Is earning a master’s in legal studies on your radar?
Perhaps you are looking to work as a paralegal, business analyst, compliance officer, or court administrator.
Fortunately, New York is home to some of the most notable programs for legal studies, with various schools offering them, including Cornell Law School and New York University.
This guide was put together to help you on your journey.
Continue reading to learn about various schools in New York that offer master’s in legal studies programs to help you meet your needs.
1 Cornell Law School
Cornell Law School is a close-knit community, with more than 600 J.D. students.
97% of graduates from Cornell Law School are employed within 10 months of graduation.
They are also ranked sixth in job placement among all law schools.
Cornell Law School first began admitting students in 1887, most of them future lawyers.
It’s a school with a rich and long history and one that is still going strong today.
Students who graduate from Cornell Law School are fully prepared for all the challenges of the legal world.
Cornell Law School represents more than 132 students enrolled in LL.M. programs and offers more than 255 law courses.
Cornell Law School is proudly accredited by the American Bar Association.
Courses Offered
Cornell Law School proudly offers a master’s degree in legal studies program that is 100% online.
It was created specifically for business professionals.
So, if you have a role in risk management, compliance, contracts, finance, or human resources, this program will prepare you to apply the law to legal issues that your company faces.
Following successful completion of this program, students will have earned a total of 30 credit hours.
The program is flexible and covers a wide range of courses and topics.
Some of the core courses included in this program are:
- Compliance Systems
- Working with Business Contracts
- Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
- Regulatory Policy and Process
- Business Organizations and Corporate Governance
There are also several elective options for students to choose from, such as employment law, business ethics, business transactions, and more.
Tuition for this program costs a total of $2,170 per credit hour.
Students are required to put in between 15–20 hours of study per week, concerning the way courses are set up.
Contact Information
- Address: Myron Taylor Hall l Ithaca, NY 14853
- Phone: 607-255-5141
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Fordham University
Since 1905, Fordham Law School has been serving the community and has been dedicated to providing excellent legal education to those interested.
Over the years, Fordham Law School has built a thriving community all while maintaining the highest ethics.
Fordham Law School offers more than 300 elective courses, 19 clinical practice areas, and much more.
The school has more than 75 full-time faculty, all of which are committed to teaching and research.
There are various programs offered at Fordham Law School, including M.S.L. programs, J.D. programs, and LL.M. programs.
Whether you’re a current attorney looking for further education or interested in the legal field, Fordham Law School is certain to have a program to match your needs.
Fordham Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association and approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions.
Courses Offered
Fordham Law School offers a master’s of studies in law, similar to a legal studies program.
The main focus of this program is corporate compliance and will help students gain the ability to solve complex compliance challenges.
In as little as 12 months, students will gain advanced legal knowledge through this program in addition to the practical skills needed to strengthen compliance practices within their organization.
There is an online program offered in various fields, including healthcare compliance, general corporate compliance, financial services compliance, and human resources compliance.
Following the completion of this program, students will have earned 30 credits.
The curriculum in this program will provide students with an in-depth understanding of how the laws impact how corporations operate.
Some of the courses included in this program are:
- Privacy and Cybersecurity
- Crisis Management
- Compliance Risk Assessment
- Employment Law
- Antitrust Law
- Healthcare Compliance
Students can take advantage of flexible class times, intuitive study tools, a powerful network, and much more.
Contact Information
- Address: 150 W 62nd st l New York, NY 10023
- Phone: 718-817-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Pace University
Pace University has been serving the community for more than four decades.
It is a wonderful law school that values legal education and stresses the importance of learning both inside and outside the classroom.
Pace University offers various programs, such as master’s degree programs, LL.M., and more.
There are also joint degree programs offered here for students to take advantage of.
The campus at Pace University is also home to the New York State Judicial Institute, which provides training, education, and research for justices and judges within the state of New York’s court system.
Pace University is proudly accredited by the American Bar Association.
Courses Offered
Pace University offers a legal studies program that was created to provide those who are not attorneys with education in the U.S. law and legal system.
Additionally, students who enroll in this program will have the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge in various fields.
There are several subject areas available within this program including private international law, public international law, international business, dispute resolution, and international human rights.
Some courses that students will take in this program are:
- Federal Income Taxation
- Banking Law
- Bankruptcy Law
- White Collar Crime Seminar Law
- Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Corporate Finance Law
Furthermore, with this program, students will also have the option to choose a specialization in US legal practice or a specialization in international business law.
Contact Information
- Address: 78 N Broadway l White Plains, NY 10603
- Phone: 914-422-4210
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Hofstra University
Hofstra Law School has been serving the community since 1970.
They have educated more than 12,000 students who have gone on to become excellent business executives, attorneys, and even community leaders.
There are various programs offered here at Hofstra Law School, from JD programs, to master’s programs, to certificate programs.
Hofstra Law School is known nationally for being dedicated to offering a traditional law curriculum.
They also offer various legal education programs in family law, health law, and technology.
Hofstra Law is located in Hempstead, NY, and is located just 25 miles from New York City.
Whether you’re interested in receiving an LLM in American legal studies or family law, or interested in becoming a paralegal, Hofstra Law is the perfect place to be.
Hofstra Law School is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
While Hofstra Law doesn’t exactly have a legal studies program, they do offer several different master’s programs in legal policy and health law, with the main focus being legal studies.
These programs were created for those who are not interested in becoming lawyers, but looking to gain a deeper understanding of the law.
The master’s program can be completed in just 24 months.
You will take a total of 11 different courses for a total of 30 credit hours.
The coursework is 100% remote and convenient for those who already have working careers.
The program also examines both state and federal laws and addresses compliance requirements and more.
The master’s degree program is ideal for those who have backgrounds in health administration, social work, compliance, nursing, and other related industries who are looking for additional help in building a foundation.
As a result, students will be able to become a valuable legal resource to their current organization.
The cost of the program is $1,485 per credit hour.
Some of the courses that students will take within this program include:
- Medicare and Medicaid Law
- Health Law
- Intro to the American Legal System
- Public Health Law, Policy, and Ethics
- Healthcare Compliance
Contact Information
- Address: 121 Hofstra University l Hempstead, NY 11549
- Phone: 516-463-5858
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University at Buffalo, SUNY
The University at Buffalo School of Law has been serving students for more than 130 years in Western New York and welcomes students from all over the country.
They are among the strongest public schools in the U.S.
Additionally, they are the only law school in the State University of New York.
The University at Buffalo School of Law offers a variety of learning opportunities with a focus on legal studies.
Many faculty members here have a Ph.D. along with a law degree.
No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be certain to find a program that suits your needs.
You’ll be able to choose from various J.D. programs, dual degree and interdisciplinary programs, LL.M. programs, undergraduate programs, and more.
The University at Buffalo School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Courses Offered
Students who’d like to expand their knowledge may want to consider the master’s of arts program here at the University of Buffalo.
This legal studies program is designed for those who have an interest in pursuing law-related careers but do not wish to become an attorney.
The program provides a thorough understanding of various principles in addition to the legal system.
It can be helpful for those seeking roles in policy analysis, legal research, compliance, and several others.
Students have the option of completing this program online or in person.
The legal studies program is ideal for those who have an interest in the political, philosophical, historical, and social underpinnings of the U.S. legal system and law.
If you plan to attend law school and wish to pursue a career in public administration, law enforcement, or nonprofit work, this program is for you.
Some of the courses that students will be required to take in this program include:
- Intro to American Politics
- Business Law
- Health Law and Compliance
- Legal Research and Communication
Contact Information
- Address: 211 Putnam Way l Buffalo, NY 14260
- Phone: 716-645-2271
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Cornell Law School |
|
#2 | Fordham University |
|
#3 | Pace University |
|
#4 | Hofstra University |
|
#5 | University at Buffalo, SUNY |
Legal Studies Salary Information
Ultimately, the salary that you earn in the state of New York with a master’s in legal studies depends on the profession you are working in.
However, according to the BLS, New York has the highest employment level for legal professions in the U.S.
The average salary for those working in legal professions in New York is $136,450 per year.
In addition, earning a master’s of legal studies degree can provide you with several benefits including higher salaries, more career options to choose from, and an increase in job security.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$89K |
|
$98K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in New York
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Albany | $93,806 |
| Henrietta | $90,941 |
| Rochester | $90,941 |
| Schenectady | $93,529 |
| New York | $107,947 |
| Brooklyn | $107,947 |
| Buffalo | $89,832 |
| Troy | $93,714 |
| Utica | $90,757 |
| Bronx | $107,947 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 1,390 | $63,540 | $30.55 | $90,570 | $42,660 |
| Binghamton, NY | 220 | $60,990 | $29.32 | $78,300 | $42,640 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | 1,790 | $59,290 | $28.51 | $80,370 | $42,390 |
| Elmira, NY | 50 | $56,390 | $27.11 | $80,100 | $42,690 |
| Glens Falls, NY | 90 | $60,680 | $29.17 | $78,240 | $46,420 |
| Ithaca, NY | 70 | $64,980 | $31.24 | $88,010 | $47,430 |
| Kingston, NY | 120 | $66,270 | $31.86 | $101,300 | $47,890 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 32,460 | $80,240 | $38.58 | $128,840 | $50,810 |
| Rochester, NY | 1,170 | $60,860 | $29.26 | $89,510 | $35,160 |
| Syracuse, NY | 710 | $63,910 | $30.73 | $93,600 | $46,530 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | 150 | $63,970 | $30.76 | $91,020 | $46,130 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | 50 | $59,040 | $28.39 | $89,620 | $43,660 |
* 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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