Colloquy, a division of Kaplan, Inc., to ensure reliable and sophisticated content delivery.

“Organization leaders and human resource professionals now require basic understanding in the legal architecture that frames every decision to hire, train, promote, or discipline an employee,” said Tulane Law Dean David Meyer. “This program will provide that understanding in a format that enables professionals at all career stages to benefit.”

The program is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which is expected by January 2016.