MLS vs LLM: Which Legal Degree Is Right for You?

If you already have a career in the legal field or interact with attorneys regularly and need to understand legal jargon, the MLS degree is ideal. For instance, professionals in human resources, regulatory compliance, and insurance handle legal documents and consult with their colleagues in the legal department. It helps to know the policy behind the regulations when you’re working in these areas.

The MLS degree is available from many colleges and universities. You won’t need to attend law school to gain this valuable legal education.

A Master of Laws (LLM) is a post-graduate law degree. It lets lawyers specialize in a particular area of law and permits attorneys from outside of the United States to acquire the knowledge they need to take a state bar exam and practice in the U.S.

Unlike an MLS, only those with an existing JD can apply for an LLM. Attorneys within the U.S. usually need their JD from an ABA-accredited law school. International applicants must take the TOEFL or other proof of competency in English before they can apply for a course.

As a post-graduate course, the LLM degree program resembles a PhD program more than a traditional college course. LLM students may have only one or two required classes, like the LLM program offered at USC’s Gould School of Law. All other classes must consist of 21 units taken from the law school course catalog.

LLM students usually meet with a graduate counselor to craft a graduate program that provides them with a degree or certificate in their focus area. Common programs focus on:

International students must complete Introduction to U.S. Legal Systems and Legal Research to prepare them to study for the state bar exam.

Not all law schools offer LLM degrees. If you plan to get an LLM to take a state bar exam, you’ll need to attend an accredited law school, so review the school’s credentials carefully.

The MLS degree is available from most state colleges and universities. Private schools also offer MLS degrees.

American University: The MLS program is a 30-unit online course that can be taken full-time or part-time. American has online and in-person MLS courses.

There are ten LLM program tracks. Each has 24 required units that can be tailored to the student’s individual needs. 16 units must be completed from classroom study. American has both online and in-person courses for the LLM.

Pepperdine University: Pepperdine’s Caruso School of Law also has both an MLS and LLM program. The MLS graduate program is a 26-unit course. Online and in-person courses are available.

LLM applicants must have a JD from an accredited law school. LLMs are available in U.S. Law, Entertainment Law, and Dispute Resolution. The University offers scholarships for Dispute Resolution as well as traditional financial aid.

Students interested in their LLM or MLS should take time to Google both degrees and review available schools. TheAmerican Bar Association (ABA) also has a list of accredited schools for review.

Depending on your career goals, your current career, and your education status, there are pros and cons for each kind of legal degree.

Pros and Cons of an MLS Degree

Pros and Cons of an LLM Degree

Both the MLS and LLM are graduate programs intended for those who already have a secondary degree and want to advance their careers.

The MLS degree is intended for non-lawyers and those who don’t plan to become attorneys. If you want a career in a legal-adjacent profession where knowledge of the law will help you understand your job and improve your performance, then an MLS degree would be the right pursuit.

The LLM degree is meant for those who are already practicing attorneys. It is designed for lawyers who want to specialize in a particular practice area or are looking to enter academia and teach one type of class. LLMs are also necessary for attorneys from other countries who need a “crash course” in American law and legal practice so they can take the bar exam and begin practicing law in the United States.

The two degrees are intended for different types of students. You can determine which one you need very easily: If you don’t have your JD already, then it will need to pursue an MLS degreet.

Choosing between the MLS or LLM depends on your current employment and educational status. To get an LLM, you must be a practicing attorney or have a JD from an accredited law school. While an attorney can obtain an MLS, there’s no real need for them to do so.

All students should do their due diligence before applying to any college or university. Consider your career goals and financial status carefully. Contact the admissions office, ask for an information packet, and look at the curriculum before deciding on a school. Be sure you can get the classes you want. Look at the professors, too, and see what kind of career counseling the school offers.