Whether you’re looking to become a legal consultant, compliance director, private investigator, or court administrator, you should consider earning a master’s degree in legal studies.
If you reside in Virginia, you should be happy to know that there are plenty of schools, both online and in-person, that offer master’s in legal studies programs.
This guide will provide you with a list of those schools to help you on your journey to landing your dream career.
1 William & Mary Law School
William & Mary Law School offers 100% remote programs that provide students with the opportunity to get ahead.
Faculty at this school are made up of doctorally trained professors and public officials who all have years of experience in law.
William & Mary Law School has been serving the community since 1779 and is also known as the first law school in the country.
The school educates leaders, lawyers, professionals, advocates, and more who are up for a challenge.
Their goal is to help improve the legal system in the country by excelling in public service and commitment to the classroom.
William & Mary Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association.
Courses Offered
William & Mary Law School offers a master’s in legal studies program.
It is 100% online and is divided into five different semesters.
Students can complete this part-time program in about eight weeks.
Students will receive a total of 32 credits at the end of this program.
Some of the courses that students will take in this program include:
- Law, Ethics, and Responsible Leadership
- Introduction to U.S. Law and the Legal System
- Business Associations and Organizational Management
- Foundations of Regulatory Law
- Contract Law
Through this program, students will learn the core legal concepts, and gain an understanding of legal principles related to mergers, acquisitions, and more.
Students will also learn how to solve complex problems.
Contact Information
- Address: 613 South Henry St l Williamsburg, VA 23185
- Phone: 757-255-7957
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Regent University
Regent University was founded in 1977 and has more than 13,000 students enrolled.
The university offers various programs, including associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and even doctoral degrees in a wide range of studies including communication and arts, cybersecurity, business, and technology.
Regent University is known as one of the best colleges in Virginia and is ranked among the top national universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Regent University has about eight different accreditations, with the main one being the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.
Regent University has an average annual tuition of $25,000.
Faculty, students, and administrators share a calling, which is based on biblical principles, all of which help make a difference in the world.
Courses Offered
Regent University also offers a master’s in general legal studies program.
It is also 100% online and provides students with a total of 32 credit hours.
It’s an excellent program that helps students expand their legal knowledge and much more.
Students will better understand various laws that will help their reputation as they begin their new profession.
Some of the courses that students will take within this program include:
- Business Entities
- American Tort System
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Property Law and Policy
Once students have completed the program, they will be able to apply their knowledge in various settings, have knowledge of legal issues, and much more.
Students will be able to earn their master’s degree in just five semesters and even select from a wide variety of courses.
Contact Information
- Address: 1000 Regent University Dr l Virginia Beach, VA 23464
- Phone: 757-352-4127
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Liberty University
Liberty University is officially accredited by SACSCOC.
They offer a variety of majors including legal studies, aviation, arts and sciences, business, communication and design, education, law, and more.
There are more than 600 online degree programs.
They are proudly ranked in the top 10% of niches.com, the best online schools in the U.S.
They have also been recognized for academic quality, accessibility, and affordability.
Liberty University is a private, nonprofit university.
Not only will students be challenged academically, but they’ll also be pushed spiritually through various worship meetings that take place weekly.
Courses Offered
A great way to learn various legal skills, even if you have no plan to become an attorney, is to enroll in Liberty University.
This legal studies program was created to give students unique legal skills to help them thrive in their specific industry.
It can also help open up various doors to many roles.
This program is 100% remote.
Students will learn the foundational principles of law and policy.
They will also learn to write and research for legal studies, and much more.
This program enables students to transfer credits up to 50% of the total degree.
The course takes about eight weeks to complete and students will earn 30 credit hours upon successful completion.
The program is flexible and customizable.
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd l Lynchburg, VA 24515
- Phone: 866-607-0506
- Website: Visit School Website
4 University of Richmond
The University of Richmond was established in 1870.
It has a successful and long history of helping students prepare for a wide variety of legal careers.
It is known for being one of the most technologically progressive law schools in the country.
Students are highly encouraged to explore a wide variety of programs and subjects.
The university has been serving the community since 1830.
Several rankings consistently deliver placement for the university being among the nation’s best schools.
They are ranked number 25 for the best liberal arts colleges, and second for having the most beautiful campus.
They represent a total of 3,164 undergraduates and more than 62 countries.
The average tuition paid is $60,740 per year.
The University of Richmond is proudly accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The university offers various majors, minors, and concentrations, including American studies, accounting, law, and more.
Courses Offered
The master’s of legal studies program that is offered at the University of Richmond was created for those who wish to dive into a deeper understanding of the law, with no intention of practicing as lawyers.
The program covers a range of legal topics, all of which can be uniquely customized to meet students’ career goals.
The tuition costs $721 per hour for graduate students.
Several courses that students will take in this program include business law, risk management, communication and negotiation skills, legal research and communication, business law, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 490 Westhampton Way l University of Richmond, VA 23173
- Phone: 804-289-8133
- Website: Visit School Website
5 George Mason University
George Mason University has a remarkable mission, and that is to create a free, just, and prosperous world.
The university was established by the Commonwealth of Virginia in the National Capital Region. They are a public research university.
They have a wonderful student body, made up of all 50 states, and 130 countries all over the world.
They are known as the state’s largest public research university.
They offer over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
They also offer many different minors and certificate programs to help meet the needs of students.
Recent graduates from George Mason University become successful employees in some of the top industries in the country, including health care, education, and technology.
George Mason University is ranked number one in the state and number nine in the nation.
George Mason University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
George Mason University offers various programs that are related to legal studies.
This program is specifically designed to provide students with an overview of the country and its laws.
The coursework that this program covers includes various areas of the law, business law, property, tort law, contractors, and regulations.
The courses that students will take will provide students with a lot of exposure to extensive amounts of pertinent information in a short period, as well as a survey on each topic.
Tuition for this program costs $24,136 per year.
If you are out of state, the program costs about $139,984 per year.
With this program, students are only required to complete 15 credit hours before moving on to their electives.
This program is remote and takes approximately one year to complete.
However, it can take two years for students who are studying part-time.
This program is ideal for professionals who interact with attorneys and or legal issues regularly.
Contact Information
- Address: 3301 Fairfax Dr l Arlington, VA 22201
- Phone: 703-993-8637
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, VA, and is the 12th-ranked liberal arts school in the nation.
The university was founded in 1749 and is known as the ninth-oldest college in the nation.
Students can take advantage of the opportunity to grow intellectually and prepare for their future professions.
The university has various core values, including civility, integrity, and honor.
Washington and Lee University is accredited by the SACSCOC.
Courses Offered
Washington and Lee University offers a law, justice, and society program that is closely related to legal studies.
It helps students gain knowledge about the nature of law and justice.
Students are challenged to think critically and freely.
The program attracts both those who already have undergraduate degrees and those with law degrees.
Students will be involved in an excellent curriculum including chemistry, economics, history, and more.
Students will engage in poverty law courses, mass media law, cyber policy and privacy law, and additional courses.
If you’re interested in an interdisciplinary examination of the law, this program is for you.
Contact Information
- Address: 204 W. Washington St. l Lexington, VA 24450
- Phone: 540-458-8400
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | William & Mary Law School |
|
#2 | Regent University |
|
#3 | Liberty University |
|
#4 | University of Richmond |
|
#5 | George Mason University |
|
#6 | Washington and Lee University |
Legal Studies Salary Information
For those living in Virginia, the average salary per year for those working in a profession that requires a master’s in legal studies is roughly $71,000.
There are certain jobs where such a degree could earn you much more.
For instance, compliance directors earn an average of $208,667 per year.
In addition, some of the most popular industries for those with a background in legal studies are intellectual property law, real estate, and general business.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$83K |
|
$92K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Virginia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | $102,864 |
| Arlington | $102,864 |
| Centreville | $102,494 |
| Chesapeake | $86,875 |
| Portsmouth | $87,060 |
| Virginia Beach | $88,354 |
| Hampton | $87,522 |
| Reston | $102,679 |
| Richmond | $89,925 |
| Lynchburg | $84,749 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 50 | $50,340 | $24.2 | $73,330 | $29,230 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 220 | $57,660 | $27.72 | $74,580 | $37,410 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 100 | $54,160 | $26.04 | $67,480 | $37,120 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 110 | $49,900 | $23.99 | $62,240 | $35,230 |
| Richmond, VA | 2,330 | $58,300 | $28.03 | $81,020 | $41,470 |
| Roanoke, VA | 340 | $52,120 | $25.06 | $68,540 | $35,310 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 50 | $52,710 | $25.34 | $66,300 | $35,520 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 1,710 | $56,130 | $26.99 | $75,150 | $36,670 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 110 | $51,970 | $24.99 | $64,550 | $36,770 |
* 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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