Empire College will in the fall offer a new Master of Legal Studies program, a two-year, 36-unit course that can also be used to begin work on the juris doctorate degree.

The program includes core classes from the J.D. program as well as electives in various areas that school officials say are applicable to banking, finance, insurance, education, law enforcement, human resources, sales and marketing and others. The degree also includes core classes such as contracts, torts and crime.

“This degree gives students a competitive edge in the marketplace by helping them gain and educated appreciation for the intricacies surrounding the intersection of law, public policy and other professions,” Empire law dean William Robertson said in a statement announcing the new degree.

To qualify for the program must have earned a bachelor’s degree and have letters of recommendation.

An informational seminar will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 23 on the campus, 3035 Cleveland Ave. For more information or to RSVP, call 546-4000 or go to www.empcol.edu/school-of-law.