The need for highly skilled legal professionals in Mississippi is evident in the many available roles in healthcare, public policy, government, and law enforcement that offer high-paying salaries.
Mississippi-based students who are thinking about starting or enhancing existing legal careers can increase their chances of success by earning a Pre-Law degree or a Master’s in Legal Studies degree for non-lawyers working in the legal field.
Learn more about one of the newest advanced legal degrees, and how it works, and gain insights into some of the best legal studies programs in Mississippi in the comprehensive guide to local programs below.
Best Masters in Legal Studies Programs in Mississippi
The best Master’s in Legal Studies programs in Mississippi include coursework offered by some of the top schools in the state.
The University of Mississippi Ole Miss, Mississippi Valley State University, and Jackson State University offer advanced legal studies courses culminating in either a Masters in Legal Studies graduate-level degree or a pre-law degree in legal studies for undergraduates who are considering taking the next steps to attend law school.
The great news about Mississippi’s legal studies programs is that students receive practical, theoretical, and hands-on immersive education on-campus and online that allows them to put their newly earned skills to use immediately after graduation.
Following is our overview of the best legal studies programs in Mississippi.
1 The University of Mississippi
Students seeking to begin advanced-level legal and criminal justice careers in Mississippi can take online or in-person classes at the University of Mississippi.
Their graduate degree program emphasizes high-level criminal justice education for legal students interested in taking on roles in Homeland Security, Disaster Response, Emergency Operations, and Public Safety.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Criminal Justice: The University of Mississippi offers three law enforcement-related legal concentrations for their Master of Criminal Justice program.
Students can opt for a concentration in Policy and Practice, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, or Criminal Justice Policy and Practice.
Courses Offered
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Criminal Justice Research Methods
- Criminal Justice Statistics
- Theories of Criminal Behavior
- Principles of Leadership
Program Strengths and Advantages
Students enrolled in the University of Mississippi’s legal studies programs can gain high-level education in a short period.
Earning a graduate-level legal degree allows locals to begin high-paying careers in public policy, homeland security, disaster assistance, and a variety of related fields.
Contact Information
- Address: 303 Hedleston Hall, University, MS - 386777
- Phone: 662-915-7900
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Mississippi Valley State University
The Department of Social Sciences at Mississippi Valley State University provides another route to comprehensive legal education in its mult-disciplinary legal studies program.
Their 120-credit hour Pre-Law in Legal Studies program readies students for a variety of advanced legal career roles that don’t require a Juris Doctorate.
Degree Programs Offered
Pre-Law/Legal Studies Degree: MVSU delivers a foundational legal education for local students seeking to begin or enhance their legal careers.
Their four-year program is designed to instill the foundational concepts of legal theory, legal research, legal writing, legal procedures, and legal ethics.
Courses Offered
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Fundamentals of Public Speaking
- Introduction to Legal Studies
- Legal Advocacy and Legal Reasoning I and II
Program Strengths and Advantages
MVSU graduates gain a comprehensive education that helps them to perform in a wide variety of legal careers as administrators, legal analysts, legal support staff, and contract administrators.
This program allows students to immediately begin working in high-paying careers while laying the foundation for those who want to continue their legal education by attending law school.
Contact Information
- Address: 14000 Highway 82 West - Itta Bena, Mississippi - 389
- Phone: 662-254-3352
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Jackson State University
JSU offers a multidisciplinary legal studies program through their College of Liberal Arts which prepares students for entry-level, intermediate, and advanced-level legal careers while leaving the door open for law school admissions.
Degree Programs Offered
Bachelor of Arts – Political Science (Legal Studies): Life Sciences – While Jackson State University only offers Bachelor’s level legal studies options, their comprehensive programs cover a wide variety of legal topics that prepare students for immediate career advancement in the legal field and law school admissions.
Courses Offered
- Introduction to Law
- Law, Politics, and Society I and II
- Legal Research and Writing
- LSAT Admissions Test – Elective
- State and Local Government
Program Strengths and Advantages
Students who enroll at JSU gain a comprehensive education that acts as a launchpad for a variety of legal careers in the most in-demand legal fields across the state.
Program participants also gain access to the Fannie Lou Hamer Pre-Law Society which offers networking opportunities for career advancement and development of the social, leadership, and professional skills required to excel in the legal field.
Contact Information
- Address: 1400 John R. Lynch Street, Jackson, Mississippi - 39217
- Phone: 601-979-2121
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | The University of Mississippi |
|
#2 | Mississippi Valley State University |
|
#3 | Jackson State University |
Legal Studies Salary Information
Masters in Legal Studies – Salary for Mississippi Graduates
Mississippi graduates from advanced legal studies degrees and pre-law programs typically command high-paying salaries that can add up to over $100,000 per year.
High-level careers in risk management, hospital administration, and business analysis are some of the best-paying careers in the state.
The following examples represent the average annual high and low salaries for MLS degree holders and pre-law grads working in Mississippi.
- Business Analyst: $86,045 – $104,387
- Compliance Officer: $56,000 – $120,000
- Contracts Negotiator: $63,391 – $83,158
- Health Services Administrator: $72,000 – $120,000
- Law Librarian: $52,090 – $69,408.00
- Legal Assistant: $49,000 – $75,000
- Paralegal: $48,000 – $77,000
- Risk Manager: $90,000 – $140,000
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$74K |
|
$82K |
|
$90K |
Average Salary in Mississippi
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Biloxi | $81,884 |
| Columbus | $78,834 |
| Gulfport | $81,237 |
| Greenville | $82,161 |
| Pascagoula | $81,515 |
| Meridian | $81,699 |
| Olive Branch | $86,228 |
| Southaven | $86,413 |
| Hattiesburg | $80,775 |
| Jackson | $82,161 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 270 | $46,470 | $22.34 | $66,760 | $37,100 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 50 | $51,020 | $24.53 | $70,430 | $35,940 |
| Jackson, MS | 900 | $49,940 | $24.01 | $73,690 | $35,450 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
What Is a Master of Legal Studies Degree?
A Master of Legal Studies is a legal degree designed to help non-lawyers boost their careers or begin new legal careers in the most in-demand fields – without having to attend law school.
MLS graduates focus on gaining specific, fundamental, and foundational advanced legal education that prepares them to take on interdisciplinary roles in almost every industry.
Legal studies graduates can typically find steady work in business, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, homeland security, government, education, and related roles upon graduating from an accredited or ABA-approved legal studies program.
How Long Does it Take to Earn an MLS Degree in Mississippi?
MLS degree programs are designed to provide entry-level and supplemental education for local students seeking to begin or enhance their legal careers – without attending law school.
Students who already hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution can typically expect to spend an additional one to three years completing their legal studies degree requirements.
Students who opt for Pre-Law degree programs typically spend four years earning 120 program credits while immersing themselves in litigation practice and completing their degree program requirements.
Program attendees who opt to take on dual degree programs or MLS concentrations and part-time MLS students can expect to take longer to complete their programs than full-time students.
Who Is Eligible to Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree in Mississippi?
Each Master of Legal Studies degree and Pre-Law degree program listed below has its own admission requirements and guidelines for prospective students.
Most MLS programs require that new applicants already hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any field.
Prospective students should thoroughly research their program entry requirements, which can include meeting academic standards, paying for tuition and fees, and completing applications to one or more schools, including local law schools and liberal arts colleges that host MLS programs for Mississippi-based students.
Talk to the program director or graduate advisor of your selected MLS or Pre-Law degree program to learn if you’re on the right degree track, and find out about key admissions deadlines, and policies before committing to a program.
Can I Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree Completely Online?
Yes! Many of today’s Master of Legal Studies degree programs make their curriculum available online for working or distance-based students.
Students connect to their course content, peers, and instructors through e-learning portals where they can find lectures, videos, assessments, and electronic grade books that show their academic progress.
Online MLS degree programs from accredited and ABA-approved institutions offer the same high-level legal education using the same instructional materials and methods as on-campus degree programs.
What Roles Can I Work in with a Master of Legal Studies Degree in MA?
Students graduating with an interdisciplinary legal degree become eligible to work in a wide variety of legal support, management, and administrative roles.
MLS holders can work as paralegals, legal analysts, health care administrators, law librarians, risk managers, contract administrators, and a variety of related roles.
Below are a few examples of high-paying career roles that hire Pre-Law and Master in Legal Studies graduates in Mississippi.
- Contract Negotiation
- Criminal Justice and Policy
- Cybersecurity and Data Protection
- Environmental Protection Law
- Healthcare Administration and Policy
- Intellectual Property Law
- Law Enforcement and Criminal Law
- Legal Analytics
- Paralegals
- Public Policy Administration
- Risk Management Professionals
- State, Federal, or Local Government Careers
What Does the Legal Landscape Look Like for Master’s in Legal Studies Degree Holders in Mississippi?
Mississippi’s advanced legal degree holders are in a unique position to secure high-level legal employment without having to officially complete law school or earn a Juris Doctorate.
Program graduates gain access to a variety of legal careers in the most in-demand areas of law within the state.
The most in-demand legal professions for MLS degree holders in Mississippi include some of the following industries.
- Criminal Justice Reform
- Education Law
- Environmental Law
- Family Law
- Healthcare Law
- Labor and Employment Law
- Real Estate and Property Law
What Courses Can I Expect to Take in a Master of Legal Studies Degree Program in Mississippi?
Legal studies hopefuls who enroll with some of the top programs in the state can expect to be exposed to foundational courses that explain how the US legal system works, rules and regulations of public policy, and ethical coursework that prepares them for taking on everyday challenges in their legal careers.
Although the exact course names and sequence will vary between programs, today’s MLS candidates can expect to take some of the following classes in their legal studies journey.
- Introduction to Law and Government
- Business and Transactional Law
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
- Law, Politics, and Society
- Legal Advocacy
- Legal Reasoning
- Legal Research and Writing
- State and Local Government
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
It’s great to have options for advancing legal knowledge. Do any of these programs offer specializations, like healthcare law or business law, for those looking to focus on a specific area?
Such valuable information for anyone considering a career in legal studies! I’d love to hear from alumni—how have these programs helped you in terms of career advancement or transitioning into a new field?