If you want to gain substantive legal knowledge without becoming a lawyer in Alabama, earning a Master of Legal Studies degree could be your right educational pathway.
MLS degree holders have a solid foundation in legal studies which can translate into many different career roles and advancement opportunities.
Learn more about the Master of Legal Studies degree and gain insights into a few of Alabama’s best Master’s degree-granting legal studies programs in the comprehensive guide to some of the best local schools below!
Alabama’s Legal Landscape for Master’s Degree Holders
The career opportunities for MLS degree holders in Alabama look bright.
Various high-income roles show that these degree holders can make as much as $200,000 per year depending on their selected role.
Can I Expect to Take in a Master of Legal Studies Degree Program in Alabama?
While each legal Master’s degree program will offer its curriculum, the following are examples of courses offered by local universities:
- Business Planning
- Income Tax of Estates and Trusts
- Intellectual Property for Technology
- Personal Income Tax
- Securities Regulation
Best Masters in Legal Studies Programs in Alabama
The Best Master in Legal Studies programs in Alabama offer flexible and comprehensive legal education that readies students to work in a variety of advanced career roles with high-paying salaries.
While each school has its own admission and graduation requirements most enrolled students can earn their desired advanced legal degree within one to three years.
Now that you have an idea of what a Master’s Degree in Legal Studies is and what career benefits are available to degree holders, let’s dive into a few of the best programs available in the state!
1 University of Alabama Law School
Program Overview
Alabama legal professionals who want to expand their legal knowledge in taxation or business can take Master’s level coursework at the University of Alabama’s Law School.
The University of Alabama Law School gives prospective students four routes to enhance their legal education.
Three of their Master’s level programs can be completed online.
A fourth option requires students to be on campus.
Degree Programs Offered
Online LL.M in Taxation
Approved applicants who meet the school’s admission and eligibility requirements can earn an LL.M in Taxation, a specialized taxation degree for non-lawyers.
This program offers two electives, which include Estate Planning and Business Tax.
Courses Offered
- Personal Income Tax
- Capital Transactions
- Tax Procedure
- Tax Research
- Corporate Tax
Online LL.M. Concentration in Business Transactions
Local students who want to gain an advantage in business opt for The University of Alabama’s Online LL.M. Concentration in Business Transactions.
This twenty-four semester hour program teaches students the fundamentals and key principles of the formation of business entities, legal use of intellectual property, and critical details about securities regulation.
Courses Offered
- Business Drafting
- Business Entities
- Business Planning
- Intellectual Property
- Securities Regulation
Online Juris Masters in Taxation
This tax-focused legal master’s degree program emphasizes specialized tax topics of interest to accountants, business students, and CPAs.
This program is offered online and meets in the evenings to cover high-level tax topics which can include Capital Transactions, Estate and Gift Tax, International Tax, and Executive Compensation.
The Online Juris Masters program features a variety of tax-related electives that help students deepen their knowledge in areas like business development, drafting, or planning.
International LL.M
U of A’s International LL.M program is an on-campus program that requires students to be in residence.
This advanced legal program touches on specialized topics designed for local legal professionals who have already earned a law degree from their home country.
Program Strengths and Advantages
One of the best advantages of the Masters in Legal Studies programs at the University of Alabama’s law school is that three out of four of their top Masters degree programs and concentrations are available completely online.
Offering online advanced degree programs opens the door for long-distance students, working students, and students caring for families to make time for advancing their legal education.
Contact Information
- Address: 101 Paul W. Bryant Drive, East Tuscaloosa, Alabama - 35487
- Phone: 205-348-5440
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Samford University - Master of Studies in Law
Program Overview
Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law operates one of the top LLM and MSL programs in Alabama and the US.
Students who enroll with Samford are typically allowed up to twenty-four months to complete required legal courses to earn a Master of Studies in Law or Master of Law Degree from this prestigious institution.
Samford offers three routes to earning a Master’s level legal education in Alabama for non-lawyers.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Laws
The LLM degree is a highly sought-after credential offered for local students who already hold a JD degree.
This thirty-one credit hour program readies students to access and use legal databases for case law research.
Students who opt for this degree will learn how to analyze policy, legal, ethical, and compliance-related issues across various fields.
Courses Offered
- Regulatory Compliance
- Legal Databases
- Legal Operations
- Legal Terminology
- Policy Compliance
Master of Studies in Law
The MSL program at Samford University is specifically designed for non-lawyers and professionals without a Juris Doctorate.
Their thirty-four-hour program introduces legal trainees to the law and legal procedures along with providing an introduction to the principles of business law and legal communication skills.
Courses Offered
- Legal Communication Skills
- Introduction to Law and Legal Procedure
- Introduction to Public Policy
- Legal Writing
- Master of Studies in Law – Capstone Course
Law Graduate Certificate
Prospective legal professionals who want to quickly uplevel their careers can take advantage of Samford U’s online law certificate program in one of four related concentrations.
Their certificate program trains professionals on the concepts needed to engage with legal professionals in the financial services, healthcare, and higher education industries.
Courses Offered
- Financial Services Regulatory Compliance
- Health Law and Compliance
- Higher Education Law and Compliance
- Legal Operations
Program Strengths and Advantages
The LLM and MSL programs available at Samford University give students virtual access to crucial legal concepts and advanced legal education to help them advance in their current roles and become eligible to work in key policy and compliance areas across the state of Alabama.
Taking online classes allows students to learn at their own pace while working toward a higher income-producing degree and education.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, Alabama - 35229
- Phone: 205-726-2011
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | University of Alabama Law School |
|
#2 | Samford University - Master of Studies in Law |
Legal Studies Salary Information
Graduates of Masters in Legal Studies programs who reside in Alabama can expect to make well-paying, high-income salaries regardless of the role they choose.
The following are representations of local annual salaries for working professionals with advanced degrees:
- Contract Manager: $92,463.00 – $161,106.00
- Paralegal: $50,000.00 – $79,180.00
- Legal Analyst: $120,000 – $200,000
- Human Resources Manager: $87,000 – $140,000
- Compliance Officer: $58,000 – $130,000
- Employee Health Services Manager: $97,000 – $160,000
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$76K |
|
$84K |
|
$93K |
Average Salary in Alabama
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Auburn | $81,312 |
| Birmingham | $86,106 |
| Huntsville | $88,411 |
| Decatur | $85,461 |
| Madison | $88,411 |
| Dothan | $79,284 |
| Florence | $79,468 |
| Prattville | $81,865 |
| Montgomery | $81,865 |
| Gadsden | $86,475 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 50 | $46,890 | $22.54 | $71,140 | $33,610 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 50 | $43,740 | $21.03 | $59,330 | $31,810 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 1,720 | $58,550 | $28.15 | $77,890 | $39,310 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 120 | $48,290 | $23.22 | $70,590 | $34,320 |
| Decatur, AL | 30 | $47,740 | $22.95 | $65,430 | $35,380 |
| Dothan, AL | 110 | $44,100 | $21.2 | $67,390 | $29,870 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 100 | $45,970 | $22.1 | $70,620 | $32,680 |
| Gadsden, AL | 30 | $42,590 | $20.48 | $68,670 | $29,760 |
| Huntsville, AL | 320 | $55,030 | $26.46 | $78,370 | $35,000 |
| Mobile, AL | 380 | $50,980 | $24.51 | $73,630 | $35,210 |
| Montgomery, AL | 570 | $53,370 | $25.66 | $73,630 | $34,510 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 110 | $48,380 | $23.26 | $65,780 | $33,760 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
What Is a Master of Legal Studies Degree?
Before you embark on applying for and enrolling in an advanced legal degree, it is important to understand what degree types are available for you to choose from.
A Master of Legal Studies degree (MLS) is an advanced degree for non-lawyers who are interested in up-leveling their career in the area of legal studies.
Bachelor’s degree holders who enroll in Legal Studies programs to earn a Master’s degree gain a wide variety of high income skills which allow them to advance their careers and generate a sizable income boost in most cases.
Masters-level legal degrees are designed for individuals who are interested in understanding, interpreting, and applying the law in everyday situations without practicing as licensed attorneys or other licensed legal professionals.
Prospective students need to research the program type, admission requirements, and potential degree awards before committing to a program as each advanced legal degree comes with its own set of rules, regulations, and requirements.
Talk to your admissions counselor to learn if pursuing an MLS degree, an LL.M. degree, or a Juris Master is the right option for you.
How Long Does it Take to Earn an MLS Degree in Alabama?
The amount of time it takes to earn an MLS degree can vary by program, full or part-time status, and the institution.
For example, it takes most full-time students one to two years to complete the program requirements needed to earn a Master of Legal Studies degree.
In contrast, part-time students can earn their MLS degree in around two to three years (or longer) depending on how much time they devote to part-time study and their choice of program.
Who Is Eligible to Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree in Alabama?
Each MLS program has specific admission requirements and related fees that must be satisfied before prospective applicants are officially eligible to enroll and begin their advanced legal studies.
Can I Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree Completely Online?
Yes! Many online programs now offer full degrees online for virtual students who need to juggle home, work, and school.
Attending online classes makes it easier for working professionals and students with families to achieve their educational goals without a major disruption to their current schedules.
What Roles Can I Work in with a Master of Legal Studies Degree?
Graduates who complete an online or on-campus Master in Legal Studies program open themselves up to a variety of advanced career opportunities where they can apply their new skills in business, education, healthcare, human resources, and state, federal, or local government.
Alabama MLS and LLM degree holders can enhance or begin careers in some of the following high-paying roles:
- Legal Operations
- Compliance
- Healthcare
- Human Resources Management
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
Leave a Reply