Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Programs in Missouri
Master of Legal Studies (MLS) or similar legal studies programs help students in Missouri to gain an advanced understanding of the laws, regulations and legal procedures.
As of May 2024, about 21,010 people were employed in legal occupations in Missouri, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), including lawyers, paralegals and other legal professionals.1
While an MLS degree will not prepare students in Missouri to practice law, it may provide them with career opportunities across local government, industry, and private firms, and enable them to impact businesses and organizations with their legal knowledge.
Read on to learn more about Master of Legal Studies programs in Missouri and the career outlook in this state.
Overview of Legal Degrees in Missouri: Types and Concentrations
There are currently two Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) programs offered by Missouri law schools, one at the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) School of Law and one at Washington University School of Law.
It’s important to understand the ABA’s role here: the ABA Council does not accredit or “approve” non-J.D. degrees. Instead, for ABA-approved law schools, the Council reviews proposed non-J.D. programs to ensure they don’t interfere with J.D. accreditation and then may grant “acquiescence”, which is explicitly not approval of the non-J.D. degree itself.
If you’re open to options beyond Missouri, many out-of-state schools offer online legal studies master’s degrees, which can expand your choices in curriculum, scheduling, and concentrations.
Sponsored Online MLS and Law Programs
American University
Washington College of Law
Master of Legal Studies
- Complete in as few as 12 months
- No GRE/LSAT scores required to apply
- Four tracks available: General MLS, Business, Health Care Compliance, and Technology
- Three certificates available: Business, Health Care Compliance, and Technology
Law School Highlights in Missouri
According to the Law School Admission Council, there are four law schools in Missouri that are ABA-approved and each school offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program:
- University of Missouri School of Law
- University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Law
- Saint Louis University School of Law
- Washington University School of Law
The University of Missouri (UM) School of Law, or Mizzou Law, offers 10 dual degrees / eight certificates. The Kansas City campus of UM boasts a 90.6% first-time bar pass rate and logs 24,000 hours of pro bono service each year. In contrast to Mizzou Law, Saint Louis University offers four concentrations and 8 J.D. dual degree options. Importantly for prospective MLS students, Missouri offers Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs: UMKC Law offers an MLS, and Washington University School of Law offers an Online Master of Legal Studies (MLS).
Legal Career Outlook in Missouri
As of May 2024, there are 21,010 professionals employed in legal occupations in Missouri, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.1 The mean annual wage for these professionals is $118,150 (about $56.80/hour using the standard 2,080-hour work year.. Legal occupations in Missouri include:
Careers with a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Missouri
As mentioned, a Master of Legal Studies degree is typically designed for legal professionals who want to deepen their knowledge of law without sitting for the bar exam or becoming a lawyer. There are many careers you can pursue with a master’s degree in legal studies. According to the BLS, some of these legal occupations include arbitrators, mediators and conciliators; court reporters; and paralegals and legal assistants. In Missouri, these legal professionals may earn:1
Learn more on how to become a paralegal or career options with a master’s in tax law.
Legal Employers in Missouri
Below is the number of people employed by legal occupation in Missouri, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:1
The St. Louis metro area is Missouri’s largest metropolitan area by population, making it a major hub for legal employers across corporate law, litigation, real estate, healthcare, and financial services. Many of the region’s most prominent firms include Thompson Coburn, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), Husch Blackwell, Armstrong Teasdale, and Lewis Rice.
Colleges with Online MLS Programs in Missouri
1Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Missouri: Legal Occupations,” Accessed January 2026. ⬆
| University | Degree Name | Number of Credits | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webster University | Masters of Legal Studies | 39 | St. Louis, Missouri |
Information on this page was last retrieved and updated in January 2026.