Financial Services Compliance Certificate Boston University School of Law

The Certificate in Financial Services Compliance provides the opportunity for lawyers and non-lawyers to take financial institution law courses offered by the School of Law’s Graduate Program in Banking & Financial Law, the oldest banking LLM program in the country. The 12-credit certificate program is taken online and can be completed in two to four consecutive semesters. The program is open for enrollment in the fall and spring semesters for part-time students. Eight credits, consisting of new courses developed specifically for the certificate program, deal with the history, structure, characteristics, and components of financial institution compliance. The remaining 4 credits may be selected from qualifying courses in the LLM in Banking & Financial Law program curriculum: Banking Structure and Regulation, Pooled Funds and Investor Protection, Governance, Risk Management & Compliance Programs, and Consumer Financial Services.

Upon completion of the certificate:

• Students will be able to identify and describe the structural components, operational elements, and analytical framework for a compliance function of a major financial institution.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework for US financial institutions and the regulatory expectations for a robust compliance function at such institutions.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the necessary professional skills of a financial institution compliance officer, including analytical skills, project management, use of data, and risk sensitivity.

Program Requirements

The Certificate in Financial Services Compliance is open to lawyers and non-lawyers who are eager to learn and join one of the fastest-growing careers in the financial services industry in compliance. The curriculum is specifically tailored to individuals looking to become leading compliance officers. Course credits can be used to provide advanced standing into the LLM in Banking & Financial Law program upon certificate completion, provided a student gains admission to the LLM program.

How to apply

Our admissions process is designed to be as personal as our programs, and we are one of the only programs to interview candidates. From the moment you apply, we will be in constant contact with you about your application, including providing an online application status checker, so that you know exactly where you are in the admissions process. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or if you require assistance with the application process.

Application Checklist

We aim to provide a simple, straightforward process for applying to our graduate programs. Just follow the steps outlined below to prepare your application. Make sure to note important dates and deadlines in order to stay on track throughout the process.

• Step #1: Register with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) and complete the LLM and Other Law Programs application for BU Law so you can take advantage of LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Note that BU Law uses one application for all graduate and certificate programs; you will indicate the program to which you are applying on question #1. If you wish to apply to more than one program, please contact us. All applications to our graduate programs must be submitted through LSAC. If you experience technical difficulties in using LSAC’s online application service, please contact LSAC’s customer support team.
• Step #2: Submit your transcripts through LSAC’s CAS.
• Step #3: Send at least two letters of recommendation through the CAS.
• Step #4: Prepare your additional documents, including a personal statement and current résumé or curriculum vitae.
• Step #5: Deliver proof of English language proficiency. (Proof of English language proficiency is not required if: (i) your native language is English; or (ii) you received your undergraduate or first law degree in a country where the language of instruction and only official language are English.)
• Step #6: If you are applying to pursue the Master in the Study of Tax Law, you may need to submit a standardized test score. Applicants who have not previously completed a master’s degree program, who have not passed the CPA exam, and who have less than 3 years of related work experience are required to submit scores from one of the following tests: the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
• Step #7: Pay an $85 nonrefundable application fee.

Once you submit a completed application and the admissions committee has confirmed that you meet the eligibility requirements, you will be invited to interview with a program representative. Interviews are conducted by phone, via video conference, or if practical, in person. We view the interview as an important part of the evaluation process and remain one of the only law schools to offer interviews for applicants to our graduate programs.