Is a master of legal studies worth it?
Written by: James M. Tobin, Edited by: Gabriela Pérez Jordán
Published: May 5, 2025
Build advanced legal knowledge by earning a master of legal studies. Explore the degree's value and career potential for non-aspiring lawyers.
Find the right master of legal studies program for you
What is a master of legal studies?
A master of legal studies (MLS) is a specialized program that differs from the juris doctor (JD) and master of laws (LLM) degrees held by licensed attorneys. MLS degrees are designed for individuals who require advanced technical legal knowledge but do not intend to become lawyers. Professionals who frequently collaborate with attorneys may also opt to pursue an MLS degree.
Examples of these career tracks include:
- Arbitrators and negotiators
- Human resource managers
- Paralegals
Master of legal studies programs can be delivered though in-person, online, and hybrid formats. MLS programs typically have compact curicula that lead to graduation in about one year of full-time study.
What are the benefits of a master's degree in legal studies?
Earning an MLS degree could help you:
- Develop deep knowledge of the law and legal systems
- Increase your professional growth or advancement potential
- Enter or advance in high-paying, management-level career paths
- Gain a competitive edge in the job market
Is getting a master of legal studies worth it?
Earning an MLS degree can help you pursue non-lawyer roles in the legal industry, such as paralegal or legal assistant, and develop a greater understanding of administrative frameworks, compliance standards, or other technical regulations.
You'll need to perform a detailed cost-benefit analysis to determine whether a master of legal studies is worth it for your career goals and financial capacity. Consider:
- The program's cost
- The necessary time investment
- The salary you could earn with the degree compared to what you might make without it
Under American Bar Association rules, MLS coursework cannot transfer to an accredited JD degree. MLS programs are not generally recommended for students who want to become lawyers.
How much does an MLS degree cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), graduate students across all areas of study and institution types paid an average of $20,513 in tuition and required fees during the 2021–22 school year. The NCES reported the average cost by tuition type as:
- Public institutions: $12,596
- Private for-profit institutions: $14,161
- Private nonprofit institutions: $29,931
Earning an online MLS degree may lead to savings since some schools apply lower tuition rates to learners in fully online programs. Others offer special perks, like in-state tuition rates to out-of-state online students attending public colleges.
Are MLS graduates in demand?
Job market demand for MLS graduates varies, depending on the career path you follow.
The following table breaks down projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for several roles you can pursue with an MLS degree.
| Jobs for developmental psychology graduates | |
|---|---|
| Job title | Median annual salary (May 2023) |
| Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators | $71,540 |
| Human resources managers | $136,350 |
| Paralegals and legal assistants | $60,970 |
Take the next step in your career
Advance your knowledge in the legal field with a master's of legal studies degree. Check out edX's MLS degree programs, or get started with a course today.