If you live in Hawaii and you have already earned a bachelor’s degree, the next logical step in advancing your career is to continue your education by earning a master’s degree.
Local students interested in pursuing advanced legal careers who haven’t yet attended law school can opt for a Master’s in Legal Studies degree for a solid foundation as non-lawyers.
There are currently no standalone MLS degree programs available in Hawaii.
Our guide provides an overview of a few of the best distance-based MLS programs that accept new MLS applicants from Hawaii and nationwide.
Hawaii’s Legal Landscape for Master’s Degree Holders
Hawaii’s legal landscape features a need for Master’s level legal professionals with specialized knowledge in areas including environmental law, natural resources law, land use law, tourism law, maritime law, and Native Hawaiian rights.
MLS degree holders specializing in these categories can find fast-paced, fulfilling, and high-income employment where legal experts are in the highest demand.
Best Masters in Legal Studies Programs in Hawaii
Now that you understand what the Master in Legal Studies degree is and how it can benefit Hawaii-based students, let’s dive into a list of some of the best Masters in Legal Studies programs available for local students.
The programs listed below are some of the best based on crucial factors like academic reputation, student satisfaction, MLS curriculum, and faculty expertise.
1 Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law - Online
The Online Master of Legal Studies program at ASU is listed among the top programs in the country.
Their thirty-credit-hour graduate degree program offers twelve legal specializations and accepts students from Hawaii and across the US.
The MLS program at ASU is administered by the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Legal Studies (MLS): The MLS degree program at ASU provides comprehensive legal education on foundational concepts.
It also allows students to branch out by choosing one of the many specializations available in some of the most sought-after categories.
Courses Offered
- Criminal Law
- Entrepreneurship Law
- Federal Indian Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- International Law
- Science and Technology Law
Program Strengths and Advantages
The ASU program stands out as one of the best in the US and has been listed in top publications like US News and World Report for its outstanding program.
Legal students who take web-based courses can learn at their own pace and branch out into a variety of in-demand specializations that can increase their legal knowledge, boost their salaries, and prepare them for leadership roles with top US agencies.
Contact Information
- Address: 1151 South Forest Avenue, Tempe, Arizona - 85281
- Phone: 855-278-5080
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of Southern California - Online
Students seeking to enroll in the best Master of Legal Studies programs in the US choose the University of Southern California’s online degree program as it stands out as one of the best in the nation.
USC online offers its Master of Studies in Law in partnership with the Gould School of Law for bachelor’s degree holders seeking to increase their foundational legal education without attending law school.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Studies in Law (MSL): USC’s Master of Studies in Law program is a graduate-level program that trains students on foundational legal concepts like legal research, ethics, communications, and some complex legal matters.
Their program also features ten legal concentrations where students can hone their skills and prepare to work in areas like business law, government, policy, compliance, or social work administration.
Courses Offered
- Business Law
- Entertainment Law and Industry
- Human Resources Law and Compliance
- Privacy Law and Security
- Technology and Entrepreneurial Law
Program Strengths and Advantages
Prospective students applying to USC online are not required to take the LSAT which lowers the barrier for entry.
Accepted students are among some of the top legal professionals in the US and can work in a variety of legal environments as non-lawyers without a JD.
Contact Information
- Address: 650 West 35th Place, Los Angeles, California - 90089
- Phone: 213-821-5916
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law - Online
The Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Drexel University provides another route to online MLS education for bachelor’s degree holders living in Hawaii.
This top-rated online Master of Legal Studies program stands out among the best in the country for providing comprehensive legal education for non-lawyers seeking a career boost.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Legal Studies: The MLS program at Drexel University trains legal students on key concepts including US law, and legal regulations, and offers a “Flexible MLS” option that gives students more control of their legal education.
Drexel’s program features face-to-face instruction for live instructors and peer engagement for immersive learning from the comfort of home.
Courses Offered
- Cybersecurity and Information Policy
- Financial and Regulatory Compliance
- Healthcare Compliance
- Higher Education Compliance
- Human Resources Compliance
Program Strengths and Advantages
Drexel’s web-based students are eligible to take on concentrations in some of the most in-demand areas of law dealing with government policy, cybersecurity technology, healthcare compliance, and even sports law compliance.
Contact Information
- Address: 3320 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 19104
- Phone: 215-895-1529
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law - Online |
|
#2 | University of Southern California - Online |
|
#3 | Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law - Online |
Legal Studies Salary Information
Masters in Legal Studies – Salary for Hawaii Graduates
Graduates with an MLS degree in Hawaii have the potential to work in high-paying careers in healthcare, business, public policy, and related roles.
The following represents the current annual high and low salaries for Master’s degree-level legal professionals working in Hawaii.
- Business Analyst: $92,000 – $130,000
- Compliance Officer: $66,000 – $140,000
- Contracts Administrator: $52,000 – $89,000
- Hospital Administrator: $200,000 – $410,000
- Human Resources Generalist: $73,000 – $89,5708
- Public Policy Analyst: $86,000 – $110,000
- Risk Manager: $110,000 – $160,000
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$87K |
|
$96K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Hawaii
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Ewa Beach | $96,117 |
| Hilo | $95,470 |
| Waipahu | $96,024 |
| Honolulu | $96,117 |
| Kahului | $95,470 |
| Kaneohe | $96,117 |
| Pearl City | $96,117 |
| Kurtistown | $95,470 |
| Ocean View | $95,470 |
| Waialua | $95,470 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI | 140 | $71,660 | $34.45 | $108,760 | $48,640 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 900 | $63,790 | $30.67 | $82,590 | $43,760 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
What Is a Master of Legal Studies Degree?
A Master of Legal Studies is a graduate-level degree that acts as a stepping stone for bachelor’s degree holders interested in entering the legal field as non-lawyers.
The MLS degree provides foundational and advanced legal education for students seeking to advance their careers, boost their earning potential, and take on key leadership roles in areas of public policy, business, healthcare, education, government, and natural resources.
Hawaii graduates who earn an MLS degree possess a unique set of skills that can be applied across a variety of legal disciplines.
This interdisciplinary studies degree can also help lay the legal groundwork for students considering careers as legal analysts, paralegals, and those planning on becoming lawyers by earning a Juris Doctorate.
How Long Does it Take to Earn an MLS Degree in Hawaii?
Earning an MLS degree through a full-time or part-time web-based program typically takes most students between one and three years.
The actual time it takes to complete your Master of Legal Studies degree can vary based on factors like full-time or part-time attendance, extracurricular coursework, and taking on a concentration or specialization that can extend the graduation time frame.
Who Is Eligible to Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree in Hawaii?
Eligibility requirements for applying to the best Master in Legal Studies programs depend on several key factors.
While most US schools will consider applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree in almost any discipline from an accredited US school, each program has its specific entry requirements.
For example, some programs will require applicants to apply and gain acceptance into both the graduate school and the law school that administers their MLS programs.
Talk to the academic advisor or graduate program advisor of your selected program to learn more about MLS program entry requirements, tuition and fees, and potential career paths upon graduation.
Can I Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree Completely Online?
Yes! The good news for prospective MLS students living in states like Hawaii where there are a limited number of campus-based programs available is that they can earn their Master of Legal Studies degree completely online from an accredited or ABA-approved institution with no loss in program quality.
Today, students take web-based degree programs through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning where they log in to their classes to engage and interact with their instructors and fellow students, and complete program requirements via an online portal.
What Roles Can I Work in with a Master of Legal Studies Degree in Hawaii?
The Master of Legal Studies degree is an interdisciplinary degree which means that MLS degree holders have opportunities for starting or advancing their careers in a variety of in-demand industries.
The following are examples of career roles for MLS degree holders seeking career advancement and high-paying leadership roles across Hawaii.
- Compliance
- Contract Administration
- Contract Negotiation
- Corporate Tax Law
- Environmental Law
- Healthcare Administration
- Intellectual Property Law
- Law Enforcement and Criminal Law
- Legal Analysis
- Paralegal
- Public Policy
- Risk Management
- State, Federal, or Local Government
What Courses Can I Expect to Take in a Master of Legal Studies Degree Program in Hawaii?
Graduate students from Hawaii who enroll in top Master of Legal Studies programs with the colleges and universities listed above gain access to a wealth of in-demand legal education courses.
Students can gain a solid foundational understanding of US Law and policy while learning specialized rules and policies in a variety of interdisciplinary fields.
The following are examples of MLS courses students can expect to take when enrolling in the best MLS degree programs online.
- Business Law
- Criminal Law
- Cybersecurity and Information Policy
- Entertainment and Sports Law
- Financial and Regulatory Compliance
- Healthcare Compliance
- Higher Education Compliance
- Privacy Law and Security
Some of the courses above are contained in MLS concentrations and specialized legal degree programs.
The courses you will take depend on your program requirements and recommendations from your academic advisor.
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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