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 2019, more than 20,230 people were employed in legal occupations in Missouri, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), including lawyers, paralegals and other legal experts.1
While an MLS degree will not prepare students in Missouri to practice law, it may provide them with career opportunities in a variety of settings, from local government to industry to 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.
Sponsored MLS Program
Washington University’s Online MLS for Non-Lawyers
The online Master of Legal Studies program from top-20 ranked Washington University School of Law is designed for non-lawyers who would benefit from legal training. The MLS can be completed in as little as one year. No GRE/LSAT required to apply.
Overview of Legal Degrees in Missouri: Types and Concentrations
There are two Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs offered by Missouri universities, one of which is recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) by way of “acquiescence”. The ABA does not accredit non-J.D. or post-J.D. programs. However, students in Missouri may choose out-of-state MLS degrees that can be earned from online MLS programs.
Sponsored Online MLS and Law Programs
Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
- Complete in as few as 12 months
- No GRE/LSAT scores required to apply
- Five specializations available: General MLS, Business, Health Care Compliance, Technology, and Cybersecurity
Sponsored Online MLS Program
Online MSL in Corporate Compliance
- Complete in as few as 20 months
- GRE, GMAT, and LSAT scores not required to apply
- Professionals who have earned a J.D., LL.B., or other law degree not eligible
Sponsored Online Law Program
Master of Legal Studies program
- No GRE or LSAT scores required to apply.
- Complete in as few as 16 months.
- Dispute resolution and human resources concentrations available
Sponsored Online MLS Program
Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
- Complete in as little as one year
- No GRE or LSAT scores required to apply
- Five concentration offerings
Sponsored Online MLS Program
Law School Highlights in Missouri
According to the Law School Admission Council, there are four law schools in Missouri accredited by the American Bar Association 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 nine J.D. dual degree programs and nine certificate programs with options to concentrate in criminal justice or tax law. The Kansas City campus of UM boasts a 90.5% bar pass rate with a logged 24,000 hours of pro bono service each year. In contrast to Mizzou Law, Saint Louis University offers four concentrations and 10 J.D. dual degree options. None of these universities, however, offer a Master of Legal Studies.
Legal Career Outlook in Missouri
As of May 2019, There are 20,230 professionals employed in legal occupations in Missouri, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports.1 The hourly mean wage for these professionals is $40.19 and the annual mean wage is $83,600. Legal occupations in Missouri include:
| Occupation | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | $52.80 | $109,820 |
| Judicial Law Clerks | $23.73 | $49,360 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators and Hearing Officers | $58.14 | $120,930 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators | $33.26 | $69,180 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates | $62.92 | $130,880 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $23.15 | $48,160 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers | $19.15 | $39,820 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $25.47 | $52,970 |
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 about law but not sit for the bar exam or become 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
| Occupation | Hourly Mean Wage | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators | $33.26 | $69,180 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $25.85 | $53,770 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $23.15 | $48,160 |
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
| Occupation | Hourly Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Lawyers | 10,840 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 5,980 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors and Searchers | 1,870 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | 570 |
| Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates | 560 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators and Hearing Officers | 180 |
| Judicial Law Clerks | 140 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators | 90 |
The St. Louis area is the largest metropolitan area in Missouri. The five largest law firms in the city, according to St. Louis Business Journal, are:
| Missouri Firm | Local Licensed Attorneys |
|---|---|
| Thompson Coburn LLP | 237 |
| Bryan Cave LLP | 220 |
| Husch Blackwell LLP | 177 |
| Armstrong Teasdale LLP | 160 |
| Lewis Rice LLC | 134 |
Colleges with Online MLS Programs in Missouri
| School Name | Degree Name | City | Full-Time or Part-Time | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University School of Law Sponsored Program |
Master of Legal Studies | St. Louis | Complete in as little as one year |
Five concentration offerings: Business Law, Conflict Resolution, Employment Law, Litigation, Regulatory Compliance |
| Webster University | Master of Legal Studies | St. Louis | N/A | The Legal Studies paralegal programs at Webster University are approved by the American Bar Association. |
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Missouri: Legal Occupations,” Accessed July 2020.
Information on this page was last retrieved in August 2020.