Regardless of where your career takes you in the business, government, corporate, or non-profit world, you will work in an environment impacted by legal regulations and the law.
Now more than ever, employers seek professionals with specialized training and education to navigate the complex regulations and laws that apply to their organizations and operations.
Therefore, those who want to enhance their career by learning the law without earning a Juris Doctorate should consider a Master’s in Legal Studies (MLS) degree.
Pennsylvania is rich with colleges, many of which offer an MLS degree.
Keep reading to learn more about the best Master’s in Legal Studies programs in Pennsylvania!
Top Schools Offering Legal Studies Programs
Pennsylvania has countless exceptional schools and residents can take advantage of online offers for the ultimate flexibility.
1 Drexel University
degree that gives students the knowledge and skills required to understand the legal challenges faced by all organizations and businesses.
The program provides the foundational information so graduates can help current or future employers comply with changing regulations.
Drexel’s program has been ranked #3 in the U.S. for online Master’s in Legal Studies programs for 2024, so you can complete the program online, in-person, or via a hybrid option.
Courses/Programs Offered
In addition to basic legal foundational courses, the 45-credit program offers extensive concentrations that students can tailor to their career goals and interests.
These concentrations include:
- Criminal Law
- Higher Education Compliance
- Cybersecurity and Information Privacy
- Entrepreneurship and Law
- Financial Regulatory Compliance
- Healthcare Compliance
- NCAA Compliance and Sports Law
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Regulatory Compliance
- Human Resources Compliance
Contact Information
- Address: 3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
- Phone: +1 215-895-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Emory University
Emory Law School offers an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program that increases students’ knowledge of the various nuances of the law.
The online curriculum uses practical knowledge and application to real-world situations to help students understand the legal environment across all industries, regulatory frameworks, and the various aspects of federal and state governments.
Given the online format of this program, students have the flexibility to have a work-life balance.
Courses/Programs Offered
The program requires 30 credits to graduate and requires a virtual experience at the beginning and end of the program so students can mingle, connect, and network in a relaxed setting.
In addition to the required core legal classes that cover compliance, the American legal system, criminal law, contracts, torts, and legal writing and research, students must also specialize in one of the following four areas:
- Business Law
- Employment and Human Resources Law
- Regulation, Policy, and Healthcare Law
- Technology, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Law
Contact Information
- Address: 201 Dowman Dr, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
- Phone: +1 404-727-6123
- Website: Visit School Website
3 PennWest
PennWest offers an entirely online Master of Science in Legal Studies degree that caters to students and working professionals who have an interest in public policy and the law.
Students gain informational literacy, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills by exploring principles, reasoning, ethics, and legal theories within public policy.
The curriculum is taught by subject-matter experts and legal scholars who prepare students for rewarding careers across various industries.
Prospective students are not required to take any examination for program admission.
Courses/Programs Offered
This program teaches foundational topics including administrative agencies, civil litigation, legal methods, civil liberties, public policy, and the law.
In addition to the core classes, students must take elective options to specialize in specific areas of interest including international law, national security, family law, environmental law, and ethics.
Contact Information
- Address: Shropshire Hall, Clarion
- Phone: +1 814-393-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
4 The Penn State University
Offered through the Dickinson Law School, Penn State’s Master of Legal Studies is a graduate-level, 30-credit degree created to aid non-lawyers with enhancing their career with a foundation in law.
The program familiarizes students with the U.S. legal system structure with a focus on specific law aspects related to career goals.
Those working in government, law enforcement, regulatory compliance, real estate, social work, healthcare, education, or finance will gain specialized and foundational knowledge of the legal system.
The program can be taken full-time or part-time, in person, with start dates in the spring or fall semester.
Courses/Programs Offered
Students can expect fundamental courses like torts, contracts, negotiation, the American legal system, different law types, and drafting legal documents.
Concentrations include Organizing for Social Justice and Government Law and Policy.
Contact Information
- Address: 201 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802, United States
- Phone: +1 814-865-4700
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati has a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree program created to give students working legal knowledge that can be applied to any industry.
The curriculum delivers new knowledge and competencies to improve existing skills instead of preparing students for an entirely new career.
This degree is an excellent option for those who don’t intend to practice law but want to increase their legal acumen.
This may include those who collaborate with legal professionals, business owners who want to manage legal aspects of their business, or those in highly regulated industries.
The total tuition cost, including fees, is $29,250.
Courses/Programs Offered
The UC MLS program is entirely online and designed for working professionals who need the flexibility to balance work and school.
For those taking six credits per semester, the total program length is around 1.5 years.
The curriculum includes:
- Administrative Law
- Business Law
- Capstone Course
- Compliance
- Contracts: Negotiation, Formation, and Interpretation
- Employment Law
- Introduction to Law
- Legal Research and Communication
- Privacy and Cybersecurity Law
- Risk Management
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 Clifton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45221, United States
- Phone: +1 513-556-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
6 University of Miami
The University of Miami’s online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree is offered with a part-time, flexible schedule for those who have work and personal commitments.
This program was created for non-lawyer professionals who work in areas like risk management and legal compliance or work with lawyers.
This 30-credit program is taught by expert lawyers or those who are subject matter experts in their field.
Courses/Programs Offered
The curriculum requires 12 credits of core classes like Corporate Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management, Foundations in U.S. Law and Regulation, and Legal Research and Writing.
Students must also complete at least three specialization elective courses, including General, Healthcare, Technology, Human Resources, Real Estate, and Finance Law.
Students must also choose three classes from the general electives course availability, which cover topics like communication and ethics.
Contact Information
- Address: 1320 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
- Phone: +1 305-284-2211
- Website: Visit School Website
7 University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania’s Master in Law (ML) offering gives accomplished and emerging professionals across countless industries foundational knowledge of the legal system and laws.
Penn Carey Law is a leading global school in legal education, offering students unrivaled educational opportunities that create a deep understanding of legal concepts that can be impactful across multiple disciplines.
Yearly tuition for the ML degree is $66,640 with a general fee of $3,954 and a Tech Fee of $1,234, totaling $71,828.
Courses/Programs Offered
The curriculum was created for professionals and students who come from areas outside of the legal system but want to complement existing professional and academic pursuits with an understanding of how the law impacts their fields.
Fundamental courses include Law and Legal Methods, Medical Liability and Negligence, Technology and IP Law for Non-Lawyers, American Constitutional Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance, and Entrepreneurship Law.
Contact Information
- Address: Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
- Phone: +1 215-898-5000
- Website: Visit School Website
8 University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh’s Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree is a 30-credit graduate program created for those looking to add versatility to their careers without the traditional three-year Juris Doctorate.
The program helps graduates boost their careers with a strong legal foundation.
The program is also appropriate for attorneys who wish to enhance or recalibrate their knowledge of a specific area of law.
Students expand their knowledge of the U.S. Legal System with different concentrations, understand the rule of law, communicate legal issues in the workplace, and become familiar with contemporary legal issues.
The program is available part-time and full-time, in-person or online, which ranges from 2-4 years.
Courses/Programs Offered
This 30-credit program requires two introductory courses: The American Legal System and Torts.
Students can then select from over 200 legal courses to help tailor their educational experience toward a specific career, industry, or interest.
These courses cover ethics, legal research, international law, legal writing, and comparative law.
Contact Information
- Address: 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, United States
- Phone: +1 412-624-4141
- Website: Visit School Website
9 Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt’s online school offers a Master of Legal Studies (MLS), which teaches professionals from all industries how to navigate regulatory requirements and manage risk.
Students enroll from various fields ranging from finance, real estate, and technology to human resources, and compliance.
The program was built for those who want specialized knowledge to help them solve law-related issues, collaborate with counsel, and identify risk areas.
The Vanderbilt Law School is consistently ranked within the top 20 in the United States, so students can take solace in that they are receiving a top-notch education online.
Courses/Programs Offered
Throughout the program, students will take core classes like compliance, torts, contracts, ethics, legal writing and research, American law, and various law types.
The program also heavily emphasizes developing problem-solving, process design, oral and written communication, and critical thinking skills, which are lifelong attributes that can help with any position.
Contact Information
- Address: 2201 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37235, United States
- Phone: +1 615-322-7311
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Drexel University |
|
#2 | Emory University |
|
#3 | PennWest |
|
#4 | The Penn State University |
|
#5 | University of Cincinnati |
|
#6 | University of Miami |
|
#7 | University of Pennsylvania |
|
#8 | University of Pittsburgh |
|
#9 | Vanderbilt University |
Legal Studies Salary Information
Since a graduate with a Master of Legal Studies degree can opt for various positions, the following are salaries for different roles:
- Compliance Manager – $81,832
- Human Resources Director – $121,220
- Human Resources Operations Director – $119,306
- Senior Business Analyst – $114,707
- Senior Contract Negotiator – $94,867
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$83K |
|
$92K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Pennsylvania
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Allentown | $93,159 |
| Greensburg | $87,337 |
| Pittsburgh | $91,034 |
| Reading | $91,958 |
| Harrisburg | $90,202 |
| Bethlehem | $93,159 |
| Johnstown | $83,270 |
| State College | $84,380 |
| Philadelphia | $97,596 |
| Erie | $85,396 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 390 | $58,910 | $28.32 | $78,670 | $34,570 |
| Altoona, PA | 40 | $50,450 | $24.26 | $69,300 | $30,520 |
| Bloomsburg-Berwick, PA | 40 | $59,940 | $28.82 | $82,610 | $37,660 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 100 | $45,710 | $21.98 | $59,770 | $34,440 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 70 | $47,540 | $22.86 | $63,390 | $34,060 |
| Erie, PA | 130 | $54,240 | $26.08 | $76,350 | $32,990 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 810 | $59,830 | $28.77 | $77,990 | $46,370 |
| Johnstown, PA | 40 | $48,940 | $23.53 | $74,240 | $29,340 |
| Lancaster, PA | 260 | $57,510 | $27.65 | $76,130 | $38,470 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 9,320 | $71,110 | $34.19 | $98,570 | $45,500 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 2,260 | $64,280 | $30.9 | $88,050 | $39,620 |
| Reading, PA | 170 | $58,960 | $28.34 | $78,940 | $38,130 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 240 | $64,870 | $31.19 | $76,390 | $44,420 |
| State College, PA | 30 | $56,540 | $27.19 | $74,870 | $36,880 |
| Williamsport, PA | 80 | $53,360 | $25.65 | $72,960 | $39,570 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 230 | $55,920 | $26.88 | $75,730 | $40,060 |
* 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
This is exactly what I needed! I’ve been exploring master’s programs in legal studies, and Pennsylvania seems to have some great options. Now I just need to figure out which program aligns best with my career goals.
I’m already working in the legal field and considering a master’s to deepen my knowledge. This list is super helpful—especially since some of these programs offer part-time or online options that fit around a busy work schedule!