Navigating the landscape of legal education can be complex, especially for those outside the traditional law degree path. Our exploration considers the question: Is a Master of Legal Studies worth it? Uncover this degree’s distinctive advantages, from broadening legal knowledge to opening doors to diverse fields. Whether you’re eyeing a shift in your career or aiming for a promotion, this guide provides insights into the versatile benefits of pursuing an MSL. Join us on a journey where legal studies transcend the courtroom and become an asset for professionals across industries.
A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree provides professionals with an in-depth understanding of the law and legal issues without needing to attend law school. This advanced degree aims to equip students with legal knowledge that applies directly to their careers. But is a Master of Legal Studies really worth the time and investment required to earn it? In this article, we’ll explore the value of an MLS degree, its career impact and whether it’s ultimately worth pursuing.
An Overview of the Master of Legal Studies
A Master of Legal Studies is a postgraduate law degree for non-lawyers. This degree gives students a working knowledge of the law that lets them handle legal concerns and issues that may arise in their professions. The MLS provides an alternative legal education path for those who want legal knowledge but don’t intend to become licensed attorneys.
Some common characteristics of the MLS degree include
- 1 to 2 years to complete
- Available online or on-campus
- Core law courses plus electives or a specialization
- No LSAT exam required
- Designed for non-lawyers
This degree aims to build students’ understanding of the legal system, laws and regulations legal research and writing ethics, civil litigation, contracts, intellectual property and other legal topics. Coursework is practical and career-focused.
MLS programs attract students from diverse professional backgrounds including business, human resources, healthcare administration, education, government and more. It serves as a graduate-level legal education for those interacting with the law through their careers.
Evaluating the Return on Investment of the MLS
When considering any graduate degree, it’s essential to determine if it provides enough value and career impact to justify the required investment of time and money. Here are some factors to weigh when evaluating if an MLS degree is worth it.
Career Advancement Potential
One reason students pursue the MLS is the potential for new job opportunities and career advancement. Gaining legal knowledge can position graduates for management roles, compliance positions and other jobs requiring an understanding of legal issues.
While the MLS alone may not guarantee a pay increase or promotion, it can enhance your resume and equip you with relevant skills for advancement. Surveys show many MLS grads do progress professionally after earning their degree.
Relevant Skills Gained
The MLS curriculum focuses on building legal knowledge and abilities directly tied to the workplace. Coursework goes beyond theory to provide applicable legal skills.
Prospective students should review MLS program content to confirm it teaches information relevant to their career field and goals. The legal insight gained through an MLS can lead to new job duties and career options in many fields.
Increased Job Security
Possessing deeper legal knowledge also boosts graduates’ job security. As laws and regulations evolve, companies need employees equipped to handle legal concerns knowledgeably.
Earning an MLS shows you have legal acumen beyond on-the-job training. This advanced expertise can make you an invaluable asset to your employer.
Potential Earnings Boost
While income bumps are not guaranteed, completing an MLS can improve graduates’ earning potential. One survey showed 45% of MLS grads earned a pay increase after finishing their degree.
However, programs do require a significant investment. Carefully weigh program costs against potential salary benefits at your current and future employers.
Flexible Scheduling
Many MLS programs offer flexible part-time enrollment options. Evening, weekend and online courses allow busy professionals to fit school into their schedule. This helps minimize disruptions to your work and personal life while earning your degree.
Evaluate programs carefully to confirm they provide scheduling compatible with your responsibilities outside of school. Flexibility boosts the accessibility and value of an MLS.
By weighing these factors, you can determine if pursuing an MLS aligns with your career goals and provides strong enough ROI. Compare costs against the tangible and intangible benefits to decide if this degree is worth the investment for your situation.
Career Opportunities for MLS Graduates
Professionals from diverse occupations pursue the MLS, including:
- Human resources
- Healthcare administration
- Business and management
- Higher education
- Government
- Technology
This degree provides legal knowledge that transfers across fields. Here are a few booming careers where an MLS offers an advantage.
Human Resources Manager
As laws evolve, HR managers must stay current on legal issues like benefits, harassment policies, hiring regulations, employee rights and more. An MLS helps HR professionals handle legal concerns knowledgeably and minimize compliance risks.
The BLS projects 5% growth for HR manager jobs through 2030. The median pay exceeds $130,000 annually.
Compliance Officer
Compliance officers regularly interact with legal and regulatory requirements. An MLS provides the legal insight these professionals need as they develop corporate policies, perform audits and investigate violations.
This career offers a median salary over $71,000 annually. Compliance roles exist across industries from finance to healthcare.
Contract Administrator
From negotiating terms to resolving disputes, contract administrators need to act as the legal liaison between their company and other parties. An MLS provides expertise for examining and managing agreements.
These professionals earn a competitive median salary of $65,000. Contract admin roles are common in construction, IT and business services.
Policy Analyst
Policy analysts research and evaluate laws, regulations and government policies. They use their legal knowledge to shape new policies or modify existing ones. An MLS builds the legal foundation for this career.
The BLS projects robust 10% growth for these roles through 2030. Policy analysts earn over $59,000 median pay.
Is the Time and Cost of an MLS Worthwhile?
While the MLS offers multiple benefits, it still requires a serious time commitment and financial investment. Evaluate whether it aligns with your career goals and budget.
An MLS typically takes 1-2 years to complete as a part-time student. Programs with flexibility and online options can minimize disruptions to work and life. Expect tuition costs comparable to related master’s degrees.
Before enrolling, research potential salary boosts in your profession after earning an MLS. Project whether the long-term earnings gains justify the upfront investment. Also speak with your employer about tuition reimbursement or scholarship options.
Ultimately, the value of the MLS depends on your individual situation. For professionals needing legal knowledge to advance, this degree can provide great ROI and career impact. But carefully weigh the costs, time demands and career outcomes before pursuing an MLS.
Final Thoughts on the Value of the MLS Degree
The Master of Legal Studies offers legal education specifically tailored for non-lawyer professionals. This degree aims to build the legal knowledge needed in fields like business, HR, healthcare and more.
An MLS can lead to career advancement, increased job security and higher earning potential. Graduates gain practical legal skills directly applicable in diverse occupations.
While it requires serious time and financial commitments, the MLS provides legal insight difficult to gain on the job alone. For ambitious professionals dealing regularly with legal issues, the MLS can prove a strategic investment in their career development.
Career Advancement & Opportunities
Like other master’s degrees, an MSL is a revered and coveted designation that speaks volumes to employers. Not only does it show that you have the advanced skills and knowledge for upper-level positions, but it also shows your impressive motivation and commitment. Seeking out, qualifying for, and completing a master’s program is no easy feat, and recruiters will recognize the drive and work ethic that a degree like this requires.
At your current position, an MSL will help you show that you’re ready to take on greater responsibility and help you move up from a middle management position. It is also a great way to grow your authority at your organization, as you can now speak intelligently and accurately on matters outside of your direct field. Legal expertise is especially valuable in the C-suite, where your assessment of risk and exposure can influence major decisions and strategies.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an increase in your education level typically leads to higher earnings and a decrease in unemployment. Those who hold master’s degrees earn 16 percent more than those at a bachelor’s level.1
You have many options open to you as you look at MSL programs in order to position yourself for advancement. In addition to the specific focus of the program, you also get to choose whether you want to seek the degree online or on campus. Online programs have increased in popularity due to their flexibility and generally lower costs. Many classes are asynchronous, meaning you can complete the work on your schedule, which allows you to earn your degree while continuing to work and earn a paycheck. The Pitt Law Online MSL program offers all classes asynchronously, so you can continue to earn while you learn, and you don’t need to take precious time out of the workforce in order to boost your educational profile.
Not every Master of Studies in Law degree is the same, as some offer specializations to narrow your legal studies. At the University of Pittsburgh, we have four specialization options available: Corporate Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Human Resources Law, and International Business Law. By choosing a specialization, you can gain a deeper understanding of how the law impacts your professional life in your area of concentration.
Corporate compliance: Corporations implement compliance programs to identify misconduct and protect the interests of employees, shareholders, and businesses, and to guard against liability and reputational risk. Compliance officers are the individuals in corporations who are key to ensuring that the organization complies with its own policies and procedures, as well as applicable legal statutes, regulations, and judicial.
Health care compliance: Health care compliance is crucial to protecting practices against liabilities like fraud, abuse, and waste that violate federal and state laws governing the health care industry. Compliance programs require knowledgeable professionals to develop processes, policies, and procedures that will promote legal and ethical business practices in health services, as well as teaching and enforcing compliance policies in health care organizations.
HR law: Human resources (HR) is one of the fields where knowledge of the law is rapidly becoming essential to successfully navigate day-to-day tasks. This can range from hiring, administering benefits, and promoting employee engagement to engaging in collective bargaining, handling sensitive employee relations issues, creating and administering anti-discrimination policies, and implementing layoffs.
International business: If your employer does business outside of the U.S., a focus on international business prepares you for understanding and managing U.S. and international business transactions in which the legal systems might vary. It also equips you to manage cross-border disputes via skills gained in litigation, mediation and arbitration.
Is an MSL Degree Right for You?
If you are in a position where knowledge of the legal system will make you better at your job, or you want to move into a position where legal knowledge will be important, then this degree could be right for you. If you work in a field that is closely related to or overlaps with law (e.g., health care, consulting, HR, finance, research, nonprofit management, and government), the MSL is an excellent degree choice and proves useful in an array of fields.
The Master of Studies in Law will be a good fit if you:
- Work with lawyers
- Work with the law or regulations
- Want to reorient your career
- Want to learn more about the law, but are not looking to practice as an attorney
If you are on the fence about whether or not earning an MSL would be a worthwhile investment, take the time to reflect on your motivations for seeking additional education. Consider the following questions to better understand if this degree will be worth pursuing in order to meet your goals:
- Do you want a raise, or do you have a salary goal in mind?
- Are you looking for a promotion?
- Do you want to gain additional work responsibilities?
- Are you interested in the law and the legal system?
- Would you like more job security?
- Do you want to better understand legal issues that you encounter in your current role?
- Are you a career changer who wants to break into a new industry?
Understanding the potential outcomes of earning an MSL will help you ask better questions and have deeper conversations as you seek out your ideal master’s program.
6 Reasons You Should Earn a Master of Legal Studies
What is a Master of Legal Studies?
A Master of Legal Studies is a degree for professionals who don’t intend to become lawyers but who need a solid understanding of the law for their work. This degree can benefit professionals in many different industries. Before enrolling in a Master of Legal Studies program, you must meet a few basic requirements.
Is a Master’s of Legal Studies a good choice?
A master’s of legal studies provides graduate-level training in the law in less time than law school. It’s a good option if you work closely with legal professionals or your job requires an advanced understanding of legal writing, regulations, or legal research.
What can you do with a Master’s in legal studies?
With a master’s in legal studies, you can work as a compliance officer, human resources manager, contract negotiation manager, or health services manager. This versatile degree can give you an edge in many industries. Professional organizations help legal studies graduate students and professionals connect with colleagues and expand their skills.
Is an online Legal Studies degree a good choice?
If you want to work in areas like contract negotiations, compliance, mediation, or intellectual property, an online legal studies degree might be a good fit. You can prepare for diverse legal studies careers in as little as one year. Unlike law school, an online master’s degree in legal studies doesn’t train you to become a lawyer.
