Best Online Master’s in Legal Studies Programs 2024
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In diverse fields like human resources, healthcare, management, or accounting, understanding the law can help you advance your career. And a master’s in legal studies strengthens advanced legal skills.
If you want to work in areas like contract negotiations, compliance, mediation, or intellectual property, an online legal studies degree might be a good fit. You can prepare for diverse legal studies careers in as little as one year.
Unlike law school, an online master's degree in legal studies doesn’t train you to become a lawyer. Instead, you’ll learn how to apply the law in your industry — in less time than it takes to become an attorney.
Popular Online Master's in Legal Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2024 Best Online Master's in Legal Studies Programs
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $366
Out-of-State | $366
Credits to Graduate: 36
At the University of Illinois Springfield, you can earn an online master’s degree in legal studies in a flexible, dynamic learning environment. The public university uses the same curriculum and faculty for its on-campus and online legal studies programs. You’ll take classes synchronously and asynchronously to connect with classmates and professors.
After completing core course requirements, you can customize your degree with 20 credits of electives. You’ll pay a low e-tuition rate at UIS, regardless of your state residency status.
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $650
Out-of-State | $650
Credits to Graduate: 30
At the University of Arizona, the online master’s in legal studies program covers regulation, compliance, human resources, and negotiations. You’ll leave the program with an in-depth understanding of laws and regulations.
Enroll full-time or part-time, with concentration options in criminal law, environmental law, human rights, intellectual property, and compliance. You can also choose a unique concentration, such as mining law and policy, to work in a specialized field. Before moving into specialized coursework, you’ll take core courses in procedure, torts, constitutional law, and legal analysis.
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $676
Out-of-State | $676
Credits to Graduate: 30
West Virginia’s public university offers a master of legal studies program that takes as little as 18 months to complete. Designed for professionals who work in law-related fields like government, business, and journalism, the program provides an advanced understanding of the American legal system.
Choose from concentrations in justice systems, homeland security, or healthcare. These 9-credit concentrations will help you specialize your course of study. You can earn a master’s in a fully online format with no residency requirements.
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $752
Out-of-State | $752
Credits to Graduate: 39 credits
A private institution in Missouri, Webster University dates back to 1915. You can earn a master’s in legal studies online at Webster. During the graduate program, you’ll study legal research and writing, American Constitutional law, and advanced topics in law. You’ll also complete a research and writing project.
Faculty bring experience as practicing attorneys and judges. The curriculum encourages graduate students to apply their legal knowledge and skills to real-world situations. While earning your master’s degree, you can also add a certificate in paralegal studies to specialize your skills.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
What Is a Master's of Legal Studies?
A master’s of legal studies provides graduate-level training in the law in less time than law school. It’s a good option if you work closely with legal professionals or your job requires an advanced understanding of legal writing, regulations, or legal research.
During your legal studies master’s program, you’ll take courses in contract law, intellectual property, torts, and legal procedures. Depending on the program, you can also choose from concentrations such as:
- Corporate law
- Contract negotiation
- Compliance
- Intellectual property law
- Healthcare law
A legal studies degree isn’t a JD — you can’t become a lawyer with this degree. But it can help you move into roles that require in-depth knowledge of the legal field.
What Can I Do With an Online Master's in Legal Studies Degree?
Whether you want to add legal expertise to your current knowledge or move into a new field, a master’s in legal studies can help you reach your career goals.
With a master’s in legal studies, you can work as a compliance officer, human resources manager, contract negotiation manager, or health services manager. This versatile degree can give you an edge in many industries.
Professional organizations help legal studies graduate students and professionals connect with colleagues and expand their skills. Specialized organizations such as the Academy of Legal Studies in Business, the American Health Law Association, or the National Association for Consumer Advocates can help you apply your legal knowledge in your field.
| Job | Median Salary (May 2023) | Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Law Librarian | $64,370 | 3% |
| Conciliator | $71,540 | 5% |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $77,030 | 9% |
| Accountant | $70,880 | 4% |
| Postsecondary Law Teacher | $127,360 | 8% |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $110,680 | 28% |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $120,360 | 32% |
| Sales Manager | $135,160 | 4% |
| Human Resources Manager | $136,350 | 5% |
Is an Online Master's of Legal Studies Worth It?
Earning a graduate degree can improve your job opportunities and compensation. Because of its versatility, a legal studies degree can help you move into specialized roles, such as compliance officer or contract manager. Legal knowledge can also help you advance your career in business, human resources, healthcare, and other industries.
Before applying to graduate programs, research your job opportunities and earning potential to make sure your investment pays off.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master's in Legal Studies Degrees
What's the difference between paralegal studies and legal studies?
Paralegal studies prepares graduates for careers as paralegals, while legal studies covers broader legal topics. However, the content of these two programs is often similar, and some universities use the two names interchangeably. Check with specific programs to learn more.
Is a master's in legal studies the same as law school?
No, a master’s in legal studies is not the same as law school, even though you’ll take classes from law professors. Law school typically means a three-year program that awards a JD and prepares graduates to become practicing attorneys. In contrast, a master’s in legal studies typically takes 1-2 years and offers advanced coursework in law for professionals who interact with the legal field — but do not practice law themselves.
How useful is a master's in legal studies degree?
A master’s in legal studies can be very useful if you work closely with laws and regulations. For example, in fields like contract negotiations, conflict resolution, human resources, and compliance, graduate-level legal classes can help you advance your career.
Is an online master's in legal studies degree valuable?
Yes, an online master’s in legal studies can be a valuable degree. You’ll gain advanced legal research and writing skills while also exploring fields like contract law, legal procedure, and corporate law. An accredited online program meets the same academic standards as in-person programs.
What is the difference between LL.M. and MLS?
A master of law (LL.M.) and a master of legal studies (MLS) are both master’s programs in the legal field, but they serve very different needs. You’ll need a JD or equivalent to get into an LL.M. program, which offers focused training in particular legal specialties.
In contrast, an MLS is designed for professionals who benefit from legal training but do not plan to become lawyers. You can enter an MLS program with a bachelor’s degree in legal studies or a related field.
