If you want a career in the legal field but don’t want to become a licensed attorney, earning a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) may be one way to make that happen. And an online part-time Master of Legal Studies program may offer you the flexibility to earn your degree while holding down a full-time job or fulfilling other commitments. 

A part-time MLS may benefit you in other ways too, including possibly saving you money. But opting not to carry a full classload may come with drawbacks as well. Learn more about the pros and cons of part-time online Master of Legal Studies.

One way to settle this question is to treat it like a legal debate, that means you’ll have to gather evidence and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of different programs. 

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help decide: 

• How much time can I devote to my studies?
• Am I able to juggle a full-time job and schoolwork? Or can I afford to cut back on my income to free up time for my studies?
• Will I qualify for student loans and other financial aid as a part-time student?
• What are the tax implications of returning to school?
• Do I have the discipline to stay on track with my coursework?
• Will an online part-time MLS degree give me the same experience as if I studied full-time on campus?
• Do I prefer a program that combines synchronous and asynchronous learning?
• Does my employer offer tuition reimbursement? If so, what makes me eligible?
• Is my desired online MLS program known for its rigor, faculty or immersion experiences?
• Will my desired program help me achieve my career goals?

While there are external factors that may affect your decision to enroll in a part-time MLS program like earning potential and job growth trends, as you can see from the list of questions, your preferences play a big role in framing your choice. 

Compared with full-time MLS programs, enrolling in an online MLS program on a part-time basis has several advantages, some common ones include:

Flexibility and convenience. Many, but not necessarily all, online MLS courses are taught asynchronously instead of in real time. So, you can watch lectures and access course material whenever it’s best for you—on weekends, nights, holidays, or middle of the day. 

Less financial burden. A part-time program may allow you to spread out the cost of your degree over a longer time frame.. Also, if you work while attending school, your employer may have a program to reimburse you for all or part of your tuition, especially if the degree is relevant to your job.

Easier transition. Switching from being a full-time worker to a full-time student can be abrupt. Part-time enrollment may make that transition easier. You also may get the chance to apply what you learn in class to your job instead of having to wait until graduation.

Not everyone may feel that the factors listed below are hurdles. But you may want to take them into account before you enroll.

Longer time to degree. Many full-time students may earn an online MLS in 1 ½ years or less. But if you do it part time, it may be three years or longer before you finish your program. 

Limited student loans. Usually, you need to be enrolled at least half time in order to qualify for full federal student financial aid like direct loans. That means six credit hours or more per semester.

Juggling demands. Carrying even a partial academic load on top of a job, parenting, or other obligations can be more challenging than focusing on your studies full time. Take a realistic stock of your multitasking capabilities.

While online MLS programs vary from school to school, you may find that there are similarities. The following questions and answers highlight some of those similarities:

Information for the above programs was retrieved as of February 2022. For the most up-to-date information, refer to the school’s website.