There are many careers in the legal field that do not require you to be a lawyer, however, these positions may require you to have an advanced degree such as a Master of Legal Studies (MLS). MLS degrees provide a thorough understanding of laws and regulations.

Many MLS programs and related law degrees are recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) by way of “ acquiescence”. ABA-recognition for MLS programs may help prospective students understand that a program is affirmed by rigorous academic and career standards. It is important to note that the ABA does not grant accreditation to any non-Juris Doctor (J.D.) or post-J.D. programs.

ABA-recognized online MLS programs may be an excellent option for students pursuing an advanced degree in legal studies while working full time or part time. There are dozens of online Master of Legal Studies programs that allow students to enroll without relocating. Whether you are looking for the right online program or a traditional on-campus experience, one of the most important attributes to consider when comparing MLS degrees is accreditation. 

Jump to the list of ABA-Recognized Master of Legal Studies Programs

Accreditation is a voluntary, rigorous process that many schools undergo to demonstrate the quality of their educational programs. For law schools, this is no different. According to the ABA’s current guidance on non-J.D. programs, a Council-approved law school may not establish a degree program other than the J.D. unless the school is fully approved, and the additional program will not detract from its ability to maintain a sound J.D. program. The ABA also makes clear that acquiescence in a degree other than the J.D. is not approval of the degree itself, and a law school may not state that the non-J.D. 

The degree is approved by the Council. Both traditional and distance-education J.D. pathways may be offered by Council-approved law schools if the school complies with the ABA’s distance-education rules and, where required, obtains Council acquiescence for that delivery model.

While the ABA’s Council accredits the J.D. program at Council-approved law schools, it does not separately approve or accredit non-J.D. degrees such as the Master of Legal Studies. A law school may request the Council’s acquiescence to offer a non-J.D. program, but acquiescence is not approval of the degree itself. In reviewing a proposed non-J.D. program, the Council considers whether the additional degree program would interfere with the law school’s ability to operate in compliance with the Standards and to maintain a sound J.D. program.

To obtain and retain ABA approval, law schools must meet the requirements in the current Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools, including standards related to organization and administration, the program of legal education, the faculty, admissions and student services, library and information resources, facilities, technology, learning outcomes, assessment, and required public disclosures.

Accreditation information for institutions and programs is reported to the U.S. Department of Education through its Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. However, the database itself does not ensure that schools maintain academic standards; rather, accreditation oversight is carried out by recognized accrediting agencies, and the Department recognizes those accreditors for federal purposes.

Accrediting Agencies and Process

Educational accreditation agencies are often recognized by the Department of Education. These agencies perform independent and objective assessments of schools and their programs. They measure, assess, and validate application procedures, educational content, financial stability, teaching staff, and degree criteria. 

An institution must comply with the ABA’s current Standards and Rules of Procedure to obtain and retain Council approval. A law school may not apply for provisional approval until it has been in operation for at least one year. Once provisional approval is granted, the school remains in that status for at least three years before it may seek full approval. These Standards set the requirements for providing a sound program of legal education. According to the ABA, a provisionally approved school must demonstrate full compliance with each Standard to receive full approval. After a school receives full approval, the ABA monitors continued compliance through annual questionnaires and site evaluations, including a full site evaluation in the third year after full approval, followed by a regular comprehensive site evaluation every 10 years.

National Accreditation vs. Regional Accreditation

The ABA is not the only accrediting agency for law schools. There are also state bar associations and regional institutional accrediting agencies. It’s important to be familiar with the benefits and potential limitations of each accreditation type before enrolling in a law school or MLS program. 

While each state has its own bar associations, all states recognize graduation from an ABA-approved law school as meeting the legal education requirements for eligibility to sit for the bar examination. Among these state bar associations, it’s worth noting that the State Bar of California is the largest state bar association in the United States and may open doors to non-accredited schools. The State Bar of California has accredited a number of California schools that lack ABA accreditation.

Institutional accreditation may include national and regional recognition. Examples of CHEA-recognized institutional accreditors include the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

As the name suggests, regional accrediting agencies each serve a geographic region of the United States and provide institutional accreditation. Some of them may also accredit states outside their region. Examples of historically regional institutional accreditors recognized by CHEA include:

• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

When legal students examine law school accreditation, it’s advisable to check the accreditation status with both bar associations and educational institutions to gain a holistic understanding of the school and its legal programs.

When selecting a master’s in legal studies program, you should note whether the law school has received ABA acquiescence to offer the program. ABA acquiescence means the Council determined that offering the non-J.D. program would not interfere with the law school’s compliance with ABA Standards or its ability to maintain a sound J.D. program.

The entirety of the MLS program—admission standards, coursework, professors, education content, degree requirements and teaching methods—may have been subject to oversight through the law school’s or university’s institutional accreditor.

Additionally, bar association accreditation and institutional accreditation are not mutually exclusive. Earning a master’s degree takes a significant commitment of time and money, so it’s best to confirm that the university holds recognized institutional accreditation and, if relevant, that the law school has ABA acquiescence to offer the non-J.D. program.

Why is Acquiescence Important for a Master of Legal Studies Program?

There are several reasons prospective students may want to confirm whether a law school has received ABA acquiescence to offer its MLS program:

• Some employers may prefer degrees from institutions with recognized accreditation, but ABA acquiescence for an MLS is not the same as programmatic accreditation.
• Employers may require proof that a school is accredited to qualify for tuition reimbursement. 
• Eligibility for federal student aid generally depends on the institution’s participation in federal aid programs and recognized accreditation status, not on ABA acquiescence for a non-J.D. MLS program.
• Professional licensure requirements vary by field, but ABA acquiescence for an MLS does not create bar-exam eligibility or function as licensure-specific accreditation.
• ABA acquiescence does not mean the Council independently accredited or approved the MLS curriculum itself; it means the Council determined the added non-J.D. program would not interfere with the law school’s compliance with ABA Standards or its J.D. program.

The U.S. Department of Education maintains the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs using information reported by recognized accreditors and state approval agencies.

The first thing a prospective student should do is ensure that a program is accredited. The table below provides helpful information regarding online Master of Legal Studies programs and related degrees that have been granted acquiescence by the ABA.

Information for the above programs was retrieved as of April 2026. For the most up-to-date information, refer to the school’s website.