Have you ever considered having the legal career of your dreams – without attending law school?
The latest legal studies degrees make it possible for aspiring legal eagles who want to help maintain order, protect rights and civil liberties, and resolve disputes.
Discover exciting opportunities for today’s MLS degree holders and learn what you can do with a Master’s in Legal Studies degree as a non-lawyer below.
What Is a Master’s in Legal Studies Degree?
A legal studies degree is a specialized credential designed for students with a bachelor’s degree.
Ambitious legal professionals seeking to enter the legal field without attending law school opt for the legal studies degree which educates them on the necessary foundational legal principles which can include some of the following.
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Business Law
- Civil and Criminal Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contract Law
- Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Legal Research and Writing
- Overview of the US Legal System
- Regulatory Compliance
This short-term legal degree readies graduates to aid judicial officials and law enforcement in maintaining order, protecting the rights and freedoms of the community, facilitating peaceful conflict resolutions, and ensuring legal compliance to preserve civil order and prevent civil unrest.
What Is the Difference Between an MLS Degree and a Juris Doctorate?
Many people confuse the MLS and the Juris Doctorate.
An easy way to remember the differences between the two is to understand that the JD is specifically designed for law students who want to become licensed attorneys.
On the other hand, the MLS degree is strictly for aspiring legal professionals who are interested in working in the legal field as non-lawyers.
The MLS degree is a shorter-term degree that can be earned in three years or less by students who already hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Tuition for MLS degree programs is likely to be less than that of longer-term JD programs, which can tack on as much as four additional years to the career pathways of Bachelor’s degree students.
What You Can Do With a Masters in Legal Studies Degree?
The opportunities for graduates who hold a Masters in Legal Studies degree are plentiful.
MLS degree holders can find employment in almost every industry.
MLS degree holders can work in law offices, courtrooms, and corporate legal departments.
We can also find non-lawyers with advanced credentials working diligently side by side with corporate teams in small to enterprise-sized HR departments, contract management offices, regulatory offices, and healthcare facilities.
Career Roles and Salary Averages for MLS Degree Holders
Bachelor’s degree holders considering furthering their careers by earning an MLS degree can find well-paying jobs and career roles.
The following are a few examples of non-lawyer jobs in the legal field with their average annual salaries as reported by the BLS and Salary.com.
Compliance Officers
Average Annual Salary: $75,670.00 per year
Regulatory officers, Risk Managers, and Compliance Specialists enforce legal and regulatory compliance in a variety of professional environments.
Where They Work: Corporations, Government Agencies, Healthcare Facilities, Manufacturing and Environmental Industries, Financial Industries
Contract Managers
Average Annual Salary: $135,580.00 per year
Degreed professionals assigned to draft, review, and approve legal documents are tasked with ensuring compliance and communicating legalities to stakeholders, This requires an in-depth understanding of contract law.
Where They Work: Legal Firms, Corporations, Government Entities, Healthcare Organizations, Construction Firms
Court Reporters
Average Annual Salary: $63,940.00 per year
Courtroom officials who document the proceedings of trials and depositions, and work for corporate legal teams transcribe verbatim legal documents that become official and binding legal records, there are many online programs for court reporters.
Where They Work: Courtrooms, Depositions, Administrative Hearings, Arbitration Proceedings, Conferences and Events
Healthcare Administrators
Average Annual Salary: $110,680.00
MLS degree holders working as Healthcare Administrators take on the challenging role of ensuring that hospitals and other medical facilities are legally compliant.
These top healthcare officials make well-paying salaries as entry-level legal pros.
Where They Work: Hospitals, Clinics, Public Health Facilities, Long-Term Care Facilities, Health Insurance Companies, Medical Offices
Mediators
Average Annual Salary: $95,370.00 per year
Legal specialists working as Mediators help clients navigate complex legal disputes related to business law, family law, corporate law, and a variety of other legal disciplines.
These conflict-resolution experts are in high demand across a variety of industries.
Where They Work: Law Firms, Court Systems, Community Mediation Facilities, Government Agencies, and Corporate Legal Departments.
Paralegals
Average Annual Salary: $60,970.00 per year
Courtroom professionals who work side by side with attorneys and judicial officials to conduct administrative legal tasks that can include research, case file management, and filing time-sensitive documents with local courts, paralegals are usually in high demand.
Where They Work: Courts, Non-Profit Organizations, Government Agencies, Law Firms, Independent Practice in Selected States.
Sources
- Contract Manager Salary in the United States
https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/contracts-manager-salary - Field of Degree: Law and Legal Studies – BLS
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/law-and-legal-studies/law-and-legal-studies-field-of-degree.htm - Occupational Outlook Handbook – Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes231022.htm - Occupational Outlook Handbook – Paralegals and Legal Assistants
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm - Occupational Outlook Handbook – Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/court-reporters.htm - Occupational Outlook Handbook – Compliance Officers
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/compliance-officers.htm - Occupational Outlook Handbook – Medical and Health Services Managers
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does it Take to Earn a Master's in Legal Studies Degree?
The Master in Legal Studies degree offers a fast track for legal specialists who want to enter the field in under three years.
Today’s MLS programs offer Bachelor’s degree holders a variety of full-time and part-time educational options that make it possible for students in fast-track programs to complete their degree requirements in as little as one year.
The time it takes to complete an MLS degree program depends on many factors, including whether you are enrolling in a part-time, full-time, or hybrid program.
Full-time students who dedicate the bulk of their time to completing mandatory degree requirements will complete their programs faster than part-time students who have the additional burdens of carrying out everyday obligations while attending school.
Can I Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree Online?
Yes!
The explosion of accredited web-based MLS degree programs is making it possible for students to begin careers as legal analysts, compliance officers, healthcare administrators, and mediators online.
Online MLS degree programs provide enrollees with the same comprehensive and foundation legal education as offline programs.
Web-based students are awarded the same credentials as students who attend brick-and-mortar classes, making online study ideal for career switchers, students with families, and those who want to attend prestigious schools outside their geographical area.
How Do I Choose the Best Masters in Legal Studies Degree Program for Me?
If you’re thinking about taking on an MLS degree, begin by researching programs with specializations and course offerings that align with your career goals.
Review the curriculum options available for each program you are interested in and verify that each program you apply to is accredited and offers the scheduling and attendance options that suit your needs.
Factors to Consider When Choosing An MLS Degree Program
- MLS Course Offerings
- MLS Specializations Available
- Program Accreditation and School Reputation
- Flexible Scheduling Options
- Attendance Costs and Financial Aid Options
- Career Support Options
Once you’ve settled on an MLS degree program that aligns with your educational needs, career goals, and budget, you can begin the application process by applying to your desired program of interest and providing relevant documentation for admission.
Aspiring legal students need to note that each MLS program has its own entry and application requirements.
Some programs may require that you apply to both the MLS program and the law school hosting the program.
Talk to your graduate program admissions advisor or your academic advisor for program specifics including application requirements, fees, and deadlines.
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