The Best Online Master’s Programs in Legal Studies

The 30-credit, online master of legal studies (MLS) degree from West Virginia University examines law, legal procedures, and legal terminology. Students learn to think critically and apply complex legal reasoning to a variety of situations and problems. Neither a paralegal program nor a law degree, the program suits professionals working in areas like criminal justice, social work, human relations, and national security.

Experienced faculty from the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences develop and teach the MLS curriculum. Core courses include researching the law, the legislative process, dispute resolution, and law and the legal system.

The program offers three areas of emphasis: justice systems, healthcare, and homeland security. Criminal justice professionals typically choose the justice systems emphasis. The healthcare emphasis explores topics like healthcare law, elder law, long-term care regulations, and state and federal regulatory requirements. Students working in immigration, transportation security, and military justice often pursue the homeland security emphasis.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Applicants must submit transcripts, two reference letters, a personal statement, a resume, and standardized test scores.

Accredited by the American Bar Association, the Caruso School of Law at Pepperdine University offers an online master of legal studies (MLS) program that helps non-lawyers develop legal expertise. Full-time students can graduate in 16 months.

The 30-credit degree includes core classes in legal writing, civil procedure and litigation, criminal law, and constitutional law. Students can explore specialized areas of the law through electives in areas like business law, intellectual property, and education law. The program also offers concentrations in human resources and dispute resolution. Students can take an additional 18-22 credits to earn a master of dispute resolution in addition to the MLS degree.

Students must complete two in-person weekend residencies on the Pepperdine campus. These experiences allow students to network with faculty members and classmates while completing a one-credit class that includes mock trials and legal case studies. Unlike traditional law school, the program does not require applicants to take the GRE or LSAT.

Regent University offers an online master's in law studies program designed for individuals with a J.D.-equivalent law degree from outside the United States. Graduates with the master of laws (LL.M.) in American legal studies can sit for the Bar exam in some jurisdictions.

The 30-credit program helps students improve their English language proficiency while earning the degree. Students receive mentorship from experienced law professors from top schools like Yale, Duke, and Harvard. The curriculum includes 15-week courses like foundations of legal thought, the American legal system and writing, and foundations of law. Full-time students can graduate in one year.

Application requirements include unofficial undergraduate transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a current resume, and a copy of a government-issued ID. The program offers two start dates per year.

The fully online master's in law studies degree from California University of Pennsylvania develops advanced critical thinking, legal research, and writing skills. Students learn to interpret legal materials, evaluate legal arguments, and explain how public policy impacts legislative policy and judicial rulings. Legal scholars and other experts with practical experience teach the program and provide students with networking and research opportunities.

Appropriate for anyone with a serious interest in public policy and law, Cal U's legal studies master's degree offers concentrations in law and public policy, criminal justice, and homeland security. All students take classes in law and police process, domestic extremism in the United States, law and administrative agencies, and law and civil litigation. Graduates can pursue careers in paralegalism, criminal justice, government, and law enforcement.

Full-time students can graduate in one year. Cal U also offers an accelerated BA-to-MS option for current undergraduates that lets them earn up to 12 graduate credits while pursuing the bachelor's degree. Requirements for unconditional admission include a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution.

Webster University's online master's in legal studies program develops advanced skills and knowledge in legal practice. The program also provides a foundational understanding of the legal environment in which organizations and individuals make decisions. Students gain critical-thinking, communication, decision-making, and legal reasoning skills.

The program is best suited to legal assistants, government employees, managers, and teachers. The program does not qualify students to sit for the Bar exam or to practice law. The 39-credit, fully online degree includes courses like ethics for the legal professional, methods of legal research and writing, American constitutional law, and Anglo-American legal history.

Webster accepts applications on a rolling basis. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA. International students may need to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting official test scores. Admitted students advance to candidacy status after completing 12 credits with a grade of 'B-' or better.

The oldest Catholic postsecondary institution in Florida, Saint Leo University welcomes students of all faiths. The school offers 38 online master's programs, including an online criminal justice master's degree with a legal studies concentration.

Designed for practicing and aspiring criminal justice professionals, the program includes field experiences and interactive learning opportunities. The 36-credit curriculum includes five core criminal justice classes, three electives, and three legal studies courses. Students explore topics like forensic science, criminal advocacy, policymaking, and computerized databases.

Core courses include insights into criminal behaviors, ethical issues in criminal justice administration, and leadership applications in criminal justice. The legal studies specialization focuses on the judicial system and legal procedures. Distance learners receive access to career services, student advising, and student life activities.

Admission requirements for the master's in legal studies program include a bachelor's degree, a professional goal statement, and a qualifying GPA. Graduates can work in roles like loss prevention investigator, federal law enforcement, and criminal justice practitioner.

The University of Illinois Springfield offers a master's in legal studies program designed for working professionals. The interdisciplinary liberal arts program combines synchronous and asynchronous courses and provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal system. The fully online program offers small class sizes and clinical education opportunities. Distance learners gain critical thinking, writing, and research skills.

Learners examine the role of law in American society while developing professional legal skills. The program suits students in professions that require knowledge of the legal system, including individuals who participate in judicial processes, enforce laws, and work with legal forms. The curriculum includes classes in comparative justice, LGBTQ law and politics, philosophy of law, and legal research and citation.

Admission requirements include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, a personal statement, and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing.