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Master of Legal Studies Programs: A Guide to Your Options and Career Paths

Published on: Dec 30, 2024

WRITTEN BY

Susan Buckner, J.D.
Ryan Duffy

REVIEWED BY

Ryan P. Duffy, Esq.

Introduction Why Pursue a Master of Legal Studies?

A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree is an alternative to law school. It’s a good option for legal professionals who want a career in law without investing time and finances in formal law school. The MLS gives you everything that a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree will, except the ability to take the bar exam and practice law. These courses give students a solid grounding in legal concepts and important legal principles necessary for their career in law.

If you have not considered a Master of Legal Studies before, the programs listed here are just some of the available options. Explore the colleges and universities mentioned here and do your research on admissions and financial aid requirements.

What is a Master of Legal Studies?

An MLS is a one-year post-graduate degree that offers you additional education in legal writing, research, and legal issues. An MLS typically consists of 30 to 45 credit hours ans a capstone project to complete the course. MLS students may be recent bachelor’s degree recipients or professionals seeking career advancement in their field.

The MLS is intended for those who do not plan to get a law degree and become attorneys; students should keep that in mind when planning their career goals. The MLS is not a bar prep degree, and you will not be able to take the bar exam after you’ve completed your studies.

MLS graduates find their legal niche in healthcare, regulatory compliance, human resources, and similar law-adjacent fields. An understanding of law and legal training is increasingly important in these areas.

Who Should Pursue a Master of Legal Studies?

Any area where knowledge of the law and business collide is a thriving area for job-seekers with an MLS. Current growth fields include:

  • Cybersecurity:

    A field rich in state, federal, and international regulation, including those of the FTC, SEC, European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), and others.

  • Criminal Law:

    As states seek to reduce the burden on their prisons and jails, the need for educated probation officers, parole agents, and vocational training officers has increased. Court agencies need staff to handle paperwork and human resources.

  • Healthcare:

    Healthcare compliance is a growing industry. Insurance claims and legal departments need agents and analysts to interpret and review documents for HIPAA compliance and ensure patient privacy.

  • Risk Assessment:

    Understanding OSHA regulations, business needs, and financial requirements is a new area for MLS students to explore.

Other growing fields that benefit from a professional graduate degree include:

  • Business Law, Management, and Employment Law

  • Public Policy and Court Management

  • Environmental Law

  • Resource Management

  • Taxation

Courses and Specializations in Master of Legal Studies Programs

Law schools, private institutions, as well as state colleges and university systems all offer MLS programs with a range of specializations for almost every need. For instance, Texas A&M University’s School of Law has online, hybrid, and in-person MLS courses in nearly every imaginable practice area:

A typical program like Texas A&M can be completed in 12 to 24 months, although online programs are designed for working professionals who seek flexibility in their studies. It is possible to complete a degree one class at a time, although such a program may take several years to finish.

Elective Focus:

Most programs require students to take core courses in legal studies, for example:

  • Introduction to the Legal System
  • Ethics and Professional Standards
  • Legal Research and Analysis
  • Risk Assessment and Management

Then students can craft their program with electives in their chosen concentration, such as healthcare, compliance, or tax law. It is possible to narrow a course down even further within a specialization. For example, Liberty University’s MLS in Taxation has three tracks:

  • Corporate Tax:

    Focuses on corporate income tax, securities, civil and criminal tax penalties, and tax regulation.

  • International Tax:

    This is a highly specialized degree with courses in tax treaties, tariffs, tax policy, and international finance.

  • Federal Tax:

    Concentrates on bankruptcy law, estate taxes, and regulatory compliance in federal tax laws.

Top Master of Legal Studies Programs for 2025

Many of these programs are offered online or in a hybrid learning environment. Most feature full-time and part-time options. Contact each school for full details on course offerings and financial aid information.

American University

The MLS program offers a 30-unit online course. It can be taken full-time or part-time and provides in-person immersion classes for those who want to enjoy the university’s Washington D.C. campus as well as tour the Supreme Court building. The course features basic foundational courses in legal writing, legal research, and fundamental law courses such as criminal law, health care law, and cyber law. American has additional course specializations in:

In addition, American University has a healthcare compliance certification program that lets students in the healthcare specialization take exams with the Compliance Certification Board in healthcare compliance.

Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law:

The university offers a 45-unit online Master of Legal Studies. The course begins with 25 units of introductory courses in legal research, risk analysis, and legal writing. Students will then take 20 units in advanced courses to complement their career goals. Drexel’s MLS concentrations include:

Drexel’s MLS program can be taken entirely online or as a hybrid program.

Fordham University:

This 30-unit online Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) can be completed in as few as 12 months. Core classes include U.S. Law and Legal Institutions, Introduction to Corporate Compliance, and Compliance Risk Assessment. 

Fordham’s Corporate Compliance specialization prepares professionals in the compliance field to assist their company with regulatory changes and legal challenges. Fordham offers specializations in:

  • Financial Services

  • Health Care

  • Human Resources

  • General Compliance

Liberty University:

The Liberty University School of Law is a 100% online Juris Master of Legal Studies program broken into eight-week course segments. The J.M. degree, like an MLS, is not a law degree. It is designed for working professionals who need to assist their companies in a range of legal issues from regulatory compliance to criminal law. The core curriculum includes contracts, business law, economics, and criminal law.

Northeastern University:

The School of Law features two MLS tracks, a Bar Examination track and an International Business track. Students take 24 semester credits in legal curriculum including:

  • US Law & Legal System

  • Contracts

  • Torts

  • Constitutional Law

  • Civil Procedure

  • California Civil Responsibility

  • Criminal Law

  • Business Organizations

Northeastern also features specializations in:

  • Business Law

  • Health

  • Human Resources

  • Intellectual Property

  • Public Law and Property

Pepperdine University:

This MLS course can be completed within 24 months by students taking 4-6 term units. Full-time students can finish in 12 months, taking eight units per term. The core course curriculum includes: 

  • Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Systems

  • Legal Research and Writing 

  • Contracts 

  • Torts

Students will also take eight elective courses in any specialization. Concentration options are available in dispute resolution, human resources, or litigation.

Regent University:

Taught from a Christian perspective, Regent University’s MLS program is a 32-credit-hour course aimed at providing students with the legal knowledge needed to work in a government, nonprofit, or corporate environment. Core instruction features Foundations of Legal Thought, American Legal System & Writing, Legislation & Regulation, and Constitutional Law & Policy. 

Regent University has an extensive number of concentration options, including:

  • Advanced Paralegal Studies

  • Business Law

  • Constitutional Law

  • Criminal Law & the Justice System

  • Cybersecurity Law

  • Healthcare Law

  • Human Resources Law

  • Human Rights & Global Justice

  • Immigration Law

  • Legal Studies

  • National Security

  • Negotiation, Mediation, & Dispute Resolution

  • Nonprofit & Church Law

  • Regulatory Compliance

Seton Hall University:

The school of law’s MLS candidates complete 31 credit hours of coursework consisting of four foundation courses and six electives. The foundation classes include Introduction to Law and Legal Writing, Fundamentals of Business Law, Torts: Liability for Civil Wrongs, and Constitutional Law Survey.

Electives are chosen from a list of options depending on the student’s career goals. Students can take electives in family law, healthcare law, gaming, intellectual property, and other practice areas.

Seton Hall has MLS concentrations in:

  • Corporate Compliance

  • Health and Hospital Law

  • Gaming Regulation

  • Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Law

  • Privacy Law and Cybersecurity

  • Sports Law

Texas A&M:

The law school’s 30-credit-hour course is perfect for those who need expertise in legal issues but don’t intend to practice law. The courseload includes 12 credit hours of foundational law (Intro to the U.S. Legal System, Legal Analysis and Writing, Contract Law, Foundations of Business Law), and 18 credit hours of electives related to the student’s degree concentration.

Texas A&M’s Master of Legal Studies course has concentrations in:

  • Dispute Resolution 

  • General Legal Studies

  • Business Law & Compliance

  • Cybersecurity Law & Policy

  • Energy, Oil, & Gas Law

  • Energy & Environmental Law

  • Health Law, Policy & Management

  • Intellectual Property, Technology, & Innovation

  • International Tax Law & Policy

University of Miami:

The school of law offers students a 30-credit full master’s degree for those who need a grounding in legal knowledge but don’t want to practice law. The courseload features 12 credits of foundational law, and 18 units from the student’s concentration and other electives to round out a legal degree.

Core courses include:

  • Foundations in U.S. Law and Regulation 

  • Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis Skills

  • Corporate Compliance & Enterprise Risk Management

  • Master's Capstone

Students can focus their graduate studies track in:

  • General legal studies

  • Healthcare

  • Technology

  • Human Resources

  • Real estate

  • Finance

Washington University in St. Louis:

The university has a 24-credit, 18-month MLS program that students tailor to their own needs. Students complete two required courses — Intro to US Law & Methods and Legal Research & Writing — and one of three options: Contracts, Property, or Torts. After that, students pick from a roster of electives to craft their course of study based on their professional and academic goals.

The MLS program has concentration specializations in:

  • Business law 

  • Conflict resolution

  • Litigation

  • Regulatory compliance

  • Employment law

Webster University:

The MLS is a 39-credit-hour course for students who need a broad working knowledge of the law. The graduate program is ideal for teachers, government workers, legal assistants, and paralegals already working in the field. The courseload must include:

  • Introduction to Legal Studies

  • Jurisprudence

  • Ethics for the Legal Professional

  • Methods of Legal Research and Writing I & II

  • Anglo-American Legal History

  • American Constitutional Law

  • Civil Actions

  • Criminal Actions

  • Advanced Topics in Law

  • Computerized Legal Research

  • Research and Writing Project

Parallel graduate certificates in Paralegal Studies, Advanced Legal Writing, and Advanced Studies in Law are also available. Webster University is an ABA-accredited school.

William & Mary Law School:

The venerable law school has an MLS program of 32 credits, 16 in general law, 12 in the student’s concentration, and four in other electives. General law courses include:

  • Introduction to U.S. Law and the Legal System

  • Law, Ethics, and Responsible Leadership

  • Contract Law: Interpretation and Strategy

  • Business Associations and Organizational Management

  • Foundations of Regulatory Law: Antitrust, Privacy and Tax

Concentrations are available in Compliance and Risk Management or Finance.

Admission Requirements for a Master of Legal Studies Program

Each university and law school has its own admission requirements. These requirements are subject to change, so always check before submitting any application. In general, you can expect some variation of these basic requirements:

  • Proof of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

    Schools want official transcripts mailed or emailed from your undergraduate school.

  • A personal statement or writing sample

    Some programs may want a specific writing sample, such as Drexel’s “Problem of Practice” requirement.

  • Letters of recommendation, usually two or three

    Unless specifically requested, schools want professional references, not academic or personal references.

  • A resume or CV.

    If you have any publications or articles, mention those prominently in your CV.

  • Scholarships and special programs may request separate writing samples or other submissions. Review all requirements carefully.

As a general rule of thumb, do not submit anything the school does not request, and do your due diligence to submit all requirements for the school you’re applying to.

Career Pathways with a Master of Legal Studies

The Master of Legal Studies degree opens a remarkably rich field of opportunities, with non-lawyer roles that require legal thinking in nearly every industry. Some possibilities include:

  • Investigations:

    Agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Public Defender’s Office, and private agencies need people who can correlate information and relay it to legal terminology.

  • Regulatory Compliance:

    Corporations, financial institutions, hospitals, and schools must all comply with state and federal regulations to avoid penalties and obtain funding. Someone who can understand legalese and complete documentation is essential to these businesses’ operations.

  • Healthcare Compliance:

    This is one of many specializations a graduate student may acquire with their master’s degree. A compliance specialization studies federal laws and regulations, quality of care, and patient access to records. Compliance with HIPAA and state laws in an age of online record-keeping is just one part of healthcare compliance.

  • Public Health Law:

    This subject studies legal issues regarding healthcare policy, public health ethics, and healthcare finance as it relates to access and patient care. Disability rights, food law, and other aspects of the law are examined in public health law.

  • Privacy and Cybersecurity:

    This topic surrounds all questions of regulatory compliance and user rights. HIPAA, federal cybersecurity laws, and even homeland security are all part  of understanding the importance of healthcare privacy laws today

If you’re already working in these careers, you can use your degree to widen your responsibilities and employability. If you’re looking for a new career or a change of direction, consider looking into one of these areas as a possible option.

Salary Potential and Job Outlook for MLS Graduates

Jobs for MLS graduates are on the rise. According to Indeed, healthcare compliance, cybersecurity, and paralegals are among the growth jobs in the MLS area.

  • Financial, healthcare, and corporate compliance officers

    can command an average salary of  $71,631 per year. These professionals work with their organization to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

  • Legal consultants

    can work with jury consulting firms, educational agencies, and related occupations. With an average salary of $55,033 per year, they work with other professionals to craft legal frameworks around human behavior patterns.

  • Law enforcement and related fields

    receive an average salary of $50,323 per year. Those who can combine a good knowledge of the law with an ability to understand policy, procedure, and analysis are likely the best candidates for these types of roles.

Financial Aid and Scholarships for MLS Students

Online and in-person MLS programs usually have the same per-unit cost. However, out-of-state tuition may be higher for in-person courses. If cost is a factor for your MLS degree, online courses have the advantage of no commute and no increase in residential living.

In addition, online programs are designed for working professionals. Asynchronous classes can be taken as your schedule permits, whereas live and in-person courses must be taken according to the school’s schedule.

Financial Aid Options

All schools have financial aid available. Most of the applications include a FAFSA application, but you should think carefully before applying for a student loan. Unless you cannot find funding any other way and must complete your course in under a year, other methods might be more financially beneficial.

Other alternatives for financial assistance include:

  • Scholarships:

    These can be found online and through the American Bar Association (ABA) and state bar websites. Even small scholarships can help offset some costs.

  • Employer tuition reimbursement:

    Some employers may pay for your degree or reimburse you after you complete it. You may need to work for the company for a certain number of years after completing the program. Discuss options with HR or your manager to see if this is an option.

Is an MLS Program Worth It? Evaluating ROI

If your career goals don’t include a law degree, taking the bar, and becoming an attorney, the MLS degree is the move for you. It gives you a wide range of career advantages, opportunities, and virtually the same legal knowledge as you’d receive from a law school. Plus, a one-year MLS degree is much less expensive than a three-year law degree. An MLS graduate can enter the job market quickly without needing to pass the bar exam.

If you plan to become a lawyer or have a career in litigation as your end goal, rethink your plans for an MLS. An MLS is not needed for entry into law school (you only need a bachelor’s for that), and you cannot take the bar exam with only a master’s degree. Take time to review your career goals before choosing between an MLS and a J.D.

Next Steps for Pursuing a Master’s in Legal Studies

The Master of Legal Studies degree is a good option for those seeking a better knowledge of law but who don’t plan to continue to law school. Careers in healthcare, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity are good opportunities for those with advanced degrees in legal studies.

If you’re interested in any programs and colleges listed here, take the time to contact admissions offices and request more information. Do your own research and look for other schools that may have other programs related to your interests and specializations. There’s no time to lose in furthering your legal career.

About the Authors

Written by:

Susan Buckner, J.D.

Susan Buckner has a J.D. from Whittier Law School. She’s a contributing author to FindLaw.com with over 350 published articles. Susan has been a legal writer and content provider for five years. She works with numerous online legal content agencies.

Susan worked with Whittier’s Family and Children’s Law Clinic as a junior editor with the Family and Children’s Law Journal from 2009-2011. After law school, she volunteered as a mediator with the Orange County Superior Court, with a 77% settlement rate.

Susan worked as a paralegal for solo attorneys in California and Florida. Her legal experience ranges from contract law to personal injury law, with a specialization in family and disability law. She has written on every legal topic, from contracts to intellectual property. She is also a published fiction and nonfiction author.

Susan lives and works in Southern California.

Susan Buckner, J.D.

Contributor

Education: Whittier Law School, J.D.

Knowledge: Contract Law

Reviewed by:

Ryan P. Duffy, Esq.

Ryan P. Duffy is an attorney licensed to practice law in New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina. His practice focuses primarily on Estate Planning, Personal Injury, and Business law. 

Law Licensures

  • New Jersey

  • Pennsylvania (inactive)

  • South Carolina

  • North Carolina

Ryan Duffy

Ryan P. Duffy, Esq.

Editorial Lead

Education: Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, J.D.

Knowledge: Estate Planning

Suggested Reading

Resources

An Attorney's Guide to Online Master of Legal Studies Programs

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