People who want to work in a career that requires knowledge of the law and who want to work closely with the law can do so without becoming a lawyer.
Students who earn a Masters in Legal Studies have several career options, which is one reason that students earn the degree.
Understanding the difference between going to law school and earning a Master of Legal Studies is important for students.
Knowing the benefits of earning a Master of Legal Studies is also important for students who want to interact with lawyers or other legal professionals, but who do not want to become a lawyer.
Students also want to know about salary and job growth.
These are points that determine whether earning a Master’s in Legal Studies is worth it an individual decision.
Juris Doctor vs Master of Legal Studies
Law school graduates earn a Juris Doctor (JD).
They take the bar exam and are qualified to practice law.
Students who earn a Master of Legal Studies cannot sit for the bar exam or practice law.
Lawyers and people who earn a Master’s in Legal Studies use their extensive knowledge of the law to work closely with the legal system.
Earning a Master’s in Legal Studies allows graduates to choose from a variety of careers.
Students can start their careers after completing their program, which typically takes one to two years.
Compare this time to the time that it takes to complete law school, which usually is three years of rigorous study.
Law students must pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Master’s in Legal Studies students only need to complete a bachelor’s degree.
What Are the Benefits of Earning a Master in Legal Studies?
Employers increasingly seek employees who know the law, even though they are not lawyers.
Students who earn a Master’s in Legal Studies have the skills that employers want, which helps them to earn a degree that they consider to be worth it to achieve their goals.
Gaining Technical Knowledge and Interpersonal Skills
Many industries need professionals who have the knowledge and skills for strict compliance at the local, state, and federal levels.
Employers want their employees to have strong technical and soft skills, including critical thinking skills, excellent communication skills, adaptability, and time management skills.
Earning a Masters in Legal Studies gives graduates the technical skills to work in their career and the interpersonal skills that may help them stand out among other applicants, or that help them advance their career.
Job Security
The goal of employees who have a Master’s in Legal Studies may not be to own the organization.
Students who complete their degree help make themselves indispensable at their current jobs or when they want to advance their careers.
Understanding complicated laws and regulations that affect organizations or agencies takes someone who knows these areas.
Students in a Master’s in Legal Studies program learn to read and understand legal documents.
They learn how those documents may affect organizations.
Communicating with lawyers and other legal professionals is important in many professions.
Employers often recognize the importance of keeping employees who have this skill.
They also need employees who have conflict-resolution skills.
Excellent Career Options
Earning some degrees does not give people the increased career options that are enjoyed by Master of Legal Studies graduates.
Students often find jobs in compliance, human resources, finance, legal journalism, medical and healthcare, and other industries.
The careers chosen by graduates of Master of Legal Studies programs offer good salaries.
Higher Salary and Job Growth
One reason that many people earn a Master of Legal Studies is the higher salary that they often receive when they advance their careers.
People who earn a degree may have a higher starting salary, compared to those who do not have a degree.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a “much faster than average” job growth for several careers that people choose when they earn a Master of Legal Studies.
The average salary for financial examiners is $84,300, while medical and health services managers earn an average salary of $110,680.
The average salary for human resources managers is $136,350.
The average salary for compliance officers is $93,700.
What Will You Learn in a Master of Legal Studies Program?
Today’s students often need a program that allows them to continue working and to take care of other responsibilities.
Schools often offer their Master in Legal Studies program in an online or hybrid format.
Students learn the same things, no matter which format they choose, when they enroll at a school.
Students gain a working knowledge of the law and the skills that are needed to start or accelerate their careers.
They learn how industries interact with the law.
Students gain the expertise to keep their employer within the legal regulations required of their industry.
People who search for Master in Legal Studies programs may discover that the programs are similar among various schools.
Some courses focus on specialized areas.
The programs may vary in the number of credits required or how long it takes to complete the degree.
The Northeastern University Master of Legal Studies program is an online program.
Students take one course per eight-week term, over three semesters.
The school offers five concentrations.
UCLA offers students the option to complete their Master of Legal Studies program on-campus, online, or in a hybrid format.
The school offers nine concentration options. Students who choose the Business Law concentration take courses that include Compliance Law, and Internet and Media Law in the Age of AI.
Courses in the Entertainment and Media Law concentration include Music Industry Law and International Intellectual Property.
Some other concentrations include Health Law and Policy, Public Interest Law, and Government and National Security.
The University of Missouri – Kansas City offers a 30-credit Master of Legal Studies program that students complete over five semesters.
Courses include Legal Technology Competency and Professional Writing with Legal Issues.
Students complete other courses based on three concentration options.
The Vanderbilt University Online Master of Legal Studies program helps prepare students to work with legal professionals by offering foundational courses along with first-year law students.
Topics include the structure of U.S. Law, legal analysis, negotiations, and courses related to criminal law, business law, and employment law.
Key Takeaways
A Master in Legal Studies program focuses on how various industries interact with the law, and compliance with various laws and regulatory standards, while a law degree prepares graduates to practice law as lawyers or judges.
Law school students must pass the bar exam in their state, while Master of Legal Studies students may work in any state since they do not have to sit for the bar exam or earn a Juris Doctor.
Students can choose from a variety of careers that are expected to have excellent job growth and a good salary.
Earning a Master’s in Legal Studies is worth it when students invest time, energy, motivation, and money in achieving their career goals.
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