Online Master of Legal Studies Programs in Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C. is home to six ABA-approved law schools, several of which offer legal studies or law-related master’s options for professionals who want legal knowledge without becoming attorneys.

D.C. students can start their research with local options such as American University Washington College of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies, George Washington University Law School’s Master of Studies in Law, and Georgetown Law’s Master of Studies in Law in Taxation for experienced tax professionals.

The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, Howard University School of Law, and the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law are also important parts of D.C.’s legal education landscape, though current MLS-style legal studies master’s programs for nonlawyers were not verified at those schools during this review.

In this guide, you’ll find a practical overview of how to compare the Master of Legal Studies and related non-J.D. programs in the Washington, D.C. region. It covers:

• Program options near D.C.: Local MLS, MSL, and related programs in the District, plus nearby options in Northern Virginia and Maryland’s Baltimore-Washington corridor.
• Degree differences: How an MLS compares with a J.D. or LL.M., and why an MLS does not qualify graduates to practice law.
• Career fit: How legal studies coursework may connect to D.C.-area fields such as compliance, government contracting, healthcare administration, cybersecurity, public policy, HR, legal operations, and regulated industries.
• Online program options: How to compare format, admissions requirements, LSAT expectations, state authorization, accreditation, ABA language, and cost.
• Next steps: Where to find D.C. legal resources, career information, bar admission rules, and questions to ask before choosing a program.

Are There Master of Legal Studies Programs in Washington, D.C.?

Yes. Washington, D.C. offers multiple options for students considering an MLS, MSL, or related non-J.D. legal master’s programs. Because the D.C. education and employment market extends beyond the District itself, students may also want to compare nearby programs in Northern Virginia and the Baltimore-Washington corridor in Maryland.

In Washington, D.C., American University Washington College of Law offers an online Master of Legal Studies program with coursework in law, business, and international affairs. The George Washington University Law School offers a Master of Studies in Law for nonlawyers seeking legal knowledge for professional roles, with both online and on-campus options. Georgetown Law offers an online Master of Studies in Law in Taxation for experienced tax professionals who are not attorneys.

Nearby options in Northern Virginia and Maryland can also be relevant for D.C.-area students. George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School in Arlington offers a Juris Master for nonlawyers seeking a deeper understanding of the U.S. legal system and its impact on their work. The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in Baltimore offers an online Master of Science in Law designed for working professionals. These programs may be especially relevant for students who live or work in D.C., Northern Virginia, suburban Maryland, or the Baltimore-Washington corridor.

Not every ABA-approved law school in the broader region offers an MLS-style program for nonlawyers. Some schools focus primarily on J.D. programs, LL.M. programs for lawyers, or post-J.D. certificates. Students should confirm the exact degree name, intended audience, format, admissions requirements, and whether the program is designed for nonlawyers, attorneys, or both.

D.C. residents may also compare online programs based outside the District. Before enrolling, confirm that the school is authorized to enroll students in D.C. The D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education states that the District became a SARA member on June 6, 2016, and NC-SARA explains that participating states and territories include the District of Columbia.

Want to learn more about online MLS programs or explore hybrid options? Check out our guide to online vs. hybrid MLS programs.

MLS and Related Legal Studies Programs in Washington, D.C.

Programs included in this table were last reviewed in June 2026.

ABA-Approved Law Schools in Washington, D.C. and Non-J.D. Program Options

Washington, D.C. has six ABA-approved law schools. ABA approval applies to law schools and their J.D. programs, not to non-J.D. degrees such as MLS, MSL, LL.M., or certificate programs. When a law school offers a non-J.D. program, ABA acquiescence may apply, but acquiescence is not the same as ABA approval of the non-J.D. degree itself.

• American University Washington College of Law: American University offers an online Master of Legal Studies with tracks in General, Business, Health Care Compliance, Technology, and Cybersecurity. The law school also offers J.D., LL.M., S.J.D., and certificate options.
• The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law: Catholic Law offers J.D. and LL.M. programs. It is an important part of D.C.’s legal education landscape, but a current MLS-style legal studies master’s program for nonlawyers was not verified on Catholic Law’s official pages during this review.
• The George Washington University Law School: GW Law offers a Master of Studies in Law with online and on-campus options. Areas of study include government procurement, cybersecurity law and policy, national security and cybersecurity law, and other law-related fields. GW Law also offers J.D., LL.M., S.J.D., and joint degree programs.
• Georgetown University Law Center: Georgetown Law offers an online Master of Studies in Law in Taxation for experienced tax professionals. Georgetown also offers J.D., LL.M., S.J.D., and other graduate and certificate programs, including a Master of Laws and Technology.
• Howard University School of Law: Howard Law offers J.D. and LL.M. programs. Its LL.M. is generally for law-trained applicants, including international candidates with a prior law degree or equivalent legal qualification. Howard does not currently appear to offer an MLS-style legal studies master’s program.
• University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law: UDC Law offers full-time and part-time J.D. programs and non-degree coursework options for certain law graduates or practicing lawyers. UDC Law does not currently appear to offer an MLS-style legal studies master’s program.

What Is a Master of Legal Studies?

A Master of Legal Studies is a graduate degree for people who want to build legal knowledge without necessarily becoming attorneys. Programs may cover legal systems, legal research, legal writing, contracts, compliance, regulation, constitutional law, criminal law, property law, torts, ethics, policy, and law-related problem-solving.

An MLS, MSL, M.A. in Legal Studies, Master of Jurisprudence, or similar non-J.D. legal master’s degree is different from a J.D. A Juris Doctor is the law degree most states require for admission to the bar and the practice of law. In contrast, an MLS or a related master’s degree in legal studies prepares students to understand how the law affects their work in other professional settings, but it does not prepare them to practice law as attorneys.

For a broader overview, see our guide to Master of Legal Studies degrees.

Who Should Consider an MLS in Washington, D.C.?

A master’s degree in legal studies may be a good fit for D.C.-area professionals whose work regularly involves rules, regulations, contracts, investigations, risk, compliance, public policy, or legal operations. Whether it makes sense depends on your experience, target role, and the extent to which legal knowledge would help you work more effectively with attorneys, compliance teams, vendors, employees, agencies, or regulated business units.

If you plan to work in Washington, D.C., or the broader DMV region while enrolled in an MLS program, it can help to look at the industries that shape employment across the District, Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland.

• Federal government, public policy, and public administration: Washington, D.C. is one of the country’s most concentrated markets for public-sector, policy, and government-adjacent work. Professionals working with federal agencies, congressional offices, public affairs firms, think tanks, advocacy organizations, or local government offices may use legal knowledge to interpret rules, draft policy materials, review public records issues, manage ethics questions, or support administrative processes. Students interested in public-service career paths can review federal opportunities through USAJOBS and public-sector career resources from the Partnership for Public Service.
• Government contracting, procurement, and grants: The D.C. region has a large government contracting and professional services market, especially in Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland. Professionals working with employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, or Northrop Grumman may encounter issues tied to contracts, procurement rules, subcontracting, grant conditions, cybersecurity requirements, audits, compliance documentation, or vendor risk. Students interested in this area may also want to explore the Professional Services Council, a trade association for the federal contracting community.
• Cybersecurity, privacy, and technology policy: The D.C. region is a major market for cybersecurity, privacy, technology consulting, and federal technology work. Legal studies coursework may be relevant to professionals working on data governance, privacy compliance, cybersecurity policies, incident response, procurement requirements, internal controls, or technology risk. Students interested in this field may want to review resources from the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, or the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
• Associations, advocacy, and nonprofit organizations: D.C. is home to many trade associations, advocacy organizations, professional societies, foundations, and national nonprofits. Professionals in these settings may work with governance rules, lobbying compliance, contracts, grant requirements, employment policies, policy analysis, ethics rules, or regulatory comments. Students interested in this part of the regional economy may want to review the American Society of Association Executives or the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for examples of the association and business-policy landscape.
• Healthcare, hospitals, and health policy: Healthcare systems and health-policy organizations are major employers across the D.C. region. Professionals working with organizations such as MedStar Health, Inova, or Johns Hopkins Medicine may encounter legal and regulatory issues tied to patient privacy, billing, contracts, employment, procurement, compliance, public benefits, risk management, or facility operations. Students interested in D.C.-area healthcare administration and policy may also want to review the District of Columbia Hospital Association.
• Higher education, research, and institutional administration: D.C.-area colleges, universities, research institutions, and academic medical centers operate in heavily regulated environments. Professionals at institutions such as Georgetown University, George Washington University, American University, or nearby University System of Maryland institutions may work with issues tied to Title IX, student affairs, grants, research compliance, accessibility, employment policy, contracts, and institutional governance. The Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area can also help students understand the region’s higher education network.
• Human resources, employment, and workplace policy: HR professionals across the D.C. region may work on hiring practices, employee documentation, workplace investigations, wage questions, accommodation requests, discrimination complaints, benefits, internal policy updates, and labor relations. Students interested in this area may want to review resources from SHRM, based in Alexandria, Virginia, or from local employer groups such as the Greater Washington Board of Trade.
• Real estate, housing, land use, and regional development: D.C. and its surrounding suburbs face complex issues in real estate, zoning, housing, transportation, and development. Professionals working in real estate, planning, construction, affordable housing, transportation, or community development may encounter contracts, permitting, land-use rules, financing, public-private partnerships, environmental review, or regulatory compliance. Students interested in this area may want to explore ULI Washington or the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
• Legal support, compliance, and legal operations: Paralegals, legal assistants, contract administrators, compliance coordinators, claims professionals, law firm administrators, legal operations staff, and risk management professionals may consider pursuing an MLS to build a broader legal foundation. The D.C. region has a large legal market, including law firms, courts, corporate legal departments, government agencies, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations. Students exploring legal support pathways may want to review the National Capital Area Paralegal Association or the D.C. Bar Career Center. An MLS is not required for every legal support role, and it does not authorize graduates to give legal advice or represent clients as attorneys.

What Can You Earn With an MLS?

Evaluating the earning potential of MLS graduates is challenging because graduates may pursue many different fields, occupations, and career pathways, including compliance, healthcare administration, human resources, contracts, risk management, legal support, public administration, policy, and other regulated fields. The salaries below may help you understand the range of roles where legal knowledge may be relevant, but they are not a complete list of applicable jobs.

The salary and wage data below compare the U.S. national median annual wage with that of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics dataset, keep in mind that BLS data reflects occupation-level wages, not outcomes for MLS graduates specifically, and earning an MLS degree does not guarantee a specific career outcome or salary.

Salary depends on experience, employer, industry, location, and credentials. Some roles may require a J.D., bar admission, paralegal experience, HR certification, safety credential, healthcare experience, government experience, security clearance, or industry-specific training. Students should use salary data as one part of their research, along with job postings and employer requirements in their target field.

For a broader look at career paths connected to this degree, see our guide to what you can do with a Master’s in Legal Studies.

Can You Become a Lawyer in Washington, D.C. With an MLS?

No. You cannot become a lawyer in Washington, D.C. with a Master of Legal Studies alone. The D.C. Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions reviews applications for admission to the District of Columbia Bar, administers the bar exam, conducts character and fitness investigations, and makes recommendations to the court. Admission to practice law in D.C. is governed by D.C. App. Rule 46.

Students who want to become attorneys should research J.D. programs and D.C. bar admission requirements. Students who want legal knowledge for work in compliance, business, healthcare, HR, policy, public administration, contracts, cybersecurity, procurement, or other non-attorney fields may find an MLS or a related legal studies master’s program more aligned with their goals.

What Online MLS Options Are Available to Washington, D.C. Residents?

D.C. residents can compare online Master of Legal Studies, Master of Studies in Law, Master of Jurisprudence, M.A. in Legal Studies, and related programs offered by institutions inside and outside the District. Out-of-state online programs may offer different degree names, concentrations, tuition structures, admissions requirements, and schedules.

Based on this review, D.C. students could start their research by reviewing:

• American University Washington College of Law — Online Master of Legal Studies: American describes the MLS as an online degree for non-lawyer professionals with law-related responsibilities and lists tracks including General, Business, Health Care Compliance, Technology, and Cybersecurity.
• The George Washington University Law School — Master of Studies in Law: GW Law describes the MSL as a program for nonlawyers and states that students can earn the MSL 100% online, with an on-campus option available as well. Students choose from 13 areas of concentration and must typically have 3–5 years of relevant professional experience.
• Georgetown Law — Online Master of Studies in Law in Taxation: Georgetown describes the M.S.L. in Taxation as an online program for experienced tax professionals who are not attorneys but want a comprehensive understanding of tax law.

Before applying to an online program, D.C. students should confirm that the school is authorized to enroll them. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements lists the District of Columbia as a SARA participant, and D.C.’s Higher Education Licensure Commission serves as the District’s SARA portal entity. Students should still confirm current availability and authorization directly with each program before enrolling.

MLS and Related Legal Studies Programs in Washington, D.C.

Programs included in this table were last reviewed in June 2026.

Nearby MLS and Related Programs for D.C.-Area Students

D.C.-area students willing to consider programs in Northern Virginia and the Baltimore-Washington corridor may also want to review these nearby options.

Programs included in this table were last reviewed in June 2026.

Are Online MLS Programs Accredited?

Online MLS programs can raise several questions about approval and accreditation. The simplest way to evaluate an online legal studies program is to ask three questions:

• Is the university institutionally accredited?
• Is the program authorized to enroll students in Washington, D.C.?
• If the program is offered by an ABA-approved law school, has the school addressed ABA acquiescence for the non-J.D. program?

Institutional accreditation and ABA approval are different. ABA approval applies to law schools and their J.D. programs. Non-J.D. programs, including many MLS, MSL, Master of Jurisprudence, M.A. in Legal Studies, and LL.M. programs, are different.

When an ABA-approved law school offers a non-J.D. program, the school may need ABA acquiescence, which means the ABA has determined that offering the program should not interfere with the law school’s J.D. program or compliance with ABA standards. The ABA explains that acquiescence in a non-J.D. degree is not approval of the degree itself, and the school may not announce that the degree is approved by the Council. Students should also check institutional accreditation, state authorization, admissions requirements, curriculum, cost, and whether the program fits their goals.

For more background on this distinction, see our guide to accredited Master of Legal Studies programs, including how ABA acquiescence differs from ABA approval of a J.D. program.

How Should Washington, D.C. Students Compare MLS Programs?

Before choosing an MLS, MSL, M.A. in Legal Studies, Master of Jurisprudence, or related legal studies program, take time to compare the details that will affect your experience and your next steps. A program may look like a good fit on the surface, but the right choice depends on your goals, schedule, budget, and the type of legal knowledge you want to build.

Start by confirming that the degree matches your career plans. If your goal is to become an attorney, a J.D. is usually the relevant path. If your goal is to better understand law, regulation, compliance, contracts, policy, or legal systems for use in a non-attorney role, a legal studies master’s program may be more aligned.

As you compare programs, ask:

• Am I choosing the right legal education path? Make sure the degree matches your goal. An MLS or related legal studies master’s degree is generally for people who want legal knowledge for non-attorney roles, while a J.D. is usually the path for students who want to become lawyers.
• Who is the program designed for? Check whether the program is designed for nonlawyers, working professionals, legal support staff, military-affiliated students, public-sector employees, attorneys, or a mix of students.
• Does the curriculum match the legal topics I want to understand? Review the actual course list, not just the program summary. Look for coursework tied to your interests, such as compliance, healthcare law, employment law, contracts, privacy, environmental regulation, government procurement, cybersecurity, public policy, dispute resolution, or risk management.
• Can I complete the program in the format I need? Confirm whether the program is online, hybrid, or campus-based, and whether classes are asynchronous, live, or a mix of both.
• What are the admissions requirements? Check whether the program requires the LSAT, GRE, GMAT, work experience, letters of recommendation, a resume, a statement of purpose, transcripts, or a minimum GPA.
• What will the program actually cost? Compare tuition, fees, books, technology fees, transfer-credit policies, military benefits, employer tuition assistance, and the total number of credits required.
• Is the school properly accredited and authorized? Check institutional accreditation and, for online programs, whether the school is authorized to enroll D.C. students.
• Does the school clearly explain the degree’s limits? An MLS or related legal studies master’s degree generally does not qualify graduates to practice law, represent clients, or sit for the bar exam.
• How does the degree connect to my target roles? Review job postings in D.C. and nearby markets to see whether employers ask for legal studies knowledge, compliance experience, a master’s degree, certifications, a J.D., bar admission, security clearance, or another credential.

The strongest choice is usually the program that fits both your current reality and your next step: what you want to study, how you need to study, what you can afford, and how you plan to use legal knowledge in your work.

Washington, D.C. Legal Studies and Legal Career Resources

Students considering legal studies programs in Washington, D.C. may also want to explore local legal, professional, and student-facing resources. These organizations can help prospective students understand D.C.’s legal system, learn about practice areas, find events, or explore adjacent career paths.

These resources are not required for MLS students, and some are designed primarily for attorneys, J.D. students, paralegals, or legal professionals. However, they can still be useful for D.C. residents who want to better understand how legal knowledge is used across different careers.

• District of Columbia Courts: The official District court system site, useful for understanding D.C. courts, court services, court rules, and judiciary employment.
• D.C. Court of Appeals Committee on Admissions: The official admissions authority for applicants to the D.C. Bar.
• D.C. App. Rule 46: Rule 46 governs admission to the District of Columbia Bar and is essential reading for students comparing J.D., LL.M., and bar admission pathways.
• D.C. Bar: The D.C. Bar serves admitted attorneys and offers resources, events, practice information, and a career center.
• D.C. Bar Career Center: This can help students explore legal and law-adjacent job postings in the D.C. market.
• Council of the District of Columbia: The Council site is useful for following District legislation, hearings, committees, and local policy issues.
• Code of the District of Columbia: The D.C. Law Library hosts the District’s official code, which can help students understand how local statutes are organized.
• D.C. Law Library: This resource provides access to the D.C. Code, codified D.C. laws, federal laws codified in the D.C. Code, and other legal materials.
• Legal Aid DC: A major civil legal services organization in the District; it may be useful for students interested in access to justice, legal services, and public-interest work.
• ABA-approved law schools: The ABA list is the primary place to verify whether a law school is ABA-approved for its J.D. program.

Additional field-specific Washington, D.C. resources

• D.C. Office of Human Rights: Useful for students interested in employment discrimination, housing discrimination, public accommodations, civil rights, and workplace compliance.
• D.C. Department of Health Care Finance: Useful for students interested in Medicaid administration, healthcare policy, healthcare compliance, and government health programs.
• D.C. Office of Contracting and Procurement: Useful for students interested in procurement, government contracting, vendor compliance, and public-sector purchasing.
• D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability: Useful for students interested in ethics, open government, public accountability, investigations, and public administration.
• D.C. Department of Energy and Environment laws and regulations: Useful for students interested in environmental regulation, energy policy, hazardous waste, stormwater, and sustainability law.
• D.C. Department of Human Resources — Join DC Government: Useful for students comparing District government jobs and reviewing qualification patterns across public-sector roles.
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia employment page: Useful for students interested in federal court administration and related court employment.
• Open DC: Useful for students interested in FOIA, open government, public transparency, and ethics resources.

Information last updated June 2026, using May 2025 BLS OEWS data. Job growth projections from BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.