If you have ever imagined yourself working in a high-powered legal career, but you haven’t taken the next steps to apply to law school, this is the guide for you.
Our guide provides an overview of one of the most in-demand advanced legal degrees helping students to achieve their career goals and work in high-powered and high-paying legal positions – without attending law school.
Learn about the benefits of holding an MLS degree in Oregon and get details on some of the best MLS degree programs offering instruction in our guide below.
We also provide details on distance-based programs that accept students from Oregon and nationwide in our guide to the best MLS programs for Oregon students.
Best Masters in Legal Studies Programs in Oregon
The best Master in Legal Studies programs in Oregon prepares graduates to hit the ground running almost as soon as they earn their degrees.
Top-rated legal programs provide students with a solid legal foundation that readies them for working in a variety of high-level administrative, analytical, and negotiation-based roles typically reserved for JD holders and lawyers.
MLS programs below offer graduates quick entry into high-paying legal careers without the hassle of attending law school or earning an even more advanced legal degree.
Below, we discuss some of the top MLS programs in the state and beyond, including online MLS programs that accept local students applying from the state of Oregon and nationwide.
1 Willamette University College of Law
Oregon students seeking to gain a foundational legal education after earning a bachelor’s degree can enroll at the Wilmette University College of Law.
Their Master of Legal Studies program educates legal trainees on the fundamentals needed to begin entry-level or mid-level legal careers in Oregon and nationwide.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Legal Studies (MLS): MLS students at Wilmette University’s College of Law are exposed to a variety of legal courses that are also available to JD-seeking law students.
Wilmette’s MLS degree program is competitive and they accept new enrollees into the fall and spring programs twice per year.
Courses Offered
- Contracts
- Civil Procedure
- Criminal Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Constitutional Law
- Torts
Program Strengths and Advantages
Some of the best features of the MLS degree program at Wilmette include externships, access to law journals, and legal clinics that provide immersive legal education for prospective graduates.
Their fast-tracked MLS program is designed to instill foundational legal skills needed for working and aspiring legal professionals to immediately begin applying their new legal skills upon graduation.
Contact Information
- Address: 245 Winter Street SE, Salem, Oregon - 97301
- Phone: 503-370-6282
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Drexel University - Kline School of Law
Drexel University Online operates one of the best Master in Legal Studies programs available for Bachelors degree holding students according to several sources including US News and World Report.
Their online MLS program is designed for distance-based non-lawyers seeking to begin or expand their legal knowledge to work in high-powered, high-income legal roles.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Legal Studies: Students enrolled in Drexel’s general Master of Legal Studies degree program can opt to take up to two legal concentrations along with their primary degree.
This means that legal hopefuls can drill down their legal skills and boost their careers in the areas of criminal law, cybersecurity, healthcare law, and other in-demand legal fields across Oregon and nationwide.
Courses Offered
- General Legal Education
- Criminal Law
- Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Compliance
- Higher Education Compliance
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Regulatory Compliance
Program Strengths and Advantages
The MLS degree programs and their related concentrations at Drexel focus on the most in-demand topics in the legal industry.
Students who enroll in their degree or certificate programs at the Kline School of Law are updated on the latest emergent legal technologies and procedures that give them a competitive edge when starting or up-leveling their legal careers.
Contact Information
- Address: 3141 Chestnut Street, Suite 15, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 19104
- Phone: 800-2-DREXEL
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Seattle University School of Law
The Seattle University School of Law gives Oregon students the opportunity to earn a Master of Legal Studies in Compliance and Risk Management online.
Today’s Risk Managers have well-paying careers where their legal skills are required to interpret complex documents, situations, and communications as non-lawyers.
Degree Programs Offered
Master of Legal Studies MLS in Risk Management and Compliance: Seattle University legal students learn the fundamentals needed to be able to assess, interpret, and avoid risk in a variety of legal environments.
Their online MLS option provides additional specializations for students who want to hone their legal skills in a specific area of the law.
Courses Offered
- Critical Aspects of Risk Management
- Corporate Compliance
- Data and Cybersecurity Compliance
- Healthcare Compliance
- Sports Law Compliance
Program Strengths and Advantages
The online MLS program at Seattle University provides distance-based students with the flexibility to complete their advanced legal education online in a part-time or full-time capacity.
Additional concentration options make it possible for Masters level degree holders to begin or uplevel robust legal careers with well-paying salaries in Oregon.
Contact Information
- Address: 901 12th Avenue, Seattle, Washington - 98122
- Phone: 206-398-4268
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Willamette University College of Law |
|
#2 | Drexel University - Kline School of Law |
|
#3 | Seattle University School of Law |
Legal Studies Salary Information
Masters in Legal Studies – Salary for Oregon Graduates
MLS degree holders in Oregon make high-paying salaries to supplement their high-powered careers.
Graduates with advanced general legal education and specialized legal education can find themselves earning salaries well into the triple digits depending on their career role.
The following are high and low-salary examples for MLS-level legal professionals working in Oregon.
- Business Analyst: $92,000 – $130,000
- Compliance Officer: $66,000 – $140,000
- Contracts Negotiator: $86,579 – $106,168
- Health Services Administrator: $83,000 – $130,000
- Law Librarian: $52,000 – $91,000
- Legal Assistant: $56,000 – $85,000
- Paralegal: $56,000 – $90,000
- Risk Manager: $100,000 – $160,000
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$85K |
|
$93K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Oregon
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Albany | $91,773 |
| Gresham | $96,117 |
| Salem | $92,790 |
| Beaverton | $96,302 |
| Springfield | $92,235 |
| Bend | $91,403 |
| Oregon City | $95,932 |
| Eugene | $92,512 |
| Hillsboro | $95,932 |
| Medford | $92,143 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 40 | $56,270 | $27.05 | $74,430 | $35,610 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | ** | $67,450 | $32.43 | $83,650 | $46,180 |
| Corvallis, OR | 50 | $58,530 | $28.14 | $76,840 | $45,760 |
| Eugene, OR | 430 | $58,580 | $28.16 | $77,710 | $44,990 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 40 | $71,230 | $34.24 | $135,200 | $41,280 |
| Medford, OR | 120 | $57,470 | $27.63 | $74,610 | $40,530 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,510 | $73,220 | $35.2 | $101,970 | $50,340 |
| Salem, OR | 470 | $60,740 | $29.2 | $82,640 | $45,630 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
What Is a Master in Legal Studies Degree?
A Master of Legal Studies is a condensed legal degree that allows students with a bachelor’s degree to gain comprehensive legal education for quick entry into the legal field and career advancement.
Holding an MLS degree is an option for non-lawyers interested in taking on high-level legal careers – without having to attend or complete law school.
This relatively new advanced legal degree is making it possible for students to skyrocket their legal careers in shorter periods.
How Long Does it Take to Earn an MLS Degree in Oregon?
Most students who enroll in online or campus-based Master in Legal Studies programs can complete their degree requirements within one to three years.
There are fast-track program options available for advanced students which may allow them to graduate earlier.
Part-time MLS students and those seeking to earn one or more legal concentrations can expect to spend more time completing their program requirements than full-time attendees who typically complete their studies in about one year.
Who Is Eligible to Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree in Oregon?
Eligibility for earning a Master in Legal Studies degree is largely dependent on the admissions and application policies of your selected program.
In most cases, top MLS degree-granting schools will accept students who already hold a bachelor’s degree (in any discipline) as long as they meet their remaining admissions criteria.
The best way to learn about and increase your chances for admission to your desired campus-based or online MLS program is to contact the graduate admissions advisor or the academic advisor to learn which requirements apply to your case.
Prospective students should complete their due diligence to discover critical details about application admission dates, admissions requirements, tuition, fees, and financial aid options for qualified students.
Can I Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree Completely Online?
Yes! Many MLS degree seekers are pleased to learn that they can earn their advanced legal degree by attending classes from an ABA-approved or accredited college or university online.
Students enrolled in web-based MLS programs receive the same level of education, training, and support as their offline counterparts with no loss of quality and they earn an equivalent Master’s degree as campus-based students.
What Roles Can I Work in with a Master of Legal Studies Degree in MA?
Opportunities for MLS degree holders living and working in Oregon are almost limitless as the need for highly skilled legal professionals continues to grow across the state and the country.
Recent MLS graduates are finding and enhancing career roles related to some of the following industries in Oregon:
- Contract Negotiation
- Criminal Justice and Policy
- Cybersecurity and Data Protection
- Environmental Protection Law
- Healthcare Administration and Policy
- Intellectual Property Law
- Law Enforcement and Criminal Law
- Legal Analytics
- Paralegals
- Public Policy Administration
- Risk Management Professionals
- State, Federal, or Local Government Careers
What Does the Legal Landscape Look Like for Master’s in Legal Studies Degree Holders in Oregon?
The legal landscape for Oregon’s Master’s in Legal Studies degree holders looks bright.
Highly skilled and well-trained legal professionals are in high demand across a variety of industries, including business, healthcare, education, national security, finance, and beyond.
The wealth of career opportunities for MLS degree graduates makes it easy for these newly educated legal eagles to dive into new careers in some of the following in-demand roles.
In-demand legal professions for MLS degree holders in Oregon include some of the following industries.
- Criminal Justice
- Dispute Resolution
- Education Law
- Energy Law
- Environmental Law
- Healthcare Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Natural Resources Law
What Courses Can I Expect to Take in a Master of Legal Studies Degree Program in Oregon?
Legal students enrolled in campus-based and online MLS programs in Oregon can expect to be exposed to a variety of legal courses as they shape their careers.
Most students will begin by taking foundational legal courses that explain the basics of US laws and the Justice system as they branch out into more complex and concentration-specific areas of study.
It is important to note that each student’s degree pathway will vary based on their level of education, the degree or certificate program chosen, and the recommendations of their graduate or academic advisors.
The following are examples of available courses offered by some of the top MLS granting institutions listed above.
- Introduction to American Law
- Contract Law
- Corporate Law and Compliance
- Critical Aspects of Risk Management
- Data and Cybersecurity Compliance
- Business and Transactional Law
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law
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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