Online Master of Science Degree in Legal Studies

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Program at a Glance

Purdue Global is the largest provider of legal support services programs in the U.S.*
Curriculum focuses on the legal system, dispute resolution, legal research and writing, legal reasoning and analysis, ethical decision-making, jurisprudence, legal history, and substantive areas of law.
Select the curriculum track that best suits your needs and choose electives to enhance your area of expertise.

How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Course Effort

15 Hours per Week

Course Length

10-Week Terms

Average Completion

1 year

Of Full-Time Study

Credits Required

(37 Semester Credits)

Cost per Credit

$420

Master of Science in Legal Studies Overview

From business to government to health care, nearly every industry has a need for professionals with an advanced legal education. Our online master’s in legal studies program is designed for working adults seeking to expand their career opportunities by arming themselves with knowledge of the law, legal terminology, and procedures.

Purdue Global’s online master’s in legal studies program will challenge you to solve real-world issues by applying legal principles in a case study format. Learn from faculty who are industry professionals in law, social science, and teaching. Start building a strong foundation of legal knowledge by completing specialized online courses designed to teach you:

Legal principles: Apply legal principles and concepts to the analysis of complex social, political, and economic issues.
Ethics: Reflect on the ethical and moral implications of the law and legal processes.
Leadership: 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.
Reflective practice: Use the skills of a reflective practitioner to analyze and solve problems within a professional context.

Choose From Two Tracks of Study

Customize your master's in legal studies by choosing from the following tracks:

Applied research: Develop a better understanding of applied research methods and their application to legal studies.
Comprehensive exam: Complete a written examination covering the core curriculum courses.

See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Online discussion boards provide the opportunity to engage with students from around the country and learn from their experiences.

You can also take advantage of the Graduate Resource Center, a self-paced course that includes information on professional memberships and clubs, career services, social networking, and more.

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Ways to Save

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Save Time and Money on Your Degree
Financial Aid

Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.

Financial Aid FAQ
Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Employee Savings and Benefits
Military Tuition Reduction

55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers, 38% per credit for veterans for undergraduate programs.

Tuition Savings for Military
International Tuition Reduction

International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% tuition reduction.

International Tuition and Benefits

Calculate your estimated tuition and ways to save.

Select a discount option

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.

See All Legal Studies Courses

Sample Courses

Legal Methods and Process
Ethics and the Professional
Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing
Jurisprudence and Legal History
Applied Research in Legal Studies

Research Track

Core Credits
40
Elective Credits
15
Total Credits
55

Exam Track

Core Credits
35
Major Credits
20
Total Credits
55

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

Demand for legal services is growing and shifting. In addition, the need for legal professionals with regulatory and global compliance expertise is increasing.^†

The knowledge, skills, and experience you acquire in an online master’s in legal studies program can help you stand out to employers when competing for senior management and administration positions in settings such as corporations, membership groups, educational institutions, and government agencies.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Writing
Critical Thinking

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Graduates are not authorized to practice law and will not be eligible to sit for any state's bar examination. This program was not designed to meet any specific state's requirements for licensure or certification, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information.

98% Faculty members who have advanced degrees

48% Faculty members who hold a doctorate

264 Faculty publications in 2019–2020

More Than 45,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2019–2020

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2020. 2019–2020 academic year.

Earn a Law Degree 1 Year Sooner

Upon graduating, you can apply some of your courses toward an Executive Juris Doctor (EJD) degree at Concord Law School. Save up to $11,124 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.

Learn More

Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the Master of Science in Legal Studies and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

View Brochure

NOTES AND CONDITIONS

^*Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2018–2019 Total Degrees and Certificates Conferred, First Major, Legal Support Services, nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on total number of degrees and certificates granted by Purdue Global compared to other Title IV institutions.

^†Source: Deloitte, Future Trends for Legal Services: Global Research Study, June 2016.

^‡Purdue Global alumni are eligible for a 20% tuition reduction on Concord programs. Tuition savings calculated as 27 credit hours x reduced per credit tuition rate of $412 = $11,124. Savings will vary based on the courses completed in the student’s master’s degree program. Credits apply toward open elective and/or specialty electives in the EJD program.

Time savings based on a student who applies 27 credit hours toward the 3-year EJD program; remaining 45 credits can be completed in 2 years of study. MSLS can be completed in 1.5 years of study when adhering to the recommended course-load each term, taking courses in sequence, and without interruptions such as a leave of absence.