Ever wondered what is like to do law abroad and come from an accredited school? Are you engrossed in seeking what can you do with a masters in legal studies? Are you a student trying asking questions relating to what one can do with a masters in law? Are you eager to know what masters can you do with a law degree? Are you interested in finding out more about what can you do with a master of legal studies? Worry not, the site will lay out answers for you within a nick of time.

What Is a Master of Legal Studies (MLS)?

Before diving into the specifics of what you can do with a Master of Legal Studies degree, it’s important to understand what, exactly, it is and how the program differs from other law-related degrees.

“The Master of Legal Studies is a relatively new type of degree that was created for individuals who need working knowledge of the law, but don’t intend on becoming practicing lawyers,” says Dan Urman, director of Northeastern School of Law’s online and hybrid programs.

As a newer degree, it goes by a number of different names depending on the university offering it, including:

• Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
• Master of Science of Law (MSL)
• Juris Master (JM)
• Master of Jurisprudence (MJ)

Though the names differ, these programs are all built around the same basic curriculum, which is designed to impart working knowledge of the law without going into the level of technicality typically required to become an attorney.

Master of Legal Studies (MLS) vs. Juris Doctor (JD)

If an individual is considering going to “law school,” the degree they’re typically referring to is the Juris Doctor, or JD. Though a JD shares some similarities with an MLS, they are unique degrees—each of which sets graduates up for very different career paths.

“The main difference between a JD and MLS boils down to the student’s motivation in earning the degree,” Urman says. “Master of Legal Studies programs are designed to grant students a working knowledge of the law that they can put to use in an industry or career that interacts with the law, but without going into the training required to become a practicing attorney.”

There are several factors to take into consideration when deciding between an MLS and a JD, as each degree tends to serve a different purpose.

Individuals who regularly need to communicate with lawyers or navigate through the complicated world of legal regulations, but are not concerned with representing a client, are ideal MLS candidates.

Individuals working in healthcare, startups, universities, nonprofits, financial services companies, like banks and lenders, the media, and large corporations are some of those most likely to benefit from an MLS, as are those in other heavily regulated industries.

Master of Legal Studies programs are most often pursued by individuals who are currently in the workforce. As such, many MLS programs are designed to be earned part-time. Despite this fact, the degree can often be earned in one to two years, offering a relatively quick return on investment and pathway for career development.

The JD, on the other hand, is designed to train an individual to become a practicing attorney who will represent clients, whether those clients are individuals, businesses, or institutions. Often, those who pursue a JD will do so directly after earning an undergraduate degree in a related field. Typically, these degrees will be earned in three years of full-time study.  

• Compliance Director
• Legal Consultant
• Federal Regulatory Agent
• Private Investigator
• Court Administrator

A master’s in legal studies degree equips students with the skills needed to carry out intensive analyses and accurate interpretations of the legal system. Candidates learn different topics, such as legal research, terminologies and procedures. This degree is often pursued by those who wish to expand their knowledge of the law and open more doors for career growth. Here are the top five most popular careers you can do with a master’s in legal studies.

Compliance Director

Compliance directors work with private and public institutions to ensure they accomplish their compliance objectives. They do this by producing value-added employee results, offering legal advice and opinion and directing the staff. They also determine accountability, enforce government regulations and establish compliance operational strategies. Compliance directors usually operate as independent contractors. Others work in large corporations to help them comply with the existing government regulations. They earn an average salary of $99,734 per year. The salary ranges from $57,722 to $159,122.

Legal Consultant

Legal consultants provide assistance to both public and private companies on legal matters. Their duty mainly involves providing assistance and advice on legal documentation, contracts and negotiations. They ensure that the rights and the legitimate interests of their clients are protected within a specific legal framework. They are also responsible for maintaining their clients’ public image and conducting new legal research. A majority of legal consultants work as self-employed professionals. Others are employed by large corporations and government institutions. They earn a median salary of $115,820 per year.

Federal Regulatory Agent

Federal regulatory agents monitor areas such as finance, environment and media and make laws to govern the activities in these areas. They work to ensure organizations and citizens follow the laws and regulations put in place by the relevant authorities. They also ensure that the citizens are safe from substandard products, criminals and terrorists. Federal regulatory agents can work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), US Border Patrol, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and many other commissions within the US government. They earn an average salary of $116,997 per year, which is quite impressive. Most agents benefit from several allowances provided due to the nature of the work they do.

Private Investigator

Private investigators help law enforcement units and companies perform legal research, investigate crimes and find missing persons. They conduct research by analyzing the legal records, carrying out computer investigations and doing background checks on individuals who apply for jobs. They also interview people to gather facts and carry out surveillance to find out the activities of a person or company. They work with private citizens, lawyers, businesses or law enforcement units. Most of them open their own agencies and operate as independent contractors. Private investigators who have master’s degrees in legal studies earn as high as $120,374 per year.

Court Administrator

Court administrators control the daily operations of the federal, state and local courts. Their duties involve planning and overseeing the administrative functions, formulating budgets, developing schedules and managing court procedures. They also act as liaisons between the court and the public, private organizations and the government. Some court administrators manage certain divisions of the court while others control the entire court. The salary of court administrators varies with the size and number of courts they manage. Those who are in charge of state and federal courts earn more than those who manage local courts. Administrators with MLS degrees earn as high as $90,000. A majority of them work in federal courts.

Majoring in an MLS degree in a recognized institution gives you an opportunity to benefit from a wide range of career opportunities. The list discussed above will give you some helpful insights on the best jobs to do with a master’s in legal studies.