Why work towards attaining an MLS degree?
It is a field of study that sustains candidates’ knowledge of specialized and intricate legal issues.
And it’s a great asset for many professions.
For instance, it’s useful for businesspeople seeking to handle more of their company’s legal work.
It’s also excellent for legal professionals or highly regulated industries, such as healthcare or law-adjacent professions, court reporters, or academia.
A Master of Studies in Law degree is often geared toward working professionals.
Law schools often offer solutions for students pursuing part-time or online studies.
Moreover, the chance to customize elective law courses allows candidates to tailor their coursework to a student’s professional goals.
A Masters in law can often be completed in one year.
MLS and MSL
Legal studies and law degrees can be earned at the graduate level as a Master of Science in Law (MSL) or Master of Legal Studies (MLS)—fundamentally, the same degree with various names depending on the university issuing it.
Juris Master (J.M.)
The Juris Master (J.M.) is most suitable for candidates who don’t intend to become practicing attorneys but want to study law.
A Juris Master (J.M.) and a LL.M differ because:
- The J.M. program starts with an introduction to law; it is best for students new to the formal study of legal practice.
- Enjoy a range of electives.
- Candidates may take classes from other law programs.
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
The LL.M., or Masters of Laws, is a professional law degree that tracks the J.D. or the LL.B.
The LL.M. allows candidates to specialize.
Candidates pursuing an LL.M. often prepare to specialize in a particular professional area of law, such as Taxation, Environmental Law, Human Rights, Public International Law, or Commercial Law.
An LL.M. lets candidates focus on a legal theater, earning expertise, knowledge, and elevated credentials.
The LL.M. is typically a one-year full-time program.
However, some two-year-long LL.M. programs may include additional coursework—for example, the technicalities of legal English.
1 University of Missouri School of Law
The University of Missouri School of Law is proud of its history of training excellent attorneys who have worked in the law throughout Missouri and the world.
Courses Offered
In addition to the J.D. program, Mizzou Law provides educational advancement via an LLM in Dispute Resolution and an LLM in American Law.
Plus:
- Four Law clinics.
- Ten dual degree programs.
- A generous selection of elective courses.
- Students can contribute to one of three law journals.
- Earn experiential learning credits through one of our four clinics.
- Attain international experience via the study abroad program.
Juris Doctor (JD)
The juris doctor (JD) is a three-year graduate program.
Candidates complete 89 credit hours of law courses, approximately one-half of which are required coursework.
LLM in Dispute Resolution
The first in the U.S., the Mizzou LLM in Dispute Resolution, is offered in person and online and was created to assist lawyers and other dispute resolution professionals with the aptitudes, skills, and legal knowledge to manage conflict through the design and implementation of resolution processes.
Dual Degrees
Mizzou Law has partnered with schools and colleges on the University of Missouri campus to offer ten dual degree options for candidates interested in seeking multiple graduate degrees simultaneously.
Contact Information
- Address: 103 Hulston Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211
- Phone: 573-882-6042
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of Missouri—Kansas City School of Law
Kansas City is the Classroom, and students can gain unprecedented access to the city’s extensive law network through internships, clerkships, and clinical opportunities with judges, private law practices, government agencies, and more.
Courses Offered
U.S. News and World Report in 2024 declares “Top 15 Legal Writing.”
Juris Doctor program
The Juris Doctor (J.D.) faculty attorneys, top-ranked emphasis areas, and practical, real-world experiences in the center of Kansas City prepare candidates to pursue their professional goals.
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
Students can enhance their legal skills and gain in-depth, detailed, specialist knowledge in a distinct area of law.
The LL.M. program integrates foundational courses for internationally trained law students with courses in the J.D. program.
Spotlight areas of study include Business and Entrepreneurial Law, Criminal Law, Intellectual Property, Child and Family Law, International Law, Litigation, Tax Law, and U.S. Law.
Contact Information
- Address: Volker Campus, 500 E. 52nd St., Kansas City, MO 64110
- Phone: 816-235-1644
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Saint Louis University School of Law
This location, in the center of downtown St. Louis, among law firms, federal and state courts, and city government, supports meaningful engagement with the St. Louis law and justice system community.
Courses Offered
Four concentrations
Ten dual degree programs,
Extensive professional skills training at the three Centers for Excellence and public service opportunities.
Master in Legal Studies Degrees:
- * J.D. Program
- * LL.M in Health Law
- *Part-Time Program
- *LL.M in American Law for Foreign Lawyers
- *2-Year J.D. for Foreign Lawyers
- *Dual Degree Programs
SLU LAW provides numerous in-house clinics, considerable field placement opportunities, and a range of simulation courses.
Contact Information
- Address: Saint Louis University, 1 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63103
- Phone: 800-758-3678
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Washington University School of Law
In addition to an excellent J.D. curriculum, WashULaw supports candidates by providing multiple joint degree programs in cooperation with other graduate schools and several advanced graduate programs on campus.
Courses Offered
JD Degree Program
The J.D. program at WashULaw provides an outstanding education, incorporating a world-class curriculum with unparalleled faculty and experience.
LLM, MLS & JSD Degree Programs
Designed for professionals seeking to develop additional expertise in specific legal areas, WashULaw offers LL.M, MLS, or JSD degrees.
Candidates study in programs, learn from world-class faculty, interact with exceptional colleagues, and take advantage of unique learning opportunities outside the classroom.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO 63130
- Phone: 314-935-6400
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Arizona State University / Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Earning a Master of Legal Studies online with Arizona State University allows students to customize their degree to their interests and career aspirations.
Participate in a Master of Legal Studies program that excels in areas of concentration that customize the degree while supporting students in life and career goals.
Respected faculty teach at this top-ranked public law school as candidates engage with a legal program to create a foundation in U.S. law.
Courses Offered
Master of Legal Studies
Each emphasis consists of 9 to 12 credits.
This lets students improve their legal foundation with specialized knowledge directly relevant to their professional goals, making an MLS degree beneficial to the candidate’s career path through real-world usage.
Contact Information
- Address: 111 E Taylor St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
- Phone: 855-278-5080
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Texas A&M University / School of Law
About the School
- Online
- Master of Legal Studies
- Master of Legal Studies in Intellectual Property
Texas A&M University School of Law is a public institution based in Fort Worth, TX.
Geared toward working professionals with real-life work commitments, the Master of Legal Studies program or Master of Legal Studies in Intellectual Property often allows candidates to earn a degree in 1 to 2 years.
- Program Type: Public
- Program Length:1-2 years
- Credits Required:30
Contact Information
- Address: 11515 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Phone: 651-227-9171
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Seattle University
About the School
- Online
- Master of Legal Studies in Compliance and Risk Management
Candidates take their studies at a private university based in Seattle, WA.
Typically, a motivated candidate will graduate with a Master of Legal Studies in Compliance and Risk Management degree in 2 years.
Candidates focus on Financial Compliance and Risk Management, Taxation, Financial Services, and Wealth Management.
- Program Type: Private
- Program Length:2 years
- Credits Required:30 Credits
Contact Information
- Address: 901 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
- Phone: 206-398-4269
- Website: Visit School Website
8 The University of Denver / Sturm College of Law
A private academic institution offers a Master of Science in Legal Administration program, typically completed in 1 to 4 years.
Available concentrations allow candidates to focus on Law Firm administration or Court Administration.
- Program type: Private
- Program length: Typically 1–4 years
- Required credits: 30 semester hours
Contact Information
- Address: 2255 E Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80210
- Phone: 303-871-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
9 University of Southern California / Gould School of Law
Learn from a private educational institution in Los Angeles that allows you to study online.
The Master of Studies in Law program typically culminates in 16 months.
Students focus on business law, compliance, entertainment law, industry financial compliance, health care, and human resources law.
- Program Type: Private
- Program Length:16 months
- Credits Required:21 Credit Units
Contact Information
- Address: 699 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089
- Phone: 213-821-5916
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Legal Studies Salary Information
A Master’s degree in Legal Studies is perfect for legal and other professionals who want to enhance their knowledge of law yet don’t want to become lawyers.
Candidates can follow many career paths with a Master’s degree in legal studies in Missouri.
Careers include arbitrators, mediators, court reporters, paralegals, and legal assistants.
Earning a Master’s in Legal Studies can open new vocational horizons.
Consider business owners/solopreneurs empowered to perform more of their legal tasks, academics wanting to add a specialization to their CV, or those who practice international law or work in law and regulation-heavy industries, such as pharmaceuticals.
Predicting growth, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states legal career-oriented professions will grow more quickly than the average for all occupations, with nearly 91,700 openings projected each year from 2022 to 2032.
Typical career paths taken by MLS graduates include:
- HR Director/Manager – $93,892–130,000
- Compliance Director – $110,337–128,627
- Business Analyst, Supervisor or Management Analyst – $57,840-172,280.
- Contract Negotiation Manager – $86,185–131,352
- Health Services Manager – $73,949–104,832
- Operations Director – $92,136–98,093
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$79K |
|
$88K |
|
$97K |
Average Salary in Missouri
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Blue Springs | $90,411 |
| Chesterfield | $90,226 |
| Columbia | $89,948 |
| Florissant | $90,597 |
| Independence | $90,689 |
| Jefferson City | $86,331 |
| Saint Joseph | $89,855 |
| Lees Summit | $90,411 |
| Saint Charles | $90,226 |
| Springfield | $83,364 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MO | 170 | $57,750 | $27.77 | $86,970 | $38,900 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 170 | $49,000 | $23.56 | $60,360 | $36,250 |
| Joplin, MO | 120 | $50,540 | $24.3 | $74,850 | $34,500 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 3,140 | $62,110 | $29.86 | $84,980 | $40,000 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 50 | $51,810 | $24.91 | $68,200 | $37,870 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 3,030 | $62,840 | $30.21 | $84,680 | $39,210 |
| Springfield, MO | 390 | $54,630 | $26.26 | $76,380 | $37,070 |
* 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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