Master of Legal Studies and alternative degrees

A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is a graduate degree that enables individuals to deepen their understanding of legal concepts, compliance, and regulatory frameworks without becoming practicing attorneys. MLS programs can give students a deeper understanding of the law, opening the door to career opportunities across a wide range of public and private sectors.

A master’s in legal studies differs from legal degrees, such as a Juris Doctor (J.D.), which is required to practice law in the U.S., and a Master of Laws (LL.M.), which allows current practicing attorneys to further specialize or gain additional expertise.

What is legal studies?

Legal studies is an interdisciplinary field that explores legal ideas, practices, systems, and their impact on society. A legal studies program may cover critical reasoning, ethical considerations in law, legal research and writing, and case analysis.

Thinking about earning your MLS? Legal studies can benefit individuals interested in:

• Gaining a deeper understanding of the law’s influence on society.
• Developing compliance know-how to apply to their careers.
• Learning the ins and outs of the U.S. legal system, including the criminal justice process and economic regulation.
• Developing skills to conduct legal research, analysis, and other law-related tasks to better serve organizations and businesses.

During your program, you may have the opportunity to choose a legal degree specialization, such as healthcare compliance, privacy and technology law, or human resources law. Keep in mind that a degree in legal studies does not prepare you to become an attorney. MLS graduates are not eligible to sit for the bar exam and may not provide legal advice or represent clients in the way a licensed attorney can.

Different master’s degrees in legal studies

In addition to the MLS degree, there are several other post-graduate degrees for individuals interested in pursuing legal studies:

Master of Studies in Law or Master of Science in Law (M.S.L.): This is an advanced degree for non-lawyers seeking an alternative to three-year law schools. Programs are aimed at mid-career professionals who want a rigorous grounding in legal theories and principles.

Juris Master (J.M.): This is an advanced degree for non-lawyers who want to advance their legal knowledge. Programs do not qualify students to sit for the bar exam, but they may offer opportunities to take courses aligned with specific industry needs.

Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.): This advanced degree is for professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the legal issues they encounter in their work. Programs may require students to participate in a significant research or thesis project.

Master of Laws (LL.M.): This is an advanced degree for lawyers seeking to deepen their knowledge in a specific area. A J.D. or equivalent is required for these programs, some of which are designed for attorneys who have passed the bar exam outside the U.S.

Accredited Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs

Accredited programs undergo a voluntary process to demonstrate the quality of their educational offerings, with independent organizations setting the criteria and granting approval. For MLS and other non-J.D. programs, accreditation works differently than it does for law school J.D. programs — and understanding the distinction matters when evaluating your options.

The American Bar Association (ABA) is the sole nationally recognized accreditor for J.D.-granting law schools, and its standards apply exclusively to J.D. programs. No MLS, MSL, MJ, or JM program is or can be ABA-accredited. While the ABA has a process called "acquiescence" that acknowledges a law school's offering of a non-J.D. program, this is not approval of the degree itself. An MLS offered within an ABA-accredited law school does not inherit that accreditation status.

Instead, MLS programs are accredited at the institutional level through one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education — such as SACSCOC, HLC, MSCHE, NEASC, WASC, or NWCCU. The university holds the accreditation, and the MLS program is covered by virtue of being offered within that institution.

Some compliance-focused MLS tracks may carry additional programmatic recognition from the Compliance Certification Board (CCB), enabling graduates to sit for CCB certification exams. When researching programs, regional institutional accreditation is your primary quality indicator.

Learn more about accredited MLS programs.

What "ABA acquiescence" actually means for MLS programs

If you see an MLS program described as being offered by an "ABA-accredited law school," it is important to know what that phrase does and does not mean for the degree you would earn. ABA describes acquiescence as “a limited procedural review — not an endorsement” of the degree itself. Here is exactly what happens:

• The law school applies to the ABA before offering any non-J.D. degree program.
• The ABA reviews only one question: Will this program negatively affect the school's existing J.D. accreditation?
• If no adverse impact is found, the ABA "acquiesces" — meaning it does not object to the program being offered.
• This is not approval of the MLS degree. The ABA explicitly prohibits schools from claiming their non-J.D. degree is ABA-approved or ABA-accredited.
• The MLS program's accreditation is issued by the university's regional accreditor (such as SACSCOC, HLC, or MSCHE), not the ABA.

For prospective students, this means the law school’s J.D. program may be ABA-accredited, and that the ABA has not objected to the MLS being offered. MLS degrees, like many other degrees offered at colleges and universities, are accredited through broader institutional accreditation handled through regional bodies. Students can view a full list of acquiescence programs on the ABA’s list of Post-J.D./Non-J.D. Programs School.

Sponsored online MLS and law programs

Master’s in legal studies sample coursework

Because there is no universal accreditation standard for MLS programs, the way there is for J.D. programs, curricula can vary significantly from school to school. According to U.S. News & World Report, most MLS programs include required core courses covering legal foundations, ethics, regulatory compliance, and legal research, followed by electives that allow students to specialize in areas aligned with their career goals.

In practice, most programs follow a two-part structure:

Core or foundational courses (typically required of all students, regardless of specialization):

• Introduction to U.S. Law and the Legal System
• Legal Research and Writing for Non-Lawyers
• Contracts
• Torts and Civil Liability
• Regulatory and Administrative Law
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility
• Negotiation and Communication

Elective or concentration courses (vary by program; common focus areas include):

• Business and Corporate Law
• Healthcare Compliance
• Employment and Human Resources Law
• Privacy Law and Cybersecurity
• Intellectual Property
• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Dispute Resolution and Mediation

MLS programs may also require a capstone project, thesis, or applied practicum in the final semester. The time to complete will also vary significantly depending on whether the program is full-time or part-time, as well as on program and student pacing.

For the specific courses offered at any program you are considering, always review the curriculum page directly on the school's website, as offerings change regularly.

Part-time Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs

As a busy professional, you may be wondering whether an MLS program can offer you the flexibility you need to balance your studies with existing commitments. Part-time options let you attend classes that fit your schedule.

Part-time MLS programs typically take 2–4 years (most commonly 2–3 years), with many specifically designed for working professionals to complete in approximately 2–2.5 years (some as fast as 18–21 months; others up to 4–5 years).

Learn more about part-time MLS programs.

Full-time Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs

If your schedule allows you to pursue a more rigorous class schedule, you could complete a full-time MLS program in as little as 9 months. Full-time or accelerated formats are ideal for students with minimal obligations and strong time-management skills who can devote most of their attention to their studies.Full-time MLS programs typically take 9–12 months (some as short as 9 months, others as long as 18 months), while part-time programs typically take 2–4 years, with many designed to be completed in approximately 2–2.5 years for working professionals.

Learn more about full-time MLS programs.

Program Formats: Delivery and Timing

When choosing an MLS program, consider two dimensions: how the program is delivered (online, hybrid, or in-person) and when classes meet (synchronous or asynchronous).

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous: Class Timing

• Synchronous programs require students to attend live classes at set times, with real-time discussion between instructors and peers.
• Asynchronous programs offer prerecorded lectures and let students complete coursework on a schedule that works for them.
• Some programs may offer a mix of both formats

Students with existing work, family, or time zone commitments may be better suited to programs that emphasize asynchronous learning.

Learn more about synchronous vs. asynchronous MLS programs.

Online vs. Hybrid vs. In-Person: Delivery Format

• Online programs are completely virtual, with all coursework delivered through an online learning platform.
• Hybrid programs combine online coursework with occasional in-person requirements, such as campus visits, weekend intensives, or on-site immersions.
• In-person programs require regular on-campus attendance for all or most classes, though this is less common in MLS programs.

The right format will depend on your schedule, location, and whether you want to prioritize in-person interaction over virtual engagements.

Learn more about online vs. hybrid MLS programs.

Which legal degree is right for you?

Choosing the right graduate legal degree depends on where you are in your career and what you want to do with your legal knowledge. As a general guide:

• An MLS is designed for professionals in fields such as compliance, HR, healthcare, and business who want a deeper understanding of the law without pursuing a J.D.
• A Juris Doctor (J.D.) is required for anyone who wants to practice law or sit for the bar exam.
• A Master of Laws (LL.M.) is an advanced degree for licensed attorneys looking to specialize further.

For a deeper look at how these degrees compare, visit our guide to the differences between MLS, LL.M., and J.D.