Online Master of Science Degree in Legal Studies
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Master’s in Legal Studies (MLS) Overview
Come back stronger and take your career further. Meet the growing demand for legal professionals with an online MLS degree from Purdue Global, the largest university provider of legal support services programs in the U.S.
- Expand your career opportunities — from business to government to health care, nearly every industry needs professionals with advanced legal education.
- Gain practical expertise by solving real-world challenges and applying legal principles in a case study format.
- Learn from expert faculty who are experienced professionals in law, social science, and teaching.
- Study topics such as: the legal system, dispute resolution, legal research and writing, legal reasoning and analysis, ethical decision-making, jurisprudence, legal history, and substantive areas of law.
- Choose specialized electives to enhance and expand your area of expertise.
Program Outcomes
- Apply legal principles and concepts to the analysis of complex social, political, and economic issues.
- Reflect on the ethical and moral implications of the law and legal processes.
- Apply principles of leadership to shape change and improve the application and direction of the law and the legal system in relation to institutions and society.
- Use the skills of a reflective practitioner to analyze and solve problems within a professional context.
A Community of Support
Learn online, but not on your own. At Purdue Global, you’ll join an active and diverse network of students and alumni.
Join organizations such as the Purdue Global Law Society for further networking and leadership opportunities.
Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Calculate Your Time and Cost
Estimate how much your prior learning credits can reduce your tuition and time to graduation.
What Courses Will I Take?
Coursework provides a solid foundation in legal doctrine while allowing you to develop and refine your ability to identify and analyze legal issues. Choose electives that build focused expertise in your chosen career field.
All courses are reviewed and revised continually by legal experts to ensure they reflect the most recent developments and legislation.
Sample Courses
- Legal Methods and Process
- Ethics and the Professional
- Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing
- Family and the Legal System
- Applied Research in Legal Studies
Program Requirements
1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours
Admissions Requirements
A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in a graduate program. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.
Upcoming Start Dates
We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.
Ways to Save on Time and Tuition
Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.
Transfer Credits
Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.
Financial Aid
Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.
Grants and Loans
Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.
Corporate Partner Benefits
Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.
Military Tuition Reduction
Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.
Prior Military Experience
Earn credit for your military training. We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.
View the total cost of attendance for your program.
Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study
- Can you describe a time when a colleague or team member was not meeting their responsibilities on a shared project? How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities in a demanding role? Can you give an example of how you stayed organized and met a critical deadline?
- Describe a time when you had to draft a legal document (e.g., a brief, memorandum, or contract clause). How did you make sure your writing was clear, concise, and legally sound?
- Can you share a time when you had to explain a legal concept or process to someone without a legal background? How did you ensure they understood, and how did they respond?
- Give an example of a situation where you had access to sensitive or confidential information. How did you handle it, and what steps did you take to uphold ethical and legal standards?
Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field
- Digital Literacy
- Critical Thinking
- Ethical Standards and Conduct
- Research
- Legal Research
- Communication
- Management
- Leadership
- Operations
- Advocacy
- Writing
- Presentation
- Microsoft Office
- Legislative Procedures
Earn a Law Degree 1 Year Sooner
Upon graduating, you can apply some of your courses toward an Executive Juris Doctor (EJD) degree at Purdue Global Law School. Save up to $11,772 in tuition and graduate a year sooner. You could earn both a master’s and EJD degree in as few as 4 years. See which courses transfer.
Unlike the JD, which prepares you to sit for the bar exam and practice law, the online EJD is designed to help you build legal expertise to use in your career.
Download the Program Brochure
Download our brochure to learn more about the Online Master of Science in Legal Studies and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global. Prepare yourself for success with a master's degree in legal studies.
See Notes and Conditions below for important information.
Get to Know Our Faculty
Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.
Faculty members who have advanced degrees
Faculty members who have terminal degrees
Faculty publications in 2024–2025
Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025
Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.