The law is often a mysterious area for the general population, but learning about it can add to your career readiness and make you a more sought-after candidate for higher-paying positions.
It is estimated that those with a Master’s degree in Legal Studies can earn an average of $10,000 to $15,000 a year.
What is legal studies and where can it be useful? Read on to find out.
Legal Studies is law understanding for those who are not lawyers and judges.
It is a course meant to educate people on various areas of the law that pertain to their careers.
Those who can benefit include, but aren’t limited to, contract negotiators, those in foreign trade, medical field workers, and those who handle building compliance.
This knowledge can help in human resources, environmental areas, and many others.
If you have a keen interest in the law, especially how it pertains to your career area, you may be interested in seeking a Master’s degree in Legal Studies.
Let’s explore further.
The Schools
The Master’s in Legal Studies degree is fairly new, and many schools have yet to add it to their curriculum.
For this reason, there is only one school on this list that offers the degree in person.
The rest are online programs that are accredited and offer students a chance to earn this specialized degree from Vermont or anywhere.
1 Vermont Law & Graduate School
This school acquired its current name in 2022, but it has been around since 1972.
This combination of both the law school and the graduate school was designed to show the growth of the school.
It has gained a reputation as an up-and-coming law school in this country.
It is most noted for its program in Environmental Law.
Courses Offered
The 30-credit course in Legal Studies at this school can be completed within a year.
It is designed to not only teach about the laws but to also increase skills in negotiation, critical thinking, research, client advocacy, and written communication.
The program is comprised of three required courses.
These are U.S. Law and Legal Analysis, Comparative Law, and one of the core law classes such as Tort Law, Environmental Law, or one of ten other specialized law courses.
After completion of the three core classes, students will work closely with a mentor to design a program that meets their needs.
Before graduation, each student must also complete a writing project within the last two semesters of the program.
The cost of the program is $1,508 per credit hour.
This will see you spending approximately $45,240 for the complete course.
Contact Information
- Address: 164 Chelsea St., PO Box 96, South Royalton, VT 05068
- Phone: 802-831-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Cornell Law School
This privately owned research school is among the elite.
Every year, there are over 10,000 graduate students along with undergraduates.
The campus also features a Botanic Garden and a museum.
All of this is located in a beautiful setting surrounded by nature.
Courses Offered
The Master’s in Legal Studies program at Cornell is designed to be completed within 20 months.
The course is 30 credits in length.
It is designed for business professionals and can be used in human resources, compliance, contract negotiation, and more.
The core classes are Introduction to the U.S. Legal System, Working with Business Contracts, Business Organizations and Corporate Governance, Compliance Systems, and Regulatory Policy and Process.
You then have 17 elective options to further focus on what you most need.
These include such areas as health laws, international trade, persuasive communication, and conducting legal research.
You can expect to pay a total of $65,100 for the entire program.
Contact Information
- Address: Myron Taylor Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853
- Phone: 607-254-4636
- Website: Visit School Website
3 UCLA Law
The school opened in 1949.
The first class included five women.
The first graduating class of 44 students earned their degrees in 1952.
The school has continued to grow.
The school now has over 22,000 alumni including many government officials and judges.
Courses Offered
The Legal Studies Master’s degree can be completed in nine months full-time or 2-4 years part-time.
The school offers in-person, online, or a hybrid program to best meet the needs of those who attend.
Once the core classes are complete, students can choose one of nine specialties.
These are Business, Human Resources, Entertainment and Media, Health Law, Law &Technology, Criminal Law, Government & National Security, Public Interest, and Environmental Law.
You can expect to pay $75,000 for the entire program.
Contact Information
- Address: 110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Phone: 310-825-4321
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Drexel University
This school, located in Philadelphia, is one of the world’s foremost research institutions, coming in the top 100.
Their model of education is a combination of classroom and real-world experience.
They have been growing and improving since their founding in 1891.
Courses Offered
The Master’s program is designed to be completed in three years.
There are a total of 45 credits required.
This includes 25 credits in core classes and 20 in electives.
Core classes are Introduction to the Legal System, Compliance Skills, Ethics, Legal Research and Analysis, Risk Assessment and Management, and Master’s Capstone I and II.
You then take electives in one of nine specialty areas.
The specializations include such areas as Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Compliance, Entrepreneurship, and Sports Law.
The cost for this degree is $41,725.
Contact Information
- Address: 3320 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Phone: 215-895-2000
- Website: Visit School Website
5 Albany Law School
Albany Law School was opened in 1851.
The school offers six main degree options and 17 concentrations.
Courses Offered
Albany Law School offers a master of science in Legal Studies.
This 30-credit course can be completed in one year.
You can choose from five different available paths.
Concentrations include Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Financial Compliance and Risk Management, and Health Law and Compliance.
The required class is Introduction to Law and Legal Methods for Non-lawyers and a capstone thesis.
Each pathway also includes required courses.
You finish out with six elective credits for any class you choose.
The cost at this school is $1,591 per credit or a total of $47,730 for the entire program.
Contact Information
- Address: 80 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208
- Phone: 518-445-2326
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Hofstra University
Founded in 1935, Hofstra offers 175 undergraduate and 200 graduate degrees.
The student-faculty ratio is 13 to 1, making the classes small and interactive.
Courses Offered
The online Master of Arts in Legal Studies degree can be completed in two years.
You will be facing 30-33 credits for completion.
The program focuses on business law and health law.
The 11 courses you will be required to complete will be ones that you and your advisor sit and plan to meet your needs.
The cost is $1,485 per credit hour.
This translates into a total cost of $44,550.
Contact Information
- Address: 121 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549
- Phone: 516-463-6600
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Seton Hall University
This Catholic university was opened in 1856.
The average class size is 21 students.
There are just over 3600 graduate students each year.
The Law School is separate from the main campus and offers both in-person and online programs.
Courses Offered
This online degree program is designed to take one class at a time over two years, for a total of 31 credits.
Concentrations available for your choosing include Available concentrations include Financial Services Compliance, General Legal Studies, Health and Hospital Law, Law and the Creative Industries, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Law and Compliance, Gaming Law, and Sports Governance and Compliance.
Classes for the general legal studies program include required classes in Introduction to Law and Legal Writing, Fundamentals of Business Law, Torts: Liability for Civil Wrongs, and Constitutional Law Survey.
You then must choose six electives from a list of 35 classes that include such titles as Race and the Foundations of American Law, Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting, Gaming Law, Financial Crimes, and Clinical Research and Law.
The total cost for this degree program is $47,120.
Contact Information
- Address: One Newark Center, Newark, NJ 07102
- Phone: 973-275-2892
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Northeastern University
Opened in 1898, the Boston campus is the heart of research at this prestigious university.
There are over 18,000 graduate students each year.
The school also has five other locations.
Courses Offered
The two-year Master of Legal Studies degree is 27-31 credits in length, depending on which specialty you follow.
In addition to the general course, the school offers concentrations in health law, business law, human resources law, and intellectual property law.
Classes are meant to be taken one at a time, making it easier to maintain other responsibilities while learning.
You will first need to take two foundation courses.
These are Law and Legal Reasoning 1 and 2.
There are six core classes Law of Information and Records, Law and Strategy, Negotiation and Advocacy, Data regulation and Compliance, Law and Organizational Management, and Legal Foundations of Public Policy.
If you follow a general path, you will be able to take 9–12 credits in any area you like.
If you specialize, you will need two more required classes and an elective in your special concentration area.
You will then have to take one elective of your choosing.
Both the general and concentration paths are designed so that students have a chance to explore areas outside the degree program.
The cost for the entire program is just over $35,000.
Contact Information
- Address: 416 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115
- Phone: 877-374-7697
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Vermont Law & Graduate School |
|
#2 | Cornell Law School |
|
#3 | UCLA Law |
|
#4 | Drexel University |
|
#5 | Albany Law School |
|
#6 | Hofstra University |
|
#7 | Seton Hall University |
|
#8 | Northeastern University |
Legal Studies Salary Information
With a Master’s degree in Legal Studies, the actual salary you earn will depend greatly on where in the state you work and in what career field.
The highest salaries in Vermont are coming in at $80,877 a year, or $39 an hour.
For those with this degree at the lower end of the pay scale, $40,400 a year or $19 an hour is reported.
This means that the average salary in Vermont for those holding this degree is $56,027 a year, or $27 an hour.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$82K |
|
$90K |
|
$99K |
Average Salary in Vermont
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Barre | $91,311 |
| Bennington | $93,622 |
| Rutland | $92,328 |
| Burlington | $92,143 |
| Montpelier | $91,311 |
| South Burlington | $92,143 |
| Colchester | $92,143 |
| Williston | $92,143 |
| Essex Junction | $92,143 |
| Essex | $92,143 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 270 | $63,210 | $30.39 | $77,210 | $47,620 |
* 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 list is exactly what I needed! I’ve been considering a master’s in legal studies and didn’t realize Vermont had such strong programs. It’s great to see options that cater to different career paths, even outside traditional law roles.
As someone working in the legal field, a master’s in legal studies could be a great way to expand my knowledge without committing to law school. Vermont’s programs seem perfect for those who want to specialize without becoming a lawyer.
I’m thinking about shifting into a more legal-focused career, and this post gave me some great insight. The master’s programs in Vermont seem flexible enough for working professionals like me, which is exactly what I’ve been looking for.