An online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) and other legal studies master’s programs may provide an advanced understanding of the laws, regulations and legal standards and procedures that affect businesses and organizations. These degree programs are typically designed for nonlawyers who seek knowledge in various areas of law including regulations, compliance, negotiations, human resources, law enforcement and more.  

Students of master’s in legal studies online programs come from diverse backgrounds. Schools may require students to have a bachelor’s degree, though GRE scores may not be necessary. For MLS programs, students may take as few as one to three courses per term, allowing them to choose the graduate career pathway that is right for them.

OnlineMasterofLegalStudies.com was created to help students research master’s legal studies online programs. With this page as your guide, you’ll be able to understand what a master’s in legal studies is, decide if an MLS is a good next step for your career and which program is best for your needs.

We have curated a list of over 21 online master’s in legal studies programs and collected some program information here to enable you to find the best schools for you. Some of these are online Master of Legal Studies programs, while others are close variations, such as an online Master of Science in Law or a Master of Studies in Law. All of these online programs listed have been granted acquiescence by the American Bar Association (ABA) and offer both full- and part-time options for students.

Information for the universities below was last retrieved on March 1, 2021. For the most up-to-date information, check with the university.

University	Degree Name	Number of Credits	Format	Enrollment Type
American University SPONSORED	Master of Legal Studies	30	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
Arizona State University	Master of Legal Studies	30	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
Drexel University	Masters of Legal Studies	45	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
Fordham University SPONSORED	Master of Studies in Law	30	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
Hamline University	Master in the Study of Law	34	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
Northeastern University	Master of Legal Studies	30	Online	Part-Time
Nova Southeastern University	Master of Science in Law	36	Online	Part-Time
Pepperdine University SPONSORED	Master of Legal Studies	32	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
Regent University	Master of Arts in Law	30+	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
Samford University	Master of Studies in Law	34	Online	Part-Time
Seattle University	Master Of Legal Studies In Compliance And Risk Management	30	Online	Part-Time
Thomas Jefferson School of Law	Master of Legal Studies	30	Online	Part-Time
The University of Arizona	Master of Legal Studies	30	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
University of Denver	Master of Science in Legal Administration	30	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
University of New Hampshire	Masters Degrees	30	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
The University of Oklahoma	Master of Legal Studies	32	Online	Part-Time
University of the Pacific	Master of Science in Law	26	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
Vermont Law and Graduate School	Masters Degrees	30	Online	Full-Time and Part-Time
Washington University SPONSORED	Master of Legal Studies (MLS)	24	Online	N/A

You may wonder, what exactly is a Master of Legal Studies online degree? An online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is a graduate degree for nonlawyers and others working in various fields who want to expand their knowledge of law with an interdisciplinary understanding of different types of laws, regulations, and other legal issues. While it doesn’t qualify students to sit for the bar exam or practice law as an attorney, earning an MLS may help professionals enhance their knowledge of the social, political and economic impacts of the law on their industry or business. Similar master’s degrees in legal studies may include a Master of Science in Law, Master of Studies in Law (MSL) and Juris Master (JM).

Online master’s in legal studies programs may include:

Online master’s in legal studies’ programs may require around 30 credits and could take 12 to 36 months to complete. Depending on the school and curricula offered, each course may be equal to one to four credits.

Whether your career requires continuing your education or not, there is much to be gained from pursuing an online master’s in legal studies program.

Deep Legal Knowledge 

As with any master’s degree,  a master’s in legal studies can help demonstrate a deep and well-rounded understanding of your field, showing employers that you have the academic experience to be a force in their organization.  

Earning a master’s in legal studies may include courses such as American Common Law, Legal Writing, Criminal Procedure, International Law, Civil Litigation, and more. Sometimes the curriculum for a master’s in legal studies program intersects with that of juris doctor students. MLS students may be primed to learn about the legal systems in the United States, laws abroad, and how to work with different clients.

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Career Growth Opportunities

People who pursue a career in law may be driven by a passion to uphold justice and protect the legal system.  A master’s in legal studies may help make you a better legal professional, with the training and education to make a difference in the lives of the people with whom you work. 

Candidates with advanced degrees are sometimes able to command more money and may be better positioned for promotions and salary increases. A master’s in legal studies can be viewed as an investment in yourself and your career that could open the door to new opportunities, growth and a better salary.

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Flexibility of Online Learning

Pursuing education online can provide more flexibility for your schedule. For example, some online education programs may offer part-time enrollment with the ability to participate when you want instead of at set times. You may be able to continue working while pursuing an online master of legal studies degree. There is very little to no transportation costs with online learning, which could potentially reduce the overall cost of schooling.

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When selecting which master’s in legal studies program is right for you, there are many factors you should consider. Is the legal program or school accredited? What are the concentrations available? Is it 100% online or a hybrid model? Are you able to interact with other students? Which programs require you pass the GRE? What is the minimum undergraduate GPA required to apply? 

Below are a few resources to help you find the best online master’s in legal studies program for you:

To choose an online master’s degree in legal studies, it’s important to check the accreditation status of the programs. Qualified schools can be accredited by state bar associations as well as regional or national institutional accrediting agencies. Some common organizations may include the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). While the American Bar Association (ABA) does not accredit any non-Juris Doctor (J.D.) or post-J.D. program, the ABA may grant “acquiescence” to Master of Legal Studies and similar programs.

Making sure your legal programs are assessed and accredited by the appropriate accrediting agencies may demonstrate that the content of classes, quality of instruction and structure of the program have met criteria required by the agencies.

Many online and on-campus master’s in legal studies programs offer a selection of legal studies concentrations. It is important that you carefully compare the programs and concentrations offered. As a master of legal studies is commonly used to augment an existing career, you may want to align your concentration with your current profession so that you will graduate armed to make a greater contribution in your chosen field.

Some programs even offer a “Self Designated” concentration which allows you to cater your classes to what is uniquely of interest to you. Some common concentrations of an MLS degree include:

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When selecting your concentration, it is especially important to align it to your preferred career field. Perhaps you have a bachelors or arts in liberal arts and work in the financial industry but have found you aren’t able to compete with colleagues who have a bachelor of science in business. If so, then a master of legal studies with a concentration in financial regulatory compliance may give you the competitive edge you need to advance in your field..

Online master of legal studies schools offer a few different instruction variations. Use our guide to select which learning style you would benefit from and which program offers the choices you need.

Online vs Hybrid Programs

Most schools’ online master of legal studies programs are 100% online. This means that all instruction, all research, all assignments, and all classroom interaction takes place over the internet. 

There are a few programs, however, that offer a hybrid approach. While the hybrid programs’ requirements will vary from program to program, what defines them is that they require students to be physically present on campus for some part of the program. This may be once a semester for a weekend, or once a month for half a day. Each program has differing requirements. 

View Online Hybrid Programs

Full-Time vs Part-Time

Is your goal to earn your Master of Legal Studies as quickly as possible or do you require the flexibility to be able to work your studies into your professional and social obligations? Answering these questions will help you determine if a full-time or part-time program is right for you.  

If you want to earn your Master of Legal Studies Programs in the least amount of time possible and have the ability to take on a full course load to focus primarily on your studies, then you might want to select a full-time program. If, on the other hand, you need to be able to maintain your full-time job, and/or have family obligations to juggle, then taking more time and enrolling in a part-time program might be a better option for you. 

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Synchronous vs Asynchronous Classes

When deciding which master of legal studies program is right for you, you will need to consider whether you prefer to learn on a set schedule in sync with other students or if you prefer the flexibility of learning on your own time, independent of an online classroom. 

Synchronous master of legal studies programs allow students to attend classes on a set schedule, in concert with their fellow students, similar to a traditional classroom setting. Via webcam, students log in at specific times to view lectures, interact with their classmates, and learn in tandem. 

Conversely, asynchronous master of legal studies programs allow students to make their own schedule and view lectures on their own timeline. Students will watch pre-recorded lectures at a time that is convenient for them, work on assignments independently, and typically do not need to interact with other students. Assignments are submitted online according to set deadlines. 

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Law school scholarships are available for students pursuing legal and law degrees, not just J.D. students. Students who want to enroll in a master’s in legal studies online or on-campus program may also research scholarships offered by the university and federal student aid. Students may also consider tuition assistance from their employer or grant opportunities to further offset costs.

Applying to law school for a master’s in legal studies program may seem daunting but many schools offer law and legal students resources to support their academic and career goals. Be sure to check with your preferred program and school for career assistance, certificate options or off-campus experiences. Ultimately the best legal program for you would depend on your own career goals and what you expect to obtain from your master’s program.

Admission criteria of master’s in legal studies programs vary from school to school, so be sure to check with the school you are interested in for specific admission requirements.  Prerequisites may include an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited college. Most on-campus and online MLS programs do not require a GRE or Gmat score. Here is a checklist of commonly required documents for master’s in legal studies programs:

Some schools may also require courses in finance or business before MLS applications, as well as writing samples or work experience in the legal field. 

A benefit of these varying admission requirements is that if you feel your GPA isn’t strong but your work experience is, you might apply to MLS programs that consider your resume and work experience.  

There are many different careers you can pursue with a master’s in legal studies. Graduates can consider career paths to become a paralegal or become a compliance officer or even government work. Graduates may use the knowledge and skills gained through a master’s of legal studies to strengthen and increase the effectiveness in their current role. Most organizations in the United States consult the law or legal procedure in some capacity. 

As a result, a master of legal studies can be used to build upon your bachelor’s degree or current career – amplifying the reach and impact you have by improving your ability to navigate legal regulations, compliance, or business law.

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Last updated November 2021.