If you’re looking to advance your professional path with legal expertise, a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree could open new doors through flexible concentrations. So, what can you do with a master’s in legal studies? And is a master of legal studies degree worth it? In this article, we’ll answer these questions and explore what this path entails. 

What Is a Master of Legal Studies and Who Is It Designed For?

A Master of Legal Studies is a graduate degree that provides foundational knowledge of legal concepts, systems and processes for professionals who want to develop legal skills without pursuing a law license.

How the MLS Differs From a JD, LLM and MBA

Unlike a Juris Doctor (JD), which prepares students to become attorneys, an MLS focuses on understanding and applying legal principles. A Master of Laws (LLM) is typically designed for lawyers seeking specialization, while an MBA emphasizes business management and strategy. 

Why the MLS Was Created for Non-Lawyers and Emerging Legal Professionals

The MLS was developed to help professionals navigate increasingly regulated industries and collaborate effectively with legal teams. It supports individuals who need legal knowledge to enhance their current roles or transition into law-related careers. 

The Three Types of Students Who Benefit Most From an MLS

An MLS can especially benefit the following:

• Early-career legal professionals seeking advancement
• Career switchers exploring legal education for new roles
• Undergraduate students pursuing specialized graduate education

An MLS helps these groups gain practical legal skills that complement their existing interests and professional goals.

Signs the MLS Might Be the Right Degree for You

An MLS can be a valuable choice for professionals seeking legal competencies, career growth or specialized expertise without pursuing a traditional law degree. 

You Work in or Around Legal and Regulatory Environments Without Formal Legal Training

If your role involves compliance, contracts, policy, health care, business or government regulations, an MLS could help you understand legal frameworks and make more informed professional decisions.

You Want Advanced Career Opportunities Without the Time or Cost of Law School

An MLS offers a faster, more focused path to legal knowledge than a JD. As a result, professionals can strengthen their qualifications and pursue new opportunities without becoming licensed attorneys. 

You’re Ready to Specialize Your Professional Knowledge

An MLS with a concentration allows professionals to build targeted legal expertise in areas such as:

• Criminal law
• Cybersecurity and information privacy
• Entrepreneurship
• Financial regulatory compliance
• Health care compliance
• Pharmaceutical and medical device regulatory compliance
• Higher education compliance
• Human resources compliance
• NCAA compliance and sports law

Is the MLS Right for Early-Career Legal Professionals?

For emerging legal professionals, an MLS provides structured knowledge, practical skills and a foundation for long-term career advancement. 

How Entry-Level Paralegals, Legal Assistants and Compliance Associates Can Accelerate Their Trajectory

With an MLS, early-career professionals can strengthen their understanding of legal concepts. In turn, this knowledge can help them improve workplace contributions and develop specialized skills that support advancement in legal operations, compliance and related fields. 

The Difference Between Learning on the Job and Building a Formal Legal Framework

While hands-on experience offers valuable insight, an MLS provides an understanding of legal systems, terminology and processes. This comprehensive approach helps professionals connect daily responsibilities with broader legal principles and strategies. 

How the MLS Positions You for Leadership Roles Beyond the Entry Level

A legal studies master’s degree combines a professional’s practical experience with advanced legal education to help professionals prepare for roles involving:

• Decision-making
• Risk management
• Compliance oversight
• Collaboration with attorneys, executives and organizational leaders

Is the MLS Right for Career and Degree Switchers?

Is a Master of Legal Studies useful for professionals outside the legal industry? The answer is yes. For professionals exploring a new direction, an MLS can connect existing expertise with legal skills to create opportunities across regulated industries. 

Why Professionals From Business, Health Care, Finance and Tech Are Turning to Legal Education

Professionals in business, health care, finance, technology and other fields increasingly pursue legal education to better understand regulations, manage risk and support decisions that require knowledge of legal frameworks and industry-specific requirements. 

How the MLS Lets You Bring Your Industry Experience Into a New Legal Context

An MLS builds on an existing real-world background to help professionals apply industry knowledge through a legal lens. This combination works to strengthen a professional’s ability to interpret regulations, address challenges and contribute strategically. 

What to Expect When Transitioning Into a Compliance or Regulatory Affairs Role

Moving into compliance or regulatory roles often requires familiarity with laws, policies and organizational risk. An MLS provides the legal foundation needed to navigate these responsibilities and collaborate effectively with legal teams.

Is the MLS Right for Undergraduate Students?

For recent graduates, an MLS can offer a focused way to gain legal expertise, explore career options and bolster a resume for professional fields. 

How the MLS Compares to Law School as a Post-Undergraduate Path

Unlike law school, an MLS does not prepare students to become practicing attorneys. Instead, it provides legal expertise for careers (especially in roles or regulated fields) where understanding laws, regulations and compliance is valuable.

Which Undergraduate Majors Align Well With MLS Concentrations?

While anyone interested in developing legal expertise can benefit from an MLS, the degree tends to align especially well with undergraduate majors such as: 

• Business
• Health care
• Political science
• Technology
• Criminal justice
• Communication

These fields frequently intersect with legal and regulatory issues, making them a natural fit for MLS coursework and concentrations.

How an MLS Can Give You a Career Advantage Before Age 25

An MLS can help early-career professionals develop legal skills sooner. This makes them stronger candidates for any roles where legal knowledge can be directly applied, whether that involves compliance and contracts or policy and risk management. 

Choosing the Right MLS Concentration for Your Goals

Selecting an MLS concentration can help you align your education with professional interests, industry needs and long-term objectives. The right focus allows you to develop legal skills that complement your career path and chosen field.

Matching Your Industry Background or Target Career to the Right Specialization

Your professional experience and career goals should guide your concentration choice. Concentrations allow students to build legal skills relevant to specific industries, such as:

• Cybersecurity
• Health care
• Human resources
• Financial regulation
• Entrepreneurship
• Higher education

The Flexible MLS Track: When a Broad Legal Foundation Makes More Sense

A more general MLS degree path may be ideal for professionals who want a comprehensive understanding of legal principles without specializing in one area. The flexible MLS track option builds adaptable skills for roles requiring broad legal awareness across multiple environments. 

How Concentration Choice Shapes Your Job Market Positioning After Graduation

An MLS concentration can help distinguish your background by demonstrating expertise in a specific legal area. Specialized knowledge could strengthen your qualifications for roles involving compliance, regulatory affairs, risk management and industry-specific legal challenges. 

Practical Factors to Consider Before Enrolling

Before pursuing an MLS, consider how the program fits your schedule, goals and expectations. Evaluating format, requirements and potential outcomes can help you select a program that supports your professional aspirations.

Time Commitment, Format and Balancing the MLS With Work or Undergraduate Life

MLS programs are designed for a variety of learners, including working professionals and recent graduates. To determine how the degree fits your schedule and accommodates your responsibilities, consider factors such as:

• Learning format (online or in-person)
• Course schedules
• Workload expectations

What Admissions Requirements Typically Look Like for MLS Programs

Admissions requirements vary by institution but often include:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Academic transcripts
• Personal statement
• Professional or educational background information

Some programs may also consider work experience or career goals during the application process.

How to Evaluate Program Quality, Rankings and Return on Investment

When comparing MLS programs, students often consider rankings. However, they should also examine the following:

• Curriculum
• Faculty expertise
• Concentration options
• Career support
• Overall value

Ideally, a strong program should align with your objectives and provide skills that support your desired professional trajectory. 

Why Drexel Kline’s MLS Program Is Worth Considering at Any Stage

The MLS program offered by Drexel Kline’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law is designed to support professionals with different backgrounds, career goals and schedules through accessible learning options, specialized coursework and opportunities to develop practical legal knowledge. 

Flexible Online Format That Works for Students, Switchers and Working Professionals

Our online MLS format offers flexibility for students who are balancing their educational pursuits with professional or personal commitments. Its structure supports recent graduates, career changers and working professionals who want to expand their legal expertise without stepping away from their current path.

Eight Concentrations Plus a Flexible Track

Students can customize their MLS experience through eight concentrations and a flexible track. This allows them to focus on areas connected to their interests and career goals. Options help learners develop legal expertise relevant to fields such as compliance, technology, health care, business, sports and other regulatory environments. 

Nationally Ranked Program With a Community Built for Real-World Legal Careers

Our MLS program combines academic instruction with practical perspectives from legal professionals to help students apply concepts to workplace challenges. The program’s reputation, faculty experience and supportive community build a foundation for advancing careers that intersect with law. 

Ready to Find Out If the MLS Is Your Next Step?

A Master of Legal Studies can help professionals and students develop valuable legal knowledge that can support career advancement across industries. 

If you are ready to explore how an MLS could support your goals, we invite you to learn more about the program at the Kline School of Law, available concentrations, coursework and admissions requirements. Discover your next step by applying today.

Sources:

• MLS Concentrations
• MLS Admissions Criteria