A master’s in legal studies (MLS) opens many doors to law-adjacent job fields.
Students who complete an MLS or related degree can work in various fields, from healthcare and government to the justice system
It’s a beneficial degree when a bachelor’s degree is not enough.
Here are the top picks if you’re looking for MLS programs in Rhode Island.
Schools
Rhode Island only has one official Masters of Legal Studies (MLS) program offered at Roger Williams University.
Future students may find it beneficial to apply to an online MLS program.
Below, we list two options locally in Rhode Island, with a few other online accredited programs.
1 Roger Williams University Law
Roger Williams University Law (RWU) in Bristol, Rhode Island, offers a Master of Studies in Law degree.
The school’s approach is to teach theoretical principles not only but also application; this unique approach helps prepare mid-career-level professionals to enhance their effectiveness in a wide variety of fields, instilling a sense of preparedness and confidence in their future careers.
Courses Offered/Program Name
At RWU, the Masters of Studies in Law program is not just about understanding the American legal system.
It’s about giving students the power to shape their academic journey.
With the flexibility to choose a concentration that aligns with their career goals and the ability to complete the 30-credit program in a year, this program is designed for those who want to tailor their MLS experience.
By completing the MLS degree, students will be able to do the following:
- Identify and apply basic law concepts
- Be able to construct legal arguments, conclusions, and facts
- Use gained knowledge effectively in a law-related field
Those attending the program will need to complete two core courses, a 1L required course and a capstone or direct research course.
Students will also be expected to fill the rest of their credit hours with electives.
A complete list of elective classes ranging in different concentrations of law is available.
RWU is one of the better law schools due to its program design and its many subject matter areas and concentrations.
Students who are undecided or want to learn about other concentrated regions will enjoy the program.
Some of the subject matter areas include:
- Admiralty and maritime law
- Business and corporate law
- Civil litigation and dispute resolution
- Constitutional law
- Criminal law
- Cybersecurity law
- Etc.
For a complete list of available subject matter areas, click here.
Students can expect to pay $977 per credit, which roughly translates to $29,310.
However, tuition is estimated at $46,404, with other fees included.
Students may apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to help cover the cost of tuition.
Contact Information
- Address: 10 Metacom Ave, Bristol, RI 02809
- Phone: (401) 254-4500
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Rhode Island College
Rhode Island College is in Providence and offers a Justice Studies M.A. program.
While not an MLS program, the two degrees have overlapping topics that can lead to the same careers.
Justice studies focus more heavily on criminal law, whereas legal studies focus on law.
Courses Offered/Program Name
The Justice Studies M.A. is crafted to help students earn an advanced degree in justice and social service fields.
Students who attend this program often work in law enforcement, social and human services, nonprofits, and criminology.
The degree mainly focuses on providing a solid foundation in writing, research, and analytical skills necessary in an area of focus.
The courses are delivered through hybrid and in-class instruction.
Students who attend the program are expected to complete a master’s thesis and a master’s project.
Applicants can also look for assistantships that are available annually.
Upon completion of the degree, students will be able to evaluate policies and services in the criminal justice field.
They will also gain knowledge about new research existing in the field.
Students may also conduct original research and demonstrate an advanced understanding of criminology, sociology, and policy.
Potential students will need to contact the university for tuition pricing.
Contact Information
- Address: 600 Mt Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI 02908
- Phone: (401) 456-8000
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) in Phoenix, AZ, offers a unique online Masters of Legal Studies program.
This program is ideal for students who require the flexibility of online learning and cannot attend a physical location in Rhode Island or Arizona.
Courses Offered/Program Name
ASU’s MLS program, offered entirely online, is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the legal field.
The university’s robust support system and resources ensure that students feel confident and reassured throughout their academic journey, knowing that they are not alone in their pursuit of knowledge and career advancement.
The program’s purpose is to prepare students to study law without a full law degree.
This program enables students to apply to work in various fields.
Students can choose electives based on their concentration, thus furthering their education in other fields.
Students will have the choice of specializing in one of these concentrations:
- Business law
- Conflict resolution
- Contract management
- Construction law
- Corporate and healthcare compliance
- Criminal law
- Etc
For a complete list of concentrations, please click here.
Upon completing the MLS program at ASU, students can expect to enter various careers.
Many of ASU’s MLS students have found success as athletic directors, chief executive officers, compliance officers, contract managers, and sustainability managers, among other roles.
This program opens doors to a wide range of law-adjacent job fields.
Tuition is estimated at $35,160, with $1,172 for each credit.
ASU accepts financial aid and payment plans depending on the degree.
Contact Information
- Address: 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, A
- Phone: (855) 278-5080
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Northeastern University School of Law
Northeastern University School of Law offers several legal programs online.
Students can apply to the MLS program, which is designed for non-lawyer professionals.
While not in Rhode Island, students can take the courses remotely.
Courses Offered/Program Name
The university offers a Master of Legal Studies degree entirely online.
The program focuses on specific disciplines taught by industry experts.
Students can also concentrate in one of five different specialties.
The concentrations are the following:
- Business law
- Health law
- Human Resources Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Public Law and Policy
The main two foundation courses are Introduction to Legal Studies I and Introduction to Legal Studies II.
Students then have the chance to choose their concentration and electives.
The program focuses on career-focused learning and provides real-world knowledge.
For more information about tuition costs, credits, or any other questions, students can contact the program below.
Contact Information
- Address: 416 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115
- Phone: (617) 373-2395
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Purdue University Global
Purdue Global is one of the largest online universities, offering multiple programs and degrees.
Students located in Rhode Island can take the MLS degree entirely online.
Purdue is an accredited university recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Courses Offered/Program Name
Purdue Global offers an online MLS degree that requires only 11 courses to complete.
Eight core courses and three electives are included.
The degree can be completed with 55 quarter credits and lasts over one year.
Outcomes for students attending the program include the following:
- Applying legal principles and concepts to real-world issues
- Reflecting on ethical and moral implications
- Applying leadership to shape change in the workplace environment
- Analyze and solve problems within their professional sphere
In addition, students who attend will be given access to Purdue Global Law Society, which can be used for networking after graduation.
The coursework is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to ensure that it’s accredited in the United States.
Tuition is estimated at $420 per credit, which equals $23,100.
However, students can reduce costs by transferring eligible credits, applying for financial aid, and applying for grants and loans.
In addition, partnered organizations with Purdue Global can offer lower tuition rates.
Military and prior military will also receive reduced tuition costs.
Contact Information
- Address: West Lafayette, IN
- Phone: (844-787-3834)
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University offers online law programs, including a Master’s in Legal Studies.
It is a private Christian research university with its main campus in Los Angeles, CA.
The university is also ABA accredited and is one of the top-ranked law schools.
Courses Offered/Program Name
The Masters of Legal Studies program can be completed in 16 to 24 months.
However, students generally take four to six units per term.
Students who take the maximum allowed courses can complete the program in a year.
Eight core courses focus on providing a deep understanding of legal concepts and procedures.
Eight general elective courses can be taken depending on concentration.
One of the program’s unique features is that students can apply to two in-person weekend residences on the main campus.
This allows students to network and put their education to the test.
In addition, students can get a dual degree that features a Master of Dispute Resolution.
To do this, students will need to take an additional 20 units.
However, it is well worth it if a student wants to work in negotiation.
Tuition is estimated at $66,820, making the tuition per unit $2,570.
Students can apply for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans or Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans.
Another option is to get private loans through other lenders.
Contact Information
- Address: 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90263
- Phone: (310) 506-4000
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Roger Williams University Law |
|
#2 | Rhode Island College |
|
#3 | Arizona State University |
|
#4 | Northeastern University School of Law |
|
#5 | Purdue University Global |
|
#6 | Pepperdine University |
Legal Studies Salary Information
The salary for an MLS graduate will depend on what field of concentration they specialize in.
According to PayScale, an MLS degree averages $71,000 in Rhode Island.
However, this amount can be much higher or lower depending on industry, location, and experience.
Here is a brief list of estimated salaries for an MLS degree holder by job type:
- Information security analyst – $119,860
- Mediator – $98,920
- Labor relations specialist – $87,470
- Compliance officer – $76,980
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$87K |
|
$96K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Rhode Island
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Coventry | $96,764 |
| Pawtucket | $96,949 |
| Cranston | $96,949 |
| Providence | $96,949 |
| Cumberland | $96,949 |
| East Providence | $96,949 |
| Warwick | $96,949 |
| Narragansett | $97,503 |
| Westerly | $98,335 |
| Woonsocket | $96,856 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,560 | $69,490 | $33.41 | $94,450 | $49,740 |
* 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
Leave a Reply