What can you do with an online master's in legal studies?

An online master's in legal studies can further your law career and prepare you for roles such as a compliance officer or a conciliator. Consider the benefits of this degree if you want to dive deeper into law but not become a lawyer.

Find the right master's in legal studies degree for you

Types of jobs in legal studies

Online master of legal studies (MLS) programs explore the legal landscape from the viewpoint of a non-lawyer. This is in contrast to a juris doctor degree, which prepares students to become lawyers, or a master of laws degree, which helps practicing lawyers specialize in an area of law.

Earning an online MLS degree can lead to legal roles, such as conciliators and private investigators. MLS programs can also prepare you to pursue careers in other fields that frequently work with laws and regulations, such as human resources managers and compliance officers.

While many of these careers require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree, applicants with a master's degree in legal studies may have a competitive advantage and an opportunity to unlock higher pay.

What can you do with a master's in legal studies?

Is a master's degree in legal studies worth it?

The value of earning a master's in legal studies varies from person to person.

While many of the above roles typically require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree, some employers at prestigious organizations or law offices may prefer candidates with additional education.

When considering the right degree for your goals, consider whether the cost commitment of a master's degree is worth the payoff. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of graduate tuition and fees across all fields and institution types was $20,513 for the 2021–2022 school year.

Depending on the career path you want to pursue, earning a master's in legal studies may not give you as much of a return on investment as you hope for.