Laws permeate society daily without citizens even being aware.
Those working in human resources, healthcare, politics, and legal fields understand the importance of analyzing the impacts of how law systems affect society.
Several universities in Arizona offer a Masters in Legal Studies degree to prepare students for paralegal certification and entry-level positions.
Best of all, for those who do not have the flexibility of attending classes in person, various schools offer online Masters in Legal Studies degrees.
If you’re interested in learning more about the field and available schools in Arizona and online, keep reading!
1 American University Online
American University Washington College of Law offers an online Master of Legal Studies program created for students to better understand the law’s influence on the community and their daily lives.
In addition to the standard curriculum, students can select specialization tracks including Cybersecurity, Technology, Compliance, Healthcare, Business, and General Legal Studies.
Each track has foundational industry-specific knowledge and foundational legal training that improves your decision-making abilities and will impact an organization while legitimizing credibility with partners, co-workers, and clients.
Courses/Programs Offered
The curriculum comprises 30 credits that can be completed in a full-time or part-time format.
Fundamental classes include Communication and Negotiation, Drafting for Compliance Professionals, Introduction to Courts and Law, and Introduction to Regulation and Compliance.
Additional electives include Human Resource Compliance, Contract Drafting, Criminal Justice, Cyber Law, Healthcare Law and Compliance and Government Contracting.
At the end of the second term, students must select one of the specialization tracks, which features additional courses in that field.
Contact Information
- Address: 4300 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States
- Phone: 1-844-279-0702
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Arizona State University - Tempe
Arizona State University’s College of Law offers a Master of Legal Studies degree created for students who strive to learn the law without becoming a lawyer.
This program is offered in an online or in-person format and part-time or full-time enrollment, allowing for the ultimate flexibility.
Also, the school does not require an entrance exam, so there is a low barrier to entry to get the desired education.
Students can choose from 15 tracks to find the best legal fit.
Courses/Programs Offered
The Master of Legal Studies degree is a 30-credit hour program with 10 total classes ranging from foundational to elective specializations.
Core classes include topics like Cyber Crime, Introduction to Law and Courts, Contract Drafting, and Criminal Justice.
The 15 specializations include:
- Conflict Resolution
- Business Law
- Arizona Legal Paraprofessional
- Intellectual Property Law
- Federal Indian Law
- Science and Technology Law
- Criminal Law
- International Law
- Tribal Self-Governance
- Law and Sustainability
- Entrepreneurship Law and Strategy
- Health Law
- Indian Gaming
- International Rule of Law and Security
- Patent Practice
Contact Information
- Address: 1151 S Forest Ave Tempe, AZ 85281
- Phone: 480-965-6181
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Emory University Online
Emory University offers a Master of Legal Studies through its School of Law.
The program prepares students to excel in organizations across countless industries by gaining practical, online coursework to understand the nuances of state and federal governance, regulatory frameworks, and an understanding of the legal environment.
Graduates are well prepared for entry-level positions in any corporate landscape.
Courses/Programs Offered
Since the program is offered entirely online, students can accept a more flexible schedule, thus allowing those with personal commitments to earn the degree without commuting to a physical location.
There are two virtual synchronous experiences, one at the beginning of the program and one at the end, allowing students to connect with classmates.
In addition to the fundamental courses, students can specialize in technology, privacy, and cybersecurity law, Human Resources and employment, law, regulation, policy, and healthcare law, and business regulation and law.
Contact Information
- Address: 1301 Clifton Rd. NE Atlanta, Georgia 30322 USA
- Phone: 404-726-0067
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Fordham University Online
Fordham University offers an online Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance for those interested in a corporate legal team.
The goal of the program is to give non-lawyers the chance to earn a legal degree from a leading law school.
The program was designed to advance students’ knowledge of compliance with the flexibility of studying at a time and location that meets their schedule.
Best of all, no entrance exam is required, so students have an easier time being accepted into the program.
Courses/Programs Offered
The 12-month self-paced online Fordham program prepares students for entry-level positions within the corporate legal field.
With New York City in Fordham’s backdrops, students have a limitless number of options after graduating and the school assists with job placement.
The program offers live morning and evening classes, virtual interaction with expert faculty, and the chance to attend an in-person colloquium in New York City.
In addition to the typical fundamental courses, students can select from one of the following specialization tracks:
- Financial Services
- General
- Healthcare
- Human Resources
Contact Information
- Address: 113 W 60th Street New York, NY 10023
- Phone: 833-894-7711
- Website: Visit School Website
5 National Paralegal College
National Paralegal College offers a Master of Science in Legal Studies that was created for those who wish to transition into the legal field or those already working in a legal profession who desire to advance their careers.
This affordable option is more intense than a post-bachelor’s certificate program but provides a better practical and academic foundation for future legal professionals.
Students looking to start the program must hold a bachelor’s degree in a legal field.
Courses/Programs Offered
The program requires completion of 36 credits comprising 8 legal courses and four electives.
Core courses include Civil Procedure, Contracts, Constitutional Law, Legal Ethics, Legal Writing and Research, Real Property Law, Torts, and Wills, Trusts and Estates.
The four electives are from the Specialty Legal and Taxes courses.
Contact Information
- Address: 717 East Maryland Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85014
- Phone: 800-371-6105
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Northern Arizona University
Although Northern Arizona University doesn’t specifically have a Legal Studies degree, the school offers a Master of Science in Criminology, with a Legal Studies discipline.
The program’s focus is on how justice is applied to ethnic groups, women, and juveniles.
Therefore, if you wish to be on this side of the law, the Criminology program may be the right fit.
The coursework engages you in studying political and cultural issues related to the criminal justice system across the globe.
The program focuses on practical and social problems of creating and implementing law and justice policy in international, national, and local environments.
Courses/Programs Offered
The curriculum includes Violence, Youth, and School, Transnational Justice, Human Rights, World Indigenous People and Justice, Qualitative Research, and Criminology Theory.
Contact Information
- Address: South San Francisco Street, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
- Phone: 928-523-9011
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Pepperdine Online
Pepperdine University offers an online-only Master of Legal Studies program through the Caruso School of Law.
Students can take the program in part-time, which takes around 12 months, or full-time, which takes around 24 months, format.
Best of all, no preliminary testing is required, since the school prioritizes robust leadership qualities and dynamic legal comprehension over test scores.
Courses/Programs Offered
The curriculum is comprised of eight units, with foundational courses including torts, contracts, legal writing and research, and an introduction to U.S. legal systems and the law.
Students are also required to take eight general elective courses, with several options including education law, health law, business organizations, and intellectual property.
After earning a Master of Science in Legal Studies, students can then pursue a Master of Dispute Resolution which takes significantly less time but can have a greater career impact.
Contact Information
- Address: 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90263
- Phone: 844-707-9208
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Purdue Global
Purdue Global has an online Master in Legal Studies that teaches students practical knowledge by solving real-world challenges while applying legal principles to everyday situations.
The degree requires 11 classes with an average completion time of one year at 15 hours per week.
The online aspect of the program gives busy working professionals and those with other commitments the flexibility to complete the coursework on their schedule.
The faculty is comprised of experienced professionals in teaching, social science, and law.
Courses/Programs Offered
Foundational coursework includes Substantive Areas of Law, Legal History, Jurisprudence, Ethical Decision-Making, Legal Reasoning and Analysis, Legal Writing and Research, Dispute Resolution, and the Legal System.
The curriculum also offers various specialized electives to make you a more well-rounded graduate.
Upon program completion, students will know how to apply legal principles and concepts to complex legal issues, reflect on the moral and ethical implications of the law, apply leadership principles, and use the learned skills to analyze and solve issues.
Contact Information
- Address: 2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100. West Lafayette
- Phone: 844-787-3834
- Website: Visit School Website
9 University of Arizona
The James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona has a Master of Legal Studies one-year program that can be pursued in a part-time or full-time format.
The program was designed to enhance the effectiveness of legal professionals working with lawyers on legal issues, or in negotiations or regulations.
The program is available entirely online in a self-paced format to give students the ultimate flexibility.
Courses/Programs Offered
The program comprises 30 units taken in a part-time or full-time format with fall, spring, and summer start options.
Students can also select from 12 concentrations and interdisciplinary courses to further expand their knowledge of the law.
For those who wish to prefer a physical learning environment, in-person classes are available at the Maricopa County location only.
Contact Information
- Address: 1200 E University Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
- Phone: +1 520-621-2211
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Legal Studies Salary Information
The median annual income in Arizona for a graduate of a Master of Legal Studies program is $114,000.
This is slightly higher than the national median salary of $112,000.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$81K |
|
$90K |
|
$99K |
Average Salary in Arizona
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Chandler | $91,311 |
| Mesa | $91,311 |
| Sierra Vista | $86,782 |
| Peoria | $91,126 |
| Surprise | $90,479 |
| Tempe | $91,311 |
| Tucson | $87,707 |
| Scottsdale | $91,311 |
| Phoenix | $91,311 |
| Gilbert | $91,311 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 90 | $55,770 | $26.81 | $80,530 | $40,490 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 60 | $55,620 | $26.74 | $76,630 | $37,820 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 5,830 | $68,380 | $32.88 | $96,330 | $41,200 |
| Prescott, AZ | 140 | $54,330 | $26.12 | $76,130 | $39,350 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | 80 | $42,570 | $20.47 | $59,870 | $32,460 |
| Tucson, AZ | 810 | $56,670 | $27.24 | $76,680 | $36,940 |
| Yuma, AZ | 90 | $57,850 | $27.81 | $76,110 | $37,730 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Legal Studies Programs by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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