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.

Best Master’s in Legal Studies (MLS) Online Programs of 2025

Legal knowledge can advance your career in diverse industries. Learn about the best online master’s in legal studies programs.

Edited by

Updated December 2, 2024

Why Trust BestColleges

3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed
6,000+ Users connected with programs every month
300+ College and university partners
40+ Expert reviewers

Learn more about our

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.

Learn More

Visit Site

Learn More

Visit Site

Learn More

Visit Site

In this Article

2025 Best Online Master’s in Legal Studies (MLS) Programs

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online

$12,348

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$32,290

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

86%

Acceptance Rate

60%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,210

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,628

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

53,187

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,348

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,290

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$12,348

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$32,290

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

60%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$11,210

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$35,628

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

53,187

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH4 yearCampus + Online

$9,444

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$17,436

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

85%

Acceptance Rate

63%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,352

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,720

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

24,640

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,444

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,436

Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, OH4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,444

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,436

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

63%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,352

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$23,720

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

24,640

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL4 yearCampus + Online

$8,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,408

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

84%

Acceptance Rate

83%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,645

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,410

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

4,661

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,408

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$8,858

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,408

Acceptance Rate

84%

Online Enrollment

83%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,645

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,410

Retention Rate

81%

Students Enrolled

4,661

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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 (MLS) 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.

Possible Careers With an Online Master’s in Legal Studies
Job	Median Salary (May 2023)	Job Outlook (2023-2033)
Law Librarian	$64,370	3%
Conciliator	$71,540	6%
Social and Community Service Manager	$77,030	8%
Accountant	$70,880	6%
Postsecondary Law Teacher	$127,360	8%
Medical and Health Services Manager	$110,680	29%
Cybersecurity Analyst	$120,360	33%
Sales Manager	$135,160	6%
Human Resources Manager	$136,350	6%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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

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.