Many universities offer some version of a media law degree within the mass communications program. For example, Penn State offers a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies with a choice of five concentrations, one being the "media law and policy" option. Other universities offer degrees in mass communication and journalism, both of which include categories of media law such as defamation, prior restraint and intellectual property law.
Many universities offer graduate programs for students who wish to continue their studies after receiving an undergraduate degree. Most university graduate programs are also under the umbrella of mass communications. The University of Florida, for example, offers a Master of Arts in Mass Communication through its College of Journalism and Communications. The student can choose from eight categories of specialization, including Mass Communication Law. This program covers such topics as First Amendment theory, constitutional law and telecommunication regulation.
Attaining a Ph.D. degree is another option in continuing education. A Ph.D. program, based mostly on developing the students' research methods and skills, can prepare graduates for an array of potential employment in the media law field. The program readies students to conduct research for organizations in print media and the know-how to contribute to government policy. Students should keep in mind that though they can take courses in specialized areas such as media law, the Ph.D. degree is designed primarily to be a research degree.
To work in media law as a practicing attorney, one must obtain a professional law degree through an accredited law school. Law schools do not offer media law degrees, per se. Course requirements for the first year of study focus on the basic concepts of the law, and then the second and third year the student can select from a much broader set of courses tailored to their individual interests. Upon completion, all graduates will receive the same degree, called the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
A postgraduate law degree, the Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) allows professionals to further their education in specialized fields of law. Though not required, the LL.M. degree indicates to employers advanced legal training, which can give an applicant an extra edge, especially in the competitive field of media law. All LL.M. applicants must have completed a J.D. degree and passed the bar exam. Not all law schools offer LL.M. programs. Variations on LL.M. programs include: entertainment and media law, intellectual property law and international intellectual property law.