A Master in Legal Studies degree gives people who want to have legal knowledge and expertise without going to law school to become an attorney the opportunity to work in a variety of legal occupations or the opportunity to work in similar occupations.
Gaining a strong understanding of the law is important for many non-lawyers who need to have the knowledge and skills for their current job or to advance or change their career.
Earning a Master of Legal Studies degree in Colorado prepares program graduates to work in various careers.
Colorado schools that offer a Master in Legal Studies program provide students with the opportunity to align their studies with their career goals.
Students can choose elective courses that focus on their interests or areas where they need the legal knowledge and skills to excel in their careers.
Some schools offer concentrations within the degree that allow students to tailor their graduate legal studies program to their needs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that more than 70 percent of workers who have a degree in legal studies work in one of five career areas.
The primary areas that workers choose are legal occupations that do not require workers to be attorneys or judges, business and financial occupations, sales occupations, management occupations, and office and administrative support occupations.
Start a career or advance your career, and earn a higher salary, compared to someone who does not have a master’s degree in legal studies.
Workers who earn a degree from a Colorado Master of Legal Studies program will likely have better career opportunities, including opportunities for advancement, compared to those who do not have the degree.
1 University of Colorado Boulder
About the School
The University of Colorado Boulder site indicates that it serves as an educational facility that is a dynamic research and innovation hub.
The school opened its doors to its first class, consisting of 44 students, in 1877.
It now has four campuses, which include the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Colorado Denver, the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
The Higher Learning Commission accredits the University of Colorado.
Students choose their educational path from among 160 fields of study, and 230 academic degrees.
One of the degrees offered at the school is the one-year Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program.
It is offered at the University of Colorado Boulder campus.
Courses Offered
Enrolling in the Master of Studies in Law program at the University of Colorado Boulder allows students to earn their degree in one year.
The program does not require students to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
They complete the 28-credit program to gain knowledge and training that is necessary to work in a variety of occupations.
Choosing one of the two tracks offered in the Master of Studies in Law program allows students to follow a curriculum that best aligns with their interests.
The school offers the Ethics and Compliance Track and the Master of Studies in Law Human Rights track.
Ethics and Compliance Track
Students who choose the Ethics and Compliance Track learn to develop ethics and compliance programs and to improve upon existing ethics and compliance programs.
They also learn to manage these types of programs.
The curriculum focuses on courses related to educating students on reducing the risk of fraud and helping organizations to obey the laws.
Students learn to help organizations with preventing or reducing the risk of other types of misconduct, and how to help firms and organizations to mitigate their legal liability and their reputation risks.
The Ethics and Compliance Track allows students to focus on specific areas of law to further follow a curriculum that aligns with their interests and desired career path.
Choose from fields such as privacy and cybersecurity or healthcare and financial services.
Human Rights Track
The University of Colorado Boulder Master of Studies in Law in Human Rights track offers students the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills that are required to understand and work in international human rights law and policy.
People from a variety of professional backgrounds or those who plan to work in international human rights are likely to choose this track.
Students who choose this track gain knowledge and understanding of legal theory and doctrine, and related substantive knowledge, including in a societal context.
They take required courses, which include courses that introduce them to the American Legal System, legal research, writing, and analysis.
The program features courses that prepare students for a career in human rights or closely related career fields.
Contact Information
- Address: Regent Administrative Center 205 & 1B53 (26 UCB), Boulder, Colorado, 80309-0026
- Phone: 303-492-8220
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of Denver
About the School
The University of Denver is the oldest independent higher education school in the Rocky Mountain West.
The university, founded in 1864, is now a modern institution that has a strong commitment to academic excellence and inclusion of every student.
Six months after graduation, 91 percent of students who graduated in 2021, 2022, and 2023 were either employed, in the military, or continuing their education.
Master’s degree programs at the school integrate independent study, research, and professional development.
One such program is the Sturm College of Law Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program.
Students enrich their education and their employment opportunities by gaining specialized knowledge and skills in several areas of law without having to attend law school.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Master of Legal Studies program at the University of Denver learn about the American legal system, gain legal reasoning skills, and gain knowledge of several specialized legal subjects.
Interested students may earn a Master of Social Work formal dual degree after enrolling in the Master of Legal Studies program.
The program requires students to complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of approved courses.
One required course is Introduction to the American Legal System.
Students choose at least one option from a list of other required courses.
Some options include Legal Profession, Criminal Law, Administrative Law, Civil Procedure, and Torts.
Earning the Master’s of Legal Studies requires students to complete 18 to 19 additional credits from several elective courses.
The selected electives allow students to customize their studies according to their goals and interests.
There is a capstone requirement that students complete before earning their degree.
The school has several concentration options.
Master of Legal Studies in Global Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law Track
Students who choose this concentration want to have a broader understanding of the field of environmental law and natural resources law.
They want to gain knowledge and expertise about legal issues at both national and international levels.
The program also gives students an understanding of domestic natural resource law and the regulation of resources across international jurisdictions.
The Master of Legal Studies in Global Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law track provides a comprehensive curriculum.
It also allows interested students to gain hands-on experience.
Master of Legal Studies in Forensic Engineering Track
Non-lawyers who want to increase their knowledge and expertise, particularly with an interest in serving as expert witnesses, have the option to choose this concentration while earning their Master of Science in Legal Studies at the University of Denver.
Students learn about investigating the cause and the extent of damage that occurs because of construction and design defects.
Coursework focuses on American Law, contracts and torts, construction law, evidence, and civil trial practice.
The 24-credit program is offered in a 100 percent online format.
Students who commit to full-time study can complete the program in one year.
Part-time students complete the program in two to three years.
Students who want to pursue a concentration in social justice and non-profit management, human resources, or intellectual law and human rights need to meet with a faculty member.
Contact Information
- Address: Sturm College of Law, University of Denver, 2255 E. Evans Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80208
- Phone: 303-871-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | University of Colorado Boulder |
|
#2 | University of Denver |
Legal Studies Salary Information
The growing need for non-lawyers who have legal expertise provides students who earn a Master’s in Legal Studies in Colorado with many career options.
One option is that of a compliance officer.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists Boulder, Colorado on its list of the top 10 highest-paying metropolitan areas in the U.S. for compliance officers.
The average salary for compliance officers in the U.S. is $93,300.
Salary.com indicates that compliance officers in Colorado earn an average annual salary of $95,200.
Students who work as environmental investigators in Colorado earn an average annual salary of $95,921 to $121,740.
The salary for forensic engineers in Colorado exceeds the average salary for forensic engineers in the U.S.
The average annual salary for forensic engineers is $89,761.
Colorado forensic engineers earn an average annual salary of $91,556.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$85K |
|
$94K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Colorado
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Arvada | $94,084 |
| Denver | $94,084 |
| Pueblo | $89,463 |
| Aurora | $94,084 |
| Fort Collins | $91,126 |
| Westminster | $94,084 |
| Boulder | $96,949 |
| Broomfield | $95,285 |
| Jefferson | $94,084 |
| Colorado Springs | $91,958 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 620 | $62,930 | $30.26 | $92,520 | $49,680 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 520 | $59,480 | $28.6 | $77,340 | $39,710 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 3,440 | $76,740 | $36.9 | $107,680 | $47,340 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 230 | $66,310 | $31.88 | $84,280 | $48,480 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 140 | $54,980 | $26.43 | $67,080 | $37,370 |
| Greeley, CO | 90 | $64,690 | $31.1 | $83,960 | $41,010 |
| Pueblo, CO | 80 | $49,630 | $23.86 | $68,180 | $36,810 |
* 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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