What Can You Do With a Master’s in Legal Studies?

Careers in the legal field are more varied than you may think. Several career paths require a deep understanding of legal knowledge but do not involve actually practicing law.

For example, in law firms, attorneys rely on legal assistants to help them prepare for cases. Corporations and government agencies have professionals who help the organization adhere to regulatory compliance.

With a master’s degree in legal studies, you can expand your knowledge of the law and prepare for several non-lawyer legal careers. Read on to see if a legal studies degree makes sense for your interests and career goals.

What Is a Master's Degree in Legal Studies?

A master's degree in legal studies (MLS) is designed for individuals interested in the legal field but who are not looking to practice law. This type of program covers a wide range of subjects, including legal writing, legal research, and regulations.

While this degree is intended for students who want to work in a legal support role, it’s not designed as a stepping stone to a JD program.

What Do You Learn in a Master’s in Legal Studies Program?

An MLS program provides students with an overview of legal principles and terminology. Compared to a Juris Doctor (JD), the information is more high-level, but it can prepare you for a wider range of careers.

MLS students can expect their curriculum to include:

• Legal ethics: MLS programs strongly emphasize the ethics of working in the legal profession. As an MLS student, you will learn about the responsibilities attorneys have toward their clients and the rules of being a legal professional.
• Legal research: Legal research is vital to legal support roles in law offices and other organizations, such as insurance companies. Graduates of the program should be proficient with Westlaw, a legal research service that many attorneys and law firms use.
• Legal writing: Individuals working in the legal field may be responsible for preparing a variety of legal documents. As an MLS student, you can expect to learn how legal writing differs from other forms of academic or professional writing. Students will also learn about the proper role of using artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal field for legal research, legal writing, and providing legal support.
• Legal regulations: One of the main focus areas for non-lawyer legal professionals is regulatory compliance. Compliance involves regulatory responsibilities, which play a role in nearly every industry. Learning how to navigate various regulations is essential.

Possible Career Paths for Legal Studies Students

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment in legal occupations is projected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations between 2023 and 2033. That’s about 85,600 job openings each year on average.

Graduates with a master’s degree in legal studies may go on to work in private practice law firms, government offices, or large corporations. Below are a few common career paths for legal studies students.

Compliance Officers

Compliance officers help companies or government agencies follow laws and regulations. According to the BLS, some common employers of compliance officers include:

• Federal, state, and local government agencies
• Insurance companies
• Pharmaceutical and medical companies
• Companies that manage nonfinancial assets, such as patents or trademarks
• Natural gas distribution companies

Compliance roles are available in many different settings. Medicine and government contracts are two areas where various regulatory requirements exist. Compliance officers can help an organization navigate these requirements.

Regulatory Affairs Specialists

According to O*NET, regulatory affairs specialists “coordinate and document internal regulatory processes, such as internal audits, inspections, license renewals, or registrations.” They may also prepare submissions to regulatory agencies.

Similar to a compliance officer, this position involves helping organizations navigate legal issues and requirements. Regulatory affairs specialists commonly apply their legal knowledge to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, and standards.

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

According to the BLS, arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators negotiate to resolve conflicts outside the court system. Most working professionals in this role are in the legal services industry, but some work for state or local governments.

Typically, arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators:

• Facilitate communication between parties involved in the dispute
• Clarify issues, concerns, needs, and interests
• Conduct initial meetings to outline the arbitration process
• Interview claimants, agents, or witnesses to obtain information about the case

Rather than settling legal issues in court, these professionals help opposing parties do so in private meetings. Although the BLS groups them into one occupation, there are slight differences between the three roles:

• Arbitrators are usually lawyers or experts in a particular field.
• Mediators are neutral third parties who help resolve disputes but don’t render binding legal decisions. Unlike an arbitrator, their goal is to guide parties to a mutually acceptable agreement.
• Conciliators are similar to mediators, except they work with each party separately. Disputants agree beforehand whether the conciliator’s recommendations are legally binding.

The BLS projects this career path to grow 6% between 2023 and 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

Master’s in Legal Studies vs. Juris Doctor

A master’s in legal studies and a Juris Doctor are both advanced degrees exploring legal issues, but the programs have significant differences.

Degree Outcomes

Both help people become working professionals in the legal field — but to a different extent.

MLS programs help you build a strong foundation of legal knowledge that can be applied to careers that frequently interact with the law, such as a legal assistant or compliance officer. However, they do not prepare you for actually practicing law.

In contrast, a Juris Doctor is a terminal law degree that prepares you for becoming a lawyer.

Program Length

An MLS degree program generally takes one or two years to complete, depending on whether you study full time or part time. A JD program generally requires almost three years of full-time or four years of part-time study.

Although some JD programs offer online, part-time formats — such as Purdue Global Law School’s JD program — many students choose to focus on their law school studies full time.

If you’re unsure how long it might take to earn your MLS degree, try our time and tuition calculator. Use this tool to estimate your graduation date based on transfer credits or work and life experience.

Admission Requirements

Prospective MLS students must have a bachelor’s degree to qualify for enrollment in a graduate program. In Purdue Global’s Master of Science in Legal Studies program, applicants can provide proof of their degree by providing a transcript showing completion of their undergraduate studies from an accredited institution.

JD programs have stricter, more definitive requirements. At Purdue Global Law School, the application process involves taking a free, mandatory admissions exam. You must also submit university transcripts; however, LSAT scores are generally not required.

Enrollment in Purdue Global Law School's Juris Doctor program is open to individuals who live in, plan to live in, or work for — or plan to work for — an employer based in California, Connecticut, Indiana, North Carolina, or Wisconsin.

Ability to Work While in School

Many of Purdue Global’s MLS students pursue the degree while working, but this is not always possible for students enrolled in JD programs.

Law school is often considered a full-time job commitment. It can be challenging to attend law school and work at the same time; that’s why many law schools prohibit or discourage students from working during their first year.

Who Is a Good Fit for a Legal Studies Degree?

Whether an MLS degree is worth it depends on your interests and career goals. You may be a good fit for a legal studies degree if:

• You’re interested in a legal career path but do not want to become a lawyer.
• You work in a management or administrative role that involves navigating legal issues, and learning more about the law could help you advance within your career.
• You want to learn about a variety of legal topics and how they affect different aspects of our lives.
• You want to refine your legal writing and professional communication skills.

Students interested in a legal career should evaluate whether an MLS or JD better aligns with their career goals. If you know you want to become a lawyer, you can bypass earning a traditional master’s degree and go straight to law school.

If you have an interest in law but prefer not to commit 3 years to attending law school, an MLS degree presents an alternative option to work in a legal environment, without actually serving as a lawyer.

>> Read: 3 Trends Shaping the Future of the Legal Services Industry

Learn More about Purdue Global’s Master's in Legal Studies Degree

Ready to begin your legal studies education? Purdue Global’s online master's degree in legal studies can be completed on a flexible schedule, making it easy for you to balance work and school. The online format also allows you to interact with students from across the country and learn how legal principles vary from state to state.

Reach out today for more information on the Master of Science in Legal Studies program or any of our other legal studies degrees and certificates.

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