Holding strong legal knowledge has a major advantage across various industries, including government agencies, nonprofit charities, and Corporate America.
Understanding and articulating legal problems can help you guide a company’s operations and employees around legal issues while keeping your firm out of trouble.
Luckily, you don’t need to earn a Juris Doctorate or pass the Bar to be effective at a company.
Instead, the Master of Studies in Law can provide you with the tools and knowledge required.
Keep reading to learn more about the best Masters in Legal Studies programs in Maryland!
1 American University Online
American University offers an entirely online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program that helps non-lawyers leverage legal fluency across different organizations and industry types.
AU’s curriculum is multidisciplinary and rigorous due to the extensive experience of the faculty.
The program blends international relations, business, and legal classes to deliver a dynamic learning environment.
Best of all, no LSAT or GRE tests are required for admittance since the school focuses on the legal ability to apply problem-solving skills.
Courses/Programs Offered
In addition to the foundational curriculum comprised of topics like business law, contracts, and torts, students are required to pick from one of six in-depth specializations including U.S. legislation, cybersecurity, technology, healthcare compliance, business, and general topics.
Contact Information
- Address: 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States
- Phone: +1 202-885-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Emory University Online
Emory University offers a completely online Master of Legal Studies through the Emory Law School.
Since the law touches all aspects of society and impacts a range of professionals, Emory University’s MLS program allows students to increase their knowledge of the law, thus improving career prospects.
With a practical, online curriculum, students better understand the legal landscape, the nuances of state and federal governments, and regulatory frameworks across different industries.
Courses/Programs Offered
Emory’s 30-credit MLS online degree is flexible for working professionals and those with other commitments to earn a degree without the challenges of their responsibilities.
The coursework offers two virtual synchronous experiences at the start and finish of the program to give students a chance to connect with classmates.
Students must specialize in one of four areas: Technology, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Law, Human Resources and Employment Law, Regulation, Policy, Healthcare Law, Regulation, and Business Law.
This concentration coursework builds on fundamental concepts to create a flexible framework for students to focus their studies.
Contact Information
- Address: 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322
- Phone: 888-725-4678
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Fordham University Online
Fordham University has an entirely online Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree focused on Corporate Compliance.
The program gives non-lawyers the chance to earn a legal degree in compliance from a Top 40 law school.
Since this is not a Juris Doctorate, no LSAT, GMAT, or GRE test is required and the program can be completed in as little as 12 months.
Program attributes include virtual face-to-face interaction with expert faculty, live morning and evening classes, and an in-person colloquium in New York City.
Courses/Programs Offered
In addition to foundational topics like jurisprudence, legal writing and research, dispute resolution, and ethical decision-making, students also can select from one of four paths: General, Human Resources, Healthcare, and Financial Services.
These tracks allow students to better focus their academic experience which can lead to a more fruitful career.
Contact Information
- Address: Bronx, NY 10458, United States
- Phone: +1 718-817-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Purdue Global
Purdue Global offers a Master in Legal Studies program that requires 11 courses and can be completed completely online within approximately one year at a commitment of 15 hours per week.
The cost per credit is $420 whether you are an in-state or out-of-state resident.
The program’s focus is to expand career opportunities, gain practical knowledge by solving real-world legal problems, learn from expert faculty, and select from specialized electives to expand your expertise.
Courses/Programs Offered
Foundational topics include substantive areas of law, legal history, jurisprudence, ethical decision-making, legal reasoning substantive and analysis, legal writing and research, dispute resolution, and the American legal system.
In addition to the eight core courses, students must take three elective classes to help tailor their education toward a specific career or industry.
The total number of credits for the program is 55.
Contact Information
- Address: West Lafayette, Indiana, United States
- Phone: 1-844-787-3834
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of Baltimore
The Master of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Baltimore offers a combination of coursework in the ethical and historical underpinnings of law, legal research and methods, the legal system, and legal topics.
Some students use the program as a stepping stone into law school, while others wish to advance their careers in a legal field that doesn’t require a law degree.
Graduates have found positions working in various government jobs, risk management, and Human Resources, as legal coordinators and intake managers, paralegals and legal assistants, and as commissioners and clerks in the court system.
Courses/Programs Offered
The coursework required for Ub’s MLS program includes topics like legal research, writing, and analysis, the American legal system, legal procedures, contracts, torts, public law, corporate law, and client advocacy.
These foundational classes can be applied to all industries in different fields.
Contact Information
- Address: 1420 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
- Phone: +1 410-837-4200
- Website: Visit School Website
6 University of Illinois at Springfield Online
The University of Illinois at Springfield’s online Master of Arts in Legal Studies program is taught by the same faculty as the on-campus program.
Online students are supported by a program coordinator and faculty advisor to ensure the same education is received regardless of location.
Best of all, online students receive a special e-tuition rate and read less about location.
Courses/Programs Offered
The program requires a completion of 36 credit hours, which can be completed within around 24 months.
The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with classes limited to 20 students for a better student-to-teacher ratio.
Courses focus on how current social issues and public policy are woven into law.
The curriculum heavily emphasizes conceptual and analytical thinking skills as students study the role of law in society and legal theory.
Several of the classes offered include Public Advocacy, Theories of Justice Law, a Graduate Seminar, an Introduction to Graduate Legal Studies, and Legal Research and Citation.
Contact Information
- Address: One University Plaza, Springfield, IL 62703, United States
- Phone: +1 217-206-6600
- Website: Visit School Website
7 University of Maryland
The University of Maryland offers an online part-time, two-year program created for working professionals who want to expand their professional development.
As a student in the program, you learn the law within a specific area while gathering practical training in various legal analysis modes that will enhance your professional experience and knowledge.
The online program offers a flexible format for all students to gain valuable new skills without disruption, use student-to-student and instructor-to-student collaboration tools, and work in an interactive environment.
Courses/Programs Offered
Tuition cost is $950 per credit, regardless of in-state or out-of-state location.
In addition to foundational coursework, student must specialize in three areas: Homeland Security and Crisis Management Law, Cybersecurity Law, and Healthcare Law.
Contact Information
- Address: College Park, MD 20742, United States
- Phone: +1 301-405-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Legal Studies Salary Information
Graduates of a Master of Legal Studies program in Maryland can expect to earn $54,065 per year.
This is depending upon location, cost of living, industry, company, and other factors.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$86K |
|
$95K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Maryland
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $95,008 |
| Frederick | $99,259 |
| Silver Spring | $102,864 |
| Gaithersburg | $102,586 |
| Columbia | $94,821 |
| Dundalk | $95,008 |
| Potomac | $102,864 |
| Rockville | $102,771 |
| Waldorf | $102,586 |
| Germantown | $99,814 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 3,850 | $68,600 | $32.98 | $87,400 | $46,050 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | 50 | $61,010 | $29.33 | $92,530 | $42,870 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 30 | $49,190 | $23.65 | $68,860 | $35,390 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 320 | $64,300 | $30.91 | $88,210 | $37,670 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | 240 | $56,970 | $27.39 | $84,240 | $35,900 |
* 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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