Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University School of Law offers an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) for working professionals who want to understand how law and regulation affect their industries without pursuing a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.

Wake Forest describes the online Master of Legal Studies as a 100% online, part-time program that provides professionals with advanced knowledge of U.S. law so they can navigate industry regulations, meet compliance requirements, and apply legal knowledge in their careers. The program is designed for non-lawyers who need to understand and apply the law to workplace challenges.

The program requires 30 credits and includes core courses, track courses, and electives. Wake Forest currently lists five track options: Business Law and Compliance, Health Law and Policy, Human Resources, Financial Services, and General.

Wake Forest Law is listed by the American Bar Association as a council-approved law school.

Wake Forest University – Online MLS Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Legal Studies

School: Wake Forest University School of Law

Format: 100% online and part time

Course Delivery: Asynchronous online coursework

Credits: 30 credits

Tracks: Business Law and Compliance, Health Law and Policy, Human Resources, Financial Services, and General

Tuition: Wake Forest lists the tuition rate at $1,284 per credit, for a total tuition figure of $38,520.

Next Start Date Listed by Wake Forest: August 24, 2026

Application Deadline Listed by Wake Forest: August 1, 2026

Program Website: Wake Forest Online Master of Legal Studies

Tracks

Wake Forest’s online MLS allows students to customize their degree by selecting one of five tracks:

Wake Forest states that all students are required to choose a track. The general track may be a fit for students whose career goals fall outside the specialized tracks or who need broader legal knowledge across multiple areas.

Curriculum

According to Wake Forest’s online MLS curriculum page, the program is made up of:

Core courses: 13.5 credits
Track courses: 10.5 credits
Elective courses: up to 6 credits
Total: 30 credits

Wake Forest states that the curriculum is designed to reflect real-world legal challenges and workplace applications. Courses are delivered asynchronously through weekly units, discussions, and collaborative assignments. Students may also participate in optional residential intensives during the academic year.

Admissions Requirements

Wake Forest admits new students to the online MLS three times per year, in the fall, spring, and summer. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and Wake Forest states that applicants can expect to receive an admissions decision by email within a few weeks of submitting a completed application.

According to Wake Forest’s online MLS admissions page, application requirements include:

Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended at the time of application, with official transcripts required after admission
Two letters of recommendation
Resume or CV documenting at least one year of professional experience in any field
Personal statement of 750 words or less
English language proficiency test scores, if the applicant’s undergraduate degree is from a non-English-speaking country

Wake Forest states that no GMAT, GRE, or LSAT scores are required and that there is no application fee. For applicants who need English language proficiency documentation, Wake Forest lists minimum scores of TOEFL 90 or IELTS 7.0.

Accreditation and Required Disclosures

Wake Forest Law is listed by the American Bar Association as a council-approved law school. Wake Forest also maintains a Consumer Information and ABA Required Disclosures page for prospective students.

Wake Forest’s online MLS site also includes required disclosures for the online Master of Legal Studies program, including state authorization information.

Contact Information

Wake Forest’s online MLS site lists the following contact information:

Email: mls@wfu.edu
Phone: 336.863.8438
Address: 1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106

Notes for Prospective Students

Wake Forest’s online MLS is not a JD program and is not designed to prepare students to become licensed attorneys. Instead, it is designed for professionals who want to understand how legal and regulatory issues affect their work.

Prospective students should confirm current tuition, application deadlines, track availability, state authorization rules, and admissions requirements directly with Wake Forest before applying.

Please contact the program to determine if the program is available for your state of residence.

Information on this page was last updated in June 2026. If you have additional information that is best fit for this page, reach out to us at contactus@onlinemasteroflegalstudies.com.