Iowa Bachelors degree holders if you have been thinking about enhancing your legal education without attending law school or earning a Juris Doctorate for lawyers – this guide is for you!
Our guide provides an overview of the Master’s in Legal Studies degree for non-lawyers and bachelor’s degree holders in Iowa.
MLS programs allow students who already have a degree from an accredited institution to earn an advanced legal degree without having to attend law school.
Get a brief overview of what’s happening in Iowa’s legal landscape for professionals, learn about what careers you can work with a Master in Legal Studies degree, and gain insights on some of the best MLS programs for Iowa students.
At this time, there aren’t any standalone Master’s in Legal Studies programs in Iowa.
Our guide provides information on schools in nearby states and web-based MLS programs that allow students to complete their studies online.
Best Masters in Legal Studies Programs in Iowa
Iowa students searching for local Masters in Legal Studies programs will find that there aren’t currently any standalone MLS degree programs in the state.
The good news is there are a variety of online MLS degree programs available at nearby schools that make it easy for Iowa-based students to earn their Masters in Legal Studies degree online.
Below are examples of nearby schools offering online MLS degree programs for students nationwide.
1 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Program Overview
The University of Nebrasa-Lincoln is a great option for Iowa students seeking to earn an MLS degree as non-lawyers graduating from an accredited institution.
Their thirty-three credit hour program features a mix of foundational legal courses and electives that prepare non-lawyers for legal work in the field without working as practicing attorneys.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Legal Studies: The MLS program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln accepts students who have a bachelor’s degree and those who are pending graduation and meet the rest of their admissions requirements.
Accepted students begin coursework in the fall and can opt for specializations and elective courses that accent their MLS credentials.
Courses Offered
- Common Law
- Contract Law
- Legal Analysis and Writing
- Property Law
- Tort Law
Program Strengths and Advantages
The College of Law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is one of the leading area law schools that educates potential lawyers and non-lawyers on the latest legal concepts in general law.
Their program also educates students on some of the most innovative laws related to space, cybersecurity, and national security law.
Students who enroll in their online MLS program can take part-time or full-time courses towards earning their Master of Legal Studies degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 1875 North 42nd Street, Lincoln, Nebraska - 68583
- Phone: 402-472-2161
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of Missouri-Columbia Law School
Program Overview
The University of Missouri at Columbia Law School provides an online pathway for online students who want to earn a legal degree as non-lawyers.
Interested students can apply to their Master of Laws program which awards an LLM degree in Dispute Resolution.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution: Career-oriented students seeking to enhance their advanced legal education by earning a Masters-level degree in legal studies enroll in the Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution program at Mizzou to learn the fundamentals of US Law, negotiation, and mediation skills that allow them to work as legal professionals without becoming a lawyer.
Courses Offered
- LL.M Arbitration Seminars
- Dispute System Design
- Non-Binding Methods of Dispute Resolution
- Dispute Resolution in the Digital Age
- Conflict and Conflict Management
Program Strengths and Advantages
This program features a non-degree-seeking enrollment option where prospective legal students can audit up to twelve credit hours of related coursework while deciding if this program is right for their careers.
Students who begin their degree program in the fall can take electives in Public Policy and Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution.
Contact Information
- Address: 212 Heinkel, 201 South 7th Street, Columbia, Missouri - 65211
- Phone: 573-882-2491
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|
#2 | University of Missouri-Columbia Law School |
Legal Studies Salary Information
Masters in Legal Studies – Salary for Iowa Graduates
Advanced legal degree holders in Iowa have a variety of high-income career options.
Holding a multidisciplinary legal studies degree makes MLS holders eligible to work in some of the most in-demand career roles in business, education, healthcare, government, finance, and national security.
The following are examples of high and low annual salary averages for Iowa MLS graduates.
- Compliance Officer: $60,000 – $130,000
- Contracts Administrator: $48,000 – $82,000
- Government Analyst: $83,299 – $110,079
- Health Services Administrator: $77,000 -$130,000
- Paralegal: $52,000 – $82,000
- Risk Manager: $97,000 – $150,000
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$80K |
|
$88K |
|
$97K |
Average Salary in Iowa
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Ames | $88,816 |
| Des Moines | $89,647 |
| Ankeny | $89,647 |
| Dubuque | $87,245 |
| Cedar Falls | $85,211 |
| Iowa City | $87,707 |
| Cedar Rapids | $88,446 |
| Sioux City | $82,161 |
| Council Bluffs | $87,891 |
| Waterloo | $85,858 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 280 | $60,270 | $28.98 | $81,830 | $38,440 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 270 | $56,270 | $27.05 | $76,770 | $37,040 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 1,090 | $64,880 | $31.19 | $84,760 | $45,810 |
| Dubuque, IA | 50 | $57,950 | $27.86 | $79,190 | $38,480 |
| Iowa City, IA | 130 | $54,970 | $26.43 | $80,870 | $34,780 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 100 | $57,200 | $27.5 | $82,280 | $37,020 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 110 | $57,210 | $27.5 | $79,250 | $37,950 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
What Is a Master in Legal Studies Degree?
A Master in Legal Studies degree is a special legal degree designed to educate students and non-lawyers on the fundamentals and concepts needed to understand and interpret US Law for making critical business decisions, interpreting contracts, and administering policies.
Many students confuse the Master of Legal Studies degree with a Juris Doctorate.
A Juris Doctorate is awarded to legal students who complete the required number of courses and program hours to work as licensed attorneys.
MLS degrees instill foundational legal skills that prepare degree holders for high-income and fast-paced employment in under four years as non-lawyers.
How Long Does it Take to Earn an MLS Degree in Iowa?
Students who enroll in web-based legal studies programs can typically complete their MLS program requirements through full-time or part-time study within one to three years.
MLS candidates who opt for dual degrees and legal specializations will spend longer completing their programs than full-time students, because of the additional coursework needed to earn credits for a specialization.
Part-time students who build their home and work schedule around their education will also take longer to complete MLS programs than students who attend full-time.
Who Is Eligible to Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree in Iowa?
Most Master of Legal Studies programs require new applicants to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Each program has its eligibility, admissions, and program requirements.
Potential new applicants need to complete their due diligence ahead of choosing a program.
Prospective students should research key application deadlines, tuition-related fees, costs, and degree awards before committing to a program.
Visit the website of your desired MLS program and contact the graduate admissions department and academic advising department to learn more about degree requirements, degree awards, and specialized degree program tracks for students who opt for MLS concentrations or dual degree programs.
Prospective MLS graduates should note that some programs require you to apply to a desired college graduate school program and the legal studies program administered by their law school to earn an advanced legal degree.
Can I Earn a Master’s in Legal Studies Degree Completely Online?
Yes! Even though Iowa doesn’t currently offer its standalone programs for non-lawyers who want to further their legal education, prospective students can enroll in MLS programs that operate completely online.
Examples of top-rated schools that accept online MLS students from Iowa and nationwide can be found in the list below.
What Roles Can I Work in with a Master of Legal Studies Degree in Iowa?
Earning a Master of Legal Studies degree can help aspiring non-lawyers secure high-income legal careers in agriculture, business, healthcare, and a variety of public sector roles.
Iowa’s potential MLS degree holders can begin exciting new careers and find master ‘s-level employment in some of the following areas.
- Agricultural Law: Providing legal advice for land use, zoning, and agricultural contracts.
- Contract Administrator: Contract review, execution, amendment, and contract management.
- Corporate Law: Conduct legal research, analysis, due diligence, and corporate governance.
- Environmental Law: Regulatory compliance, litigation support, permitting, and licensing.
- Family Law: Client intake, case management, documentation prep, discovery, e-discovery.
- Healthcare Administration: Hospital administration, management of medical records, health care fraud and abuse.
- Law Enforcement Agent: Policy development and review, internal investigations, legal training, and education.
- Legal Analysts: Data analysis, risk assessment, due diligence, policy analysis, legal consulting.
- Natural Resources Law: Permitting and licensing, environmental impact assessments, sustainability initiatives.
- Paralegals: Legal database management, client communications, litigation support, regulatory compliance.
- Public Policy: Policy development, stakeholder engagement, legislative tracking, public outreach.
- State, Federal, or Local Government: Grant management, public records requests, legislative tracking, and community outreach.
Iowa’s Legal Landscape for Master’s Degree Holders
The following areas of law currently dominate Iowa’s legal landscape.
- Agricultural Law: Iowa’s focus on agriculture means that there is always a need for skilled legal professionals with specialized skills in this area.
- Corporate Law: Iowa Master’s degree holders can begin or enhance their legal careers in corporate law, where professionals review contracts and provide local business leaders with strategic legal advice.
- Environmental Law: Environmental protection and environmental laws are key areas of focus for Master’s degree-seeking students looking to further their legal education and careers.
Prospective master’s degree level legal candidates should research their desired programs and contact the program advisor or graduate admissions advisor to create an educational roadmap that leads them to the best Master’s in Legal studies program for their current career tracks.
What Courses Can I Expect to Take in a Master of Legal Studies Degree Program in Iowa?
Iowa’s unique legal landscape provides several viable career options for MLS degree holders in the areas of agriculture, business, environmental law, real estate law, and a variety of related areas where master-level legal professionals are in high demand.
Master’s in Legal Studies candidates can expect to take a variety of interdisciplinary courses that include some or all of the following:
- Agricultural Law
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Business and Transactional Law
- Criminal Justice
- Environmental Law
- Family Law
- Healthcare and Compliance Law
- Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate Law
- Tax and Estate Planning Law
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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