If you want to know how laws impact your profession but do not want to practice as an attorney, a Master of Legal Studies is the perfect choice.
Position yourself for advancement within your field of work by enhancing your knowledge of how the law impacts your profession.
Focus on law and legal systems and earn more in the field you enjoy by attaining a Master of Legal Studies MLS, sometimes listed as an MSL graduate degree.
Arkansas provides one well-respected, top-notch school that offers a Masters of Legal Studies program. One Arkansas university asks students to propose a degree program.
The state also allows residents fantastic online distance learning opportunities.
1 William H. Bowen School of Law
About the School
Study in this highly nationally respected school located on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the state’s capital.
William H. Bowen School of Law has been educating students since 1975.
This American Bar Association-accredited school offers part-time and full-time class schedules to work around everyone’s lifestyle.
The school’s goals include offering a theory and practical education at an affordable cost.
Tuition for Arkansas residents costs $459 per credit hour.
Nonresidents pay $1,006 per credit hour.
Expect to pay additional fees for books, room and board, parking, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Courses Offered/Legal Studies Programs
Complete your Master of Legal Studies degree in two years or less with this 30-hour program.
All MSL students study alongside Juris Doctorate JD classmates.
To obtain the Master of Legal Studies degree, students must complete Legal Institutions & Methods and two additional law school core courses.
Additionally, students must complete a capstone project before graduation.
Contact Information
- Address: 1201 McMath Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202
- Phone: (501) 916-5400
- Website: Visit School Website
2 The University of Arkansas at Monticello
About the School
UAM serves as a model open-access regional institution.
This Conference of Southern Graduate-approved schools offers graduate and undergraduate programs.
The university’s key focus is on serving Arkansas students with quality education.
The staff takes a holistic approach, serving each student as an individual.
The school seeks to encourage teamwork, open communication, cooperation, leadership, and shared responsibility through teaching critical thinking and global learning skills.
The school’s name says Monticello, but there are three campus locations.
The other two are in Crossett or McGehee.
Off-campus graduate students pay approximately $5,430 based on 6 hours per term.
Expect additional fees for books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous.
Add about $8,600 for room and board to live on campus.
Courses Offered/Legal Studies Programs
A Masters of Legal Studies degree is not currently part of their offered programs.
However, the school allows students to fill out a form to propose a degree.
Complete the form on their website and propose a Master of Legal Studies degree.
Work together with the university to customize it to fit your career needs.
Download the pdf proposal form, answer a few basic questions, and submit it.
If the chancellor, chair, and graduate council approve it, you could start earning your Masters at this highly accredited school.
Contact Information
- Address: 346 University Drive, Monticello, AR 71656
- Phone: (870) 460-1026
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Online Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law
About the School
Stay in Arkansas and study from the comfort and convenience of your home.
Northern Kentucky University NKU offers an online Masters degree in legal studies.
Learn at an ABA-accredited Chase College of Law online.
The university associates itself with the Chase College of Law, approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association.
Niche ranked NKU among the Best Colleges in America.
The school is designed as a Military Friendly School MFS with Silver distinction by VIQTORY media and recognized among the top public schools by US News & World Report.
Expect to pay about $20,670 in tuition for the Master of Legal Studies degree.
Courses Offered/Legal Studies Programs
Earn your graduate degree with this unique online program through the Chase College of Law at NKU.
This online school offers a Master of Legal Studies in Digital Law & Technology.
Complete your MLS degree in as little as ten months.
This course of study works around your already busy working schedule.
This degree program focuses on those already working as a business leader, marketing, sales, or those interested in working with IT data protection.
Learn how to solve legal challenges within the technology and digital commerce industry.
Acquire knowledge about the laws and regulations that govern online buying and selling through virtual storefronts.
Upon graduation, you will have gained knowledge and skills to preserve data security and privacy while tackling digital crime and identity theft breaches.
Contact Information
- Address: Online
- Phone: (800) 985-7215
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Online Washington University School of Law
About the School
This prestigious university in St. Louis, Missouri, has long been renowned for its law school.
Washington University School of Law ranks among the top 20 law schools by US News and World Report.
Wash U Law School offers students the chance to expand their legal knowledge and eventually apply it to their desired field of work.
Expect to pay approximately $2,917 per credit hour in the 24-credit hours graduate degree program.
Courses Offered/Legal Studies Programs
Washington University, or Wash U, offers an online Master of Legal Studies degree designed for professionals wanting to learn more about how the law impacts their current line of work.
Explore how the law affects various professions in the United States.
Earn your degree entirely online without giving up your current career.
This online program focuses on applying United States Law to numerous and varying careers.
The curriculum is similar to what a first-year law student learns with classes in contracts and legal writing, intellectual property law, business associations, negotiations, and professional responsibility.
Upon completion, students become members of the Washington University School of Law alumni network, which provides a rich opportunity to bond professional relationships with the best legal professionals in the nation.
Contact Information
- Address: Online
- Phone: (314) 281-5200
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Online University of Cincinnati
About the School
The University of Cincinnati offers online courses that rank among the best in the nation according to US News and World Report and in the top 100 public law schools among the 2024 Best Law Schools from US News & World Report.
The school also ranks as the most affordable law school in Ohio.
Expect to pay $5,850 per semester or $29,250 for the graduate degree program.
Courses Offered/Legal Studies Programs
Obtain legal knowledge without becoming a lawyer.
This fully online course makes it convenient for working professionals to learn new skills and position themselves for betterment in their employment opportunities within their industry.
Learn from your home in Arkansas.
The online program offers a chance to complete the degree requirements without commuting to or living on campus.
Enjoy flexible schedules to earn your degree throughout five terms of two seven-week classes each semester.
Complete your degree in less than two years.
Contact Information
- Address: Online
- Phone: (833) 556-7400
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Legal Studies Salary Information
Masters of Legal Services graduates earn an average of about $16,000 more annually than they would with only an undergraduate degree.
Additionally, the MLS often provides job security and furthers career options.
Expected salaries vary depending on what career path you want to use your MLS.
Typically, those who achieve a Master of Legal Systems receive higher pay and promotions in their current profession.
For instance, a Contract Negotiation Manager with an MLS may earn between $86,185 to $131,352.
An HR Manager or Director may see salaries in the $93,892 to $130,000 range.
A compliance Director could earn as much as $128,627 with an MLS.
A Business Analyst Supervisor or Management Analyst may receive pay between $72,333 and $95,285.
An Operations Director could earn upwards of $98,093.
An Health Services Manager with a Master of Legal Services degree may earn between $73,949 and $104,832.
Of course, even though obtaining your Juris Doctorate JD to practice as an attorney is not your goal, an MLS may still benefit you within a law field to boost credentials and salaries.
A litigation paralegal may earn between $40,000 and $74,000.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$76K |
|
$83K |
|
$92K |
Average Salary in Arkansas
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Bentonville | $83,340 |
| Conway | $83,893 |
| Little Rock | $84,723 |
| Pine Bluff | $82,511 |
| Fayetteville | $83,986 |
| Rogers | $83,525 |
| Fort Smith | $80,482 |
| Springdale | $83,986 |
| Jacksonville | $84,631 |
| Texarkana | $83,801 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | 310 | $76,160 | $36.61 | $89,050 | $33,460 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 100 | $58,370 | $28.06 | $68,000 | $35,730 |
| Jonesboro, AR | 50 | $57,870 | $27.82 | $62,260 | $34,080 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 710 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
* 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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