Master of Science in Legal Studies: Retirement, Disability, and Social Benefits Law

Master of Science in

Legal Studies: Retirement, Disability, and Social Benefits Law

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Hybrid format

Weekly live classes

25 SEATS

NEXT CLASS

November 2, 2026

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Why WALN University

Discover a new approach to higher education, combining the strengths of traditional learning, the flexibility of hybrid access, and an in-person campus experience in Orlando, FL, all at an affordable cost.

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Licensed in the USA by the Florida
Department of Education.
Partnerships with renowned entities.
Enjoy 30 days with no financial risk for those approved through our application process.

Quality

Every professor holds a PhD and will connect with you personally during live classes. Yes, they’ll know your name.
Connect with your professors in weekly live classes, intentionally limited to 30 students for meaningful interaction.
Participate in on-campus activities in Orlando, FL.
Customize your research across multiple academic areas.
Experience our proprietary teaching method.
Explore abundant opportunities for research, publication, and teaching internships.

Accessibility

Study from anywhere with internet access.
Enjoy highly flexible schedules tailored to your lifestyle.
Affordable tuition designed to fit your budget.
Earn an American degree from the comfort of your home, wherever you are in the world.
Choose to study in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

1. Trust

Licensing in the USA (Florida)

The master’s in legal studies can be completed in a hybrid format with in-person sessions in Orlando, FL. Upon graduation, students earn a U.S. master’s degree: Master of Science in Legal Studies, awarded by Washington & Lincoln University, which is licensed in the United States by the Florida Department of Education (License #CIE-4001).

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Words of the program coordinator

Retirement, disabilities, and social benefits laws are undergoing a period of intense regulatory and judicial reconfiguration. Recent legal reforms, transition rules still being consolidated, growing case law from the higher courts on central issues within the social security regimes, and transformations in the operations of the pension funds administration and other administering bodies, all impose on the legal community a challenge of a fundamentally academic nature: understanding, with rigor and depth, a regulatory system in constant motion.

It is within this context that this Master’s Program is situated. It is designed for lawyers, government employees, public administrators, and other justice-system professionals interested in investigating retirement, disabilities, and social benefits laws from their constitutional, dogmatic, and theoretical foundations, rather than solely its immediate application. The curriculum covers the foundations of social security, pension reforms and their systemic effects, critical analysis of higher-court case law, the structure of the General Regime and the Own Regimes (public-sector pension systems), and in-depth study of constitutional interpretation and comparative social security policy.

The purpose of this Master’s Program is to train researchers and professionals capable of producing original academic works on retirement, disabilities, and social benefits laws, contributing both to the advancement of legal doctrine and to the improvement of institutional practices related to social protection. It is a space for critical reflection, methodological rigor, and commitment to building a Social Security Law that is more coherent, more just, and more closely aligned with its constitutional function.

Professor Roberto de Carvalho Santos, PhD
Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Retirement, Disability, and Social Benefits Law
Resume

Campus in Orlando

Washington & Lincoln University is proudly based in Orlando, Florida, and undergoes annual in-person inspections by the Florida Department of Education.

Our offices are located at the Royal Business Center at 2121 S Hiawassee Rd, Suite 120, Orlando, FL 32835, featuring dedicated spaces including offices, an auditorium, conference rooms, lounge, kitchen, and restrooms. Students benefit from both technical and administrative support on-site.

In-person academic activities are held either at our headquarters or within Orlando’s hotel network, depending on the number of attendees.

Are you in Orlando? Schedule a visit. We’d love to meet you in person!

30 days risk-free financially for those approved in the application process

We want you to have peace of mind when trying whether WALN University is the right institution for what you are looking for.

At the Washington & Lincoln University, students approved into the application process have the first month of classes to get to know the program and the institution. If the student decides to cancel their enrollment during the first month of classes, they just need to send a request by email within the deadline and WALN University will refund all amounts paid for the enrollment.

PhD Professors Who Know You Personally

At WALN University, your professors know your name. They’ll talk with you, grade your assignments, and engage with you in classes of just 30 students. Our faculty aren’t distant celebrities recording online lectures for thousands of anonymous viewers. They’re dedicated educators who are present, accessible, and invested in your success.

We don’t rely on hidden tutors. Every professor at WALN holds a doctorate degree and brings extensive professional experience to the classroom.

Roberto de Carvalho Santos, PhD.

Lawyer specializing in Social Security Law and Postgraduate Professor in the field. President of the Institute of Social Security Studies (IEPREV) and President of the Social Security Law Commission – Supplementary Pension Regime of the OAB/MG. Member of Social Security Law commissions at the OAB/SP, OAB/MG, and the OAB Federal Council (2023-2024 term). Founding partner of Roberto de Carvalho Santos Advogados Associados since 2002. Holds a law degree, Master’s, and Doctorate from UFMG, along with postgraduate credentials in Social Security Law and Public-Sector Pension Systems.
Resume.

Heloisa Helena Silva Pancotti, PhD.

Holds a law degree from Centro Universitário Toledo (1997). Holds a specialization in Procedural Law from the same institution. Served on the OAB-Mulher (Women’s Committee) of the 68th Subsection of the Bar Association in Birigui, SP. Independent/self-employed attorney. Holds a Master’s in Law from UNIVEM in Marília, under the supervision of Professor Dr. Ricardo Pinha Alonso. Holds a Doctorate in Legal Sciences from the State University of Northern Paraná (UENP), under the supervision of Professor Dr. Renato Bernardi, with funding provided by Fundação Araucária/CAPES.
Resume.

Marco Aurélio Serau Junior, PhD.

Professor at UFPR, teaching Labor and Social Security Law at both undergraduate and Master’s levels; former Vice-Head of the Private Law Department (2021-2023). Holds a PhD and Master’s in Human Rights from USP, plus specializations in Human Rights and Constitutional Law. Law degree from PUC/SP (1999). Former Judicial Analyst at the 3rd Regional Federal Court (TRF-3). Author and coordinator of numerous legal publications in Brazil and abroad. Research focuses on Social Security, fundamental rights, and case law analysis; currently examining Brazil’s Labor and Pension Reforms.
Resume.

Luiz Gustavo Boiam Pancotti, PhD.

Postdoctoral degree in Law from the State University of Northern Paraná (UENP); Doctorate in Law from PUC/SP, in the sub-field of Social Security Law; Master’s in Law from UNIMES-Santos/SP; Specialization in Civil Procedural Law from PUC/SP; Law degree from Centro Universitário Toledo de Araçatuba – Unitoledo. Adjunct Professor of Social Security Law in the Law program at the State University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS) – University Unit of Paranaíba/SP. Contributor to the study group “(Re)thinking the role of jurists in upholding the 1964 military dictatorship and authoritarian discourses in a time of democracy.”
Resume.

Forrest Royce Hansen, PhD.

Forrest R. Hansen is a shareholder at the law firm Kirton McConkie. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Political Science and French from Brigham Young University and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law, where he served on the senior editorial board of the American University Law Review. He is currently a professor of comparative constitutional law at Université Paris Cité (Faculty of Law, Sorbonne Alliance), where he teaches constitutional structure, fundamental rights, federalism, and comparative constitutional systems. He also advises foreign governments on constitutional drafting and reform and delivers constitutional training programs for the judiciary in a number of countries. Native in English and fluent in French and Spanish, he is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
Resume.

Douglas Castro, PhD.

Head attorney of the environmental and regulatory practice at CLA Advogados; more than 20 years of legal experience; visiting professor at the Lanzhou University School of Law (Lanzhou, Gansu, China); post-doctorate from the São Paulo Law School of Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV); PhD in Political Science from the University of São Paulo (USP); master’s in International Law from USP; master’s in Law from Brigham Young University (USA); Visiting Scholar at the Foundation for International Law & Affairs in Washington, D.C.; head of the center for advanced studies in international law and politics at Washington & Lincoln University.
Resume.

Marcelo Godke Veiga, PhD.

Partner at Godke Law. Doctoral candidate at Tilburg University (Netherlands). PhD in Law from the University of São Paulo (USP). LLM, Leiden University (Netherlands). LLM, Columbia University (USA). Specialist in Contract Law from CEU Law School. Bachelor’s in Law from Universidade Católica de Santos.
Resume.

Martín Jesús Urrea Salazar, PhD.

Practicing lawyer since December 2010, specializing in administrative law, civil law, and gender-based violence. Professor. PhD in Law, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences), January 12, 2015 (summa cum laude). Diploma of Advanced Studies in Law, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences), June 2004. Doctoral program in “New Methodological and Thematic Perspectives in Public and Private International Law,” Universidad Complutense de Madrid (1994–1996).
Resume.

Fernando Meneguin, PhD.

Legislative Consultant to the Brazilian Federal Senate, partner at Pakt Consultoria e Assessoria, and attorney; more than 20 years of experience in legislative consulting, with a focus on law and economics, public policy evaluation, and legislative drafting (legística); post-doctorate in Law and Economics from the University of California, Berkeley (USA); post-doctorate in Political Science from UFMG; PhD in Economics from the University of Brasília (UnB); master’s in Public Sector Economics from UnB.
Resume.

Daniel Brantes, PhD.

Attorney, consultant, and arbitrator. Founding partner of DBF Law Advogados; more than 15 years of experience in legal practice, legal education, and arbitration; Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and Regional Chair for Brazil of the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA); editor-in-chief of the Revista Brasileira de Alternative Dispute Resolution; visiting researcher at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law; post-doctorate in Law from the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ); PhD, master’s, and bachelor’s in Law from PUC-Rio.
Resume.

Leonardo Bacher Medeiros, PhD.

Professor in the doctoral programs in Law and in Business Administration at Washington & Lincoln University, United States. Member of the Center for Studies in Politics, State and Capitalism in Latin America (NEPEC-UFRGS/CNPq), where he researches topics related to the state and to Latin American society. Member of the Network for Critical Studies of the Latin American State (RECEL), based at the Institute of Social Sciences of the Universidad Nacional de Villa María, Argentina. Post-doctorate from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), affiliated with its School of Management. PhD in Political Science from UFRGS. Master’s in Constitutional Law from the Universidad de Sevilla. Bachelor’s in Legal and Social Sciences from Centro Universitário Ritter dos Reis.
Resume.

Tiago Odon, PhD.

Legislative Consultant to the Brazilian Federal Senate and attorney; more than 18 years of experience in legislative and legal consulting, including service as a consultant to major parliamentary commissions of inquiry in the Federal Senate; PhD in Sociology from the University of Brasília (UnB); master’s in Law and Public Policy from the University Center of Brasília (UniCEUB); bachelor’s in Law from UniCEUB and bachelor’s in International Relations from UnB.
Resume.

Direct interaction with professors

Enough of mass distance learning with recorded classes and poorly qualified tutors who you don’t know who they are at the time of enrollment.

At Washington & Lincoln University, you will be closely guided only by professors with doctorates and extensive professional experience.

Attention: you will only take the next step in your career if you receive feedback from teachers who know more than you in their areas of expertise.

Curriculum

The program consists of 10 curricular components, each worth 4.5 credits, totaling 45 credits. The recommended completion time is two and a half years.

Science and Research

Legal metaknowledge

Retirement, Disability, and Social Benefits Law Courses

Innovative teaching, live & in-person in Orlando

Annual in-person activities in Orlando, FL.
Weekly live classes in groups of 30 students.
You will interact directly with WALN University professors to the point where they will know you by name.
These same PhD professors will grade your academic work.
Only professors with a doctorate and extensive professional experience. No surprises with unknown tutors.

Quality

Our commitment to your sucess

100 hours of in-person activities in Orlando

450 hours of
live classes

120 live encounters
with deep discussions

Opportunity to write between 1 and 3
chapters of a book authored by you.

10 oral debates or
presentations.

1 master's
thesis.

Prepared and dedicated
faculty.

American
Master's Degree.

On-campus activities in Orlando

Students participate in two one-week in-person sessions in Orlando, FL, designed to reinforce learning and provide an enriching international experience.

3. Accessible

A master's degree that fits your routine

Accessibility

Affordable investment

Washington & Lincoln University offers affordable tuition fees compared to other master’s programs of excellence that provide supervision by quality professors, live classes in groups of 30 students, and the production of a master’s thesis.

And remember, WALN University offers 30 days without financial risk for those approved in the application process! If you withdraw during the first month, WALN will refund the admission fees.

Click on the “I’m interested” button below to contact us about next class prices, installments, and financing opportunities.

Next class

Activities in Orlando, FL, included

Investment (2 on campus events included)

30x of $677.00 US dollars*

* WALN University provides fixed exchange rate arrangements for qualifying international students.
NOTE: Tuition fees do not include travel, accommodation, or food expenses.

Investment (on campus events hired separately)

30x of $537.00 US Dollars*

* WALN University provides fixed exchange rate arrangements for qualifying international students.

Activities in Orlando, FL, separately

Scholarships

WALN University offers up to three scholarships per class of up to 20% for applicants in need of financial assistance. Scholarship requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and are processed in the order received until available funding is exhausted. For more information, please contact us.

How to enroll

Contact the admissions team to find out how to register for the application process, to receive the rules for the next application process and to find out more details about dates and payment options.

01 Application

Fill out the application form and participate in the selection process.

02 risk-free trial

If you are approved in the application process, you can enjoy a full month of regular classes. If you cancel your enrollment within the first month, we will refund the application fee and tuition.

03 Excellence

Earn a high-quality master’s degree through a flexible hybrid format, designed to fit your schedule and pace.

Frequently Asked Questions?

What degree is awarded to those who complete the Master of Science in Legal Studies?

Graduates of the program earn the American degree of Master of Science in Legal Studies awarded by Washington & Lincoln University.

After completing this program, can I sit for the Bar Exam or practice law in Florida or any other US state?

No, this program does NOT grant a Juris Doctor.

How do I get in touch about this program?

Click any “I’m interested” button on this page and complete the form. Alternatively, you may contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or email using the contact details provided in the footer of this page.

In what language is the program taught?

WALN offers courses in multiple languages: entirely in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, or in mixed formats where assessments can be completed in either language.

What level of English proficiency is required?

You must be able to understand texts in English. Throughout the program, you will be required to read materials in English, and you should find a direct or indirect way to comprehend written content in the language.

Although optional, you should be able to communicate in English if you wish to actively participate in live classes conducted in English by American professors.

Which program qualifies applicants for admission to the master's program?

Applicants for the master’s program must possess a bachelor’s degree.

My bachelor's degree is not from the U.S. Do I need to undergo an equivalency evaluation?

If your bachelor’s degree was issued in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, or England, an equivalency evaluation is generally not required by most academic institutions (subject to WALNU’s review of your documentation). For degrees from other countries, you must obtain a credential equivalency report for a U.S. bachelor’s degree from any of the following agencies: International Evaluation Services (https://iesedu.org/), World Education Services (https://www.wes.org/), or Josef Silny and Associates (https://jsilny.org/). To do so, you should contact the selected agency directly to inquire about the procedures and fees for evaluating your documentation.

Can I transfer credits from other institutions into this program?

No. WALN University does not accept credit transfers for this program.

Can I transfer credits from this program to another institution?

No. Although credit acceptance is determined by the receiving institution, students in this program should not expect to begin their studies at Washington & Lincoln University with the intention of completing them at another institution.

How many hours do I need to dedicate to studying?

The average time commitment required is 15 hours per week over the course of 40 weeks per year.

What is the delivery format of the program?

The program can be completed in a hybrid format with in-person sessions in Orlando, FL.

Is the online part of the program simply watching recorded lectures and taking automated exams?

No. The online part of the program is delivered using a proprietary teaching method based on live classes with up to 30 students per session. Each student receives individualized support from a highly qualified professor through a coaching-style approach. This method incorporates formative assessment and deliberate practice to help students achieve the specific goals of each course, as well as the broader objectives of their chosen program.

Is a master's thesis required in the program?

Yes. The production of a master’s thesis is a required component for completing the program, along with other academic requirements. The thesis must undergo a qualification process and be defended publicly before a final evaluation committee. Each master’s candidate receives individualized guidance from an advisor throughout the thesis writing process.

Will I have the opportunity to publish articles with professors during the master's program?

Yes.
All students have the opportunity to write and publish articles in collaboration with faculty throughout the master’s program.

Is it necessary to choose an advisor before enrolling?

No. Applicants are not required to contact faculty during the admissions process. Selection is carried out by a designated committee, and each student will have a specific point during the program to meet and choose their advisor.

I know one of the WALN University's professors, will that give me any advantage in the admissions process?

No, knowing or having previously studied with one of the professors does not give you any advantage in the admissions process. Selection is based on the information and insights gathered throughout the admissions process by a designated committee, not by the faculty as a whole.

What documents will I need to submit for admission?

You will need to submit scanned copies of the following documents:

– Official photo identification document (e.g., passport, national ID, or driver’s license).
– Front and back of your bachelor’s degree diploma.
– Official academic transcript from your bachelor’s program (with the issuing institution’s signature and/or stamp).
– Proof of address.
– Resume (PDF or MS Word).
– Admission Essay – template provided by WALN University.

*Scanned documents must be clear, with all text legible, high resolution (at least 150dpi), with proper contrast and brightness, no blurring, and with full margins and edges visible.

What is the admission essay?

It is a document to be written by the applicant and evaluated as part of the admissions process. The admission essay must follow specific guidelines and address questions that connect the applicant’s educational background, professional experience, and future projects with the pursuit of the degree at Washington & Lincoln University. Once registered, the applicant will receive instructions on how to submit the document after paying the application fee.

Can I temporarily withdraw from the program?

Yes. As long as you have successfully completed at least one course, you may request a temporary withdrawal. The maximum duration allowed for this withdrawal is up to 9 consecutive months.

What is the maximum time allowed to complete the program?

The maximum time allowed to complete the program is 3.5 years from the date of enrollment, including any interruptions or temporary withdrawals.

How are payments made?

Payments can be made using a U.S.-issued credit card, an internationally enabled credit card, or by sending funds to the United States. The university offers some local payment solutions for international students.

Does WALNU offer any discounts, scholarships, or financing options?

We offer research and teaching scholarship opportunities for those who meet the eligibility criteria. Please contact us for more information.

Does WALNU offer courses to non-degree-seeking students?

Yes, we offer the option to enroll as a non-degree-seeking student in select individual courses.

Since part of the program can be conducted in Spanish or Portuguese, does that mean it is a Spanish, Portuguese, or Brazilian program or institution?

No. Studying in languages other than English such as Spanish or Portuguese is simply an option, and it does not mean the program or institution is Spanish, Portuguese, or Brazilian.

Washington & Lincoln University is an American institution based in Orlando, Florida, and is licensed by the Florida Department of Education (FL-DOE) under registration CIE#4001.

Who licenses and oversees WALN University?

Washington & Lincoln University is headquartered exclusively in Orlando, Florida (USA), and is licensed by the Florida Department of Education (FL-DOE) under registration number CIE-4001.

What is the official publication licensing act of Washington & Lincoln University at the FL-DOE (Florida Department of Education)?

Licensing for degree-granting postsecondary private institutions based in Florida is issued by the Commission for Independent Education, a division of the Florida Department of Education. Washington & Lincoln University’s license number is CIE-4001 with the FL-DOE.

On which FL-DOE website can I find the list of programs approved offered by Washington & Lincoln University?

The Florida Department of Education (FL-DOE) provides the following link to view the list of approved programs offered by Washington & Lincoln University: https://web02.fldoe.org/CIE/SearchSchools/SchoolSearchDetail.aspx?schoolID=4001. Attention: that website is usually blocked for IP addresses outside of the US. If you are located outside of the USA, you may need to use a VPN to access that website using a USA IP address.

Is WALN University accredited?

No. Washington & Lincoln University has not yet applied for accreditation.

Is accreditation required to operate and grant American degrees?

No. Accreditation in the United States is optional and carried out by independent private associations. Licensing, which is conducted by the government, is the only legal requirement for issuing American degrees.

What is the importance of accreditation?

Accreditation is a voluntary but very important step for a university. It serves as a quality assurance process conducted by an external, independent, non-governmental association composed of other educational institutions. Accreditation enhances the institution’s prestige within the United States, facilitates credit transfer and degree recognition among schools accredited by the same association, and enables access to U.S. federal student financial aid programs (Title IV).