1. Programs

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

Published on: Dec 3, 2024

WRITTEN BY

Susan Buckner, J.D.
Ryan Duffy

REVIEWED BY

Ryan P. Duffy, Esq.

A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree is a flexible alternative to law school, providing essential legal knowledge for professionals without requiring a Juris Doctor (J.D.). If you’ve been considering a legal career but aren’t interested in law school or going into legal practice, a legal studies degree program gives you most of the same knowledge without the cost and time you would devote to a J.D. The MLS opens a range of professional careers that need law-minded people. The only thing you can’t do with an MLS is take the bar exam and become an attorney. However, you won’t need a J.D. for many of the opportunities an MLS can provide.

If you have not considered a Master of Legal Studies before, consider some of the programs listed here. Together we’ll explore the options available for MLS and other legal studies degrees.

What is a Master of Legal Studies?

A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is a one-year  postgraduate degree that gives students additional knowledge in legal writing, research, and understanding of legal issues. The MLS is specifically designed for people who do not plan to get a law degree but need specialized legal skills.

Some students go directly from a bachelor’s program into their MLS. Still, the degree is sought by people who are already working in a field and need additional legal knowledge. Human resources, regulatory compliance, and healthcare are all areas that have become increasingly law-related. Having legal skills helps advance in these fields.

By contrast, a juris doctorate (law school) program prepares students to do one thing: Take the bar exam and become an attorney. Many students may not become practicing attorneys, but law schools teach only law and how to take the bar.

Law school legal research programs, writing courses, and other classes offer the legal skills that attorneys will use in their law practice. Understanding case law and the history of the Constitution is interesting, but not what a regulatory compliance officer needs on the job.

Who Should Pursue a Master of Legal Studies?

Surprisingly, many businesses have an increased need for legal specialists. As businesses expand into international and online spheres, they need legal experts who understand many areas of law without being specialists (i.e., attorneys).

Growing legal fields include:

  • Cybersecurity Law:

    This area must comply with numerous federal and international agencies, including the FTC, the SEC, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), and many others. Failing to meet the standards of these agencies can result in heavy fines or worse.

  • Criminal Law:

    Several states, such as California, have passed laws to reduce the burden on their prison and jail systems. As a result, the need for probation officers, parole officers, and public service agents has increased dramatically.

  • Healthcare:

    The Affordable Care Act (ACA) made health insurance available to tens of thousands of people who lacked it before. Now, with so much demand, healthcare compliance officers are essential in protecting patients’ records, ensuring services are provided in a timely manner and other legal requirements.

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

  • Business law, management, and employment law

  • Public policy and court management

  • Environmental law and resource management

  • Information technology (IT)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that all legal studies areas combined are growing on pace with all other employment areas.

Top Benefits of Earning a Master of Legal Studies

A Master of Legal Studies online program is ideal for anyone whose career plans require legal knowledge, but whose career is not based solely on the law. Knowing how to read a contract, interpret a court order, and review a regulation are all critical skills. 

The specialized knowledge you gain from a Master of Legal Studies will advance your career by making you a highly valuable employee to any company.  In any field that requires specialized knowledge—healthcare, IP, or international law—knowing what to ask the attorneys makes you extra employable.

Getting your MLS shows your employer that you are serious about your career goals. Taking time to get a graduate degree and a specialization in your employment area suggests that you plan to remain in your field and improve your skills. This is a considerable benefit to job security and future employment prospects.

Popular Specializations in Master of Legal Studies Programs

Because so many businesses and corporations are looking for legal specialists, law schools and colleges now offer MLS programs tailored for high-demand fields. One example is Texas A&M University’s School of Law. Their online and in-person courses feature MLS programs in some highly desirable fields

The online programs are designed for working individuals, so you can take courses while working a full- or part-time job. Even if you pursue your degree part-time, Texas A&M classes may be completed in as little as one to two years. Other schools have similar course loads.

Top Online Master's in Legal Studies Programs for 2025

It’s important to do your research before signing up for any master’s degree program. Many colleges claim to be “the best” or the “top online program” but the best program is the one that gives you the degree you want with the flexibility you need at a price you can afford. Let’s explore some of the top online MLS programs for 2024.

1) 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 30-unit 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.

2) Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law

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:

3. Fordham University

Has a 30 unit online Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) that 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

4. Liberty University

Is a 100% online MLS program broken into 8-week course segments. The juris master 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.

Core curriculum includes contracts, business law, economics, and criminal law.

5) Northeastern University

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

6. Pepperdine University

MLS can be completed within 24 months by students taking 4-6 term units. Full-time students can finish in 12 months taking 8 units per term. Core curriculum includes: 

  • Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Systems

  • Legal Research and Writing 

  • Contracts 

  • Torts

Plus eight elective courses in the student’s specialization. Concentration options are available in dispute resolution, human resources, or litigation.

7. Regent University

Taught from a Christian perspective, Regent University’s MLS 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

8. Seton Hall University

MLS candidates complete 31 credit-hours of coursework consisting of four foundation courses and six electives. The foundation classes are: 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

9. Texas A&M

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 US 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

10. University of Miami

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

11. Washington University at St. Louis

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

12. Webster University

MLS is a 39-credit hour course for students who need a broad working knowledge of the law. The MLS is ideal for teachers, government workers, and 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.

13. 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

Every MLS program is different and will have slightly different admissions requirements. These are some basic requirements that are common to most schools. Students should always check with each school’s admissions office before submitting any applications.

  • Undergraduate Degree:

    Any Master’s program will require an undergraduate degree. Although a Master of Legal Studies will not require a bachelor’s in legal studies or other legal degree, students must have a four-year degree of some kind.

  • Official Transcripts:

    Students must submit official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions. The school may take unofficial transcripts with your initial application, but you must have official (sealed) transcripts before you begin classes.

  • Letters of Recommendation:

    Drexel University and American University each request two professional or academic references.

  • Resume or CV:

    You will need to highlight your academic and professional achievements like scholarships, academic honors, and speeches. Publications, if any, are a plus.

  • Writing Sample:

    Be sure to read this requirement carefully. Each program has unique standards and is looking for something different from its students. The main thing universities are looking for is your ability to read and understand instructions.

    • Drexel University requests either a previously graded academic paper or a “problem of practice,” no more than 750 words on a problem relative to your area of specialization.

    • American University requests a “statement of purpose,” no more than 500 words on how you think this program will help you meet your short- and long-term goals.

International students must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or other proof of competency in English. Some schools waive the requirement for British Commonwealth or English-instruction nations.

Cost and Financial Aid for a Master of Legal Studies

One advantage of the MLS is its lower cost compared to three years of law school. The Master’s program at Drexel is $945 per quarter credit hour, compared to $1,840 per semester credit for their J.D. A 45-quarter unit MLS degree from Drexel will cost $42,525—less than one year’s tuition at the law school ($55,200).

Scholarships and student loans are available through all law schools and universities. Students should consider carefully before acquiring student loans if they have other ways of obtaining funding. Scholarships can be found through the school itself, and in many places online.

If you already have a job, consider asking HR if your workplace will sponsor some, or all, of your MLS degree. Some companies will assist employees with advanced education since your knowledge adds to your value as an employee.

Online vs. On-Campus Master of Legal Studies: Which Is Right for You?

The biggest difference between online and in-person programs is time savings. Most online programs are designed with working professionals in mind. Asynchronous classes (where the students and professors are not online or “in class” at the same time) offer the option to learn at your own pace.

There is no real difference in cost per unit, but you will save money on commuting. Consider the advantage of taking online courses if you need to drive any distance across major cities like Chicago or New York.

On the other hand, some students have difficulty focusing in an online environment. You may need a physical classroom and the presence of a professor to help you concentrate. Also, keep in mind that while an online MLS is mostly acceptable today, an online J.D. is not. If you plan to move forward and get your law degree, you will need to consider the law school location and accreditation.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Master of Legal Studies

Master of Legal Studies is not a commonly encountered degree. Here are some common questions answered.

  • 1. What is a Juris Master’s degree?

     A Juris Master (JM) is another name for a Master of Legal Studies. It is a graduate program for those who want legal knowledge and a legal degree without attending law school.

  • 2. What is the difference between a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a Master of Legal Studies (MLS)?

    A J.D. is a degree given to someone who has graduated from law school and can sit for the bar exam in their state. An MLS is a graduate degree that gives the student legal knowledge but does not allow them to take the bar exam or become an attorney.

  • 3. Can an MLS have a career in healthcare law?

    An MLS is useful for some positions in healthcare law, but an MLS is not an attorney and cannot hold themselves out as a “healthcare lawyer.” MLS graduates can work in healthcare insurance or regulatory compliance.

Sources

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.

Contributing Author

Education: Whittier Law School, JD

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

Complete Guide to Online Law Schools: Advice for Aspiring Legal Professionals

Career Guides

Master of Legal Studies: A Smart Investment or Not? How to Decide if an MLS Degree is Right for You