Legal Studies: Online
Master's
Why study Legal Studies?
Our online Master of Legal Studies program is 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. This degree provides new skills and knowledge to enhance your existing skills rather than prepare you for a new career. The MLS program may provide alternatives for individuals who do not want to attend law school but do want to increase their legal knowledge. Master of Legal Studies degree students may enter the program for a variety of reasons; such as working with legal professionals regularly, working in highly regulated industries, or are business owners that want to be able to handle more legal aspects of their business.
This fully online, asynchronous legal studies program is designed for working professionals who would benefit from a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. legal system but do not intend to practice law. It helps professionals understand laws and regulations so they can perform better in their current and future roles.
Admission Requirements
Admission into the University of Cincinnati’s Master of Legal Studies online program is selective and based on meeting the requirements outlined below. Applications will be reviewed by taking work experience and other factors indicating the likelihood of success in the Masters of Legal Studies program, into consideration.
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s Degree (in any field of study) from an institutionally accredited university.
- Statement of Interest and one professional or academic letter of recommendation from an individual you have known for a minimum of one year.
- Minimum of two years of professional work experience.
- An overall 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from all previous undergraduate coursework.
*While we do not require an admissions test, prospective students may submit a GRE, LSAT, GMAT or other standardized test score to highlight applicant’s academic success.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree (in any field of study) from an institutionally accredited university.
Statement of Interest
Applicants must submit a Statement of Interest expressing their experience as a working professional and identify the key factors of why/how the Master of Legal Studies degree will help them advance professionally.
Letter of Recommendation
In addition to the Statement of Interest, please include one professional or academic letter of recommendation from individuals you have known for a minimum of one year, presented on corresponding professional letterhead.
Resume
A resume demonstrating two years of professional experience. *
*Our program is designed to build on an existing career and relies on practical experience in the workplace.
Minimum GPA
An overall 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from all previous undergraduate coursework.
Transcripts
Official transcripts showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of degrees. Applicants whose previous degrees were earned at the University of Cincinnati may substitute “on-campus” transcripts.
Student will upload unofficial transcripts (from all college or universities attended) during the application process.
Official transcripts are not required until student has accepted an offer of admission from the university.
Learn more about the transcript submission policy.
Minimum TOEFL Score
International applicants must have a minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores below to be considered for acceptance. International students are not eligible for student visas for online programs.
- Score of 550 (paper version)
- or 190 (electronic version)
- 80 internet based test (iBT)
- 6.5 score on the IELTS is also acceptable
Transfer Credits
Have you already completed some graduate coursework? Graduate transfer credits, from an institutionally accredited college or university, will be reviewed upon application. These credits must have been earned within the last five years prior to entrance into the program and can be used only for general electives. Talk to your enrollment advisor to discuss the petition process.
In many fields, the need for legal skills in non-lawyer jobs is growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the demand for professionals with MLS and similar degrees in law for non-lawyers is growing 15% through 2026. As law firms seek to increase efficiency, they are hiring more non-lawyer roles. Large companies are also expanding their in-house legal teams with non-lawyers rather than hiring additional attorneys. In these cases, the advanced knowledge and skill from a non-JD graduate degree (such as an MLS) benefit both the career professional and the company.
Through our Masters of Legal Studies curriculum, you will be better equipped to:
- Review and interpret agreements such as contracts
- Understand the regulatory requirements for specific industries
- Work with attorneys and compliance officers
Masters of Legal Studies Career Opportunities
Due to how the law intersects with every industry in one way or another, it is very likely there is some aspect of your current role that could be enhanced with an MLS degree. Here are some common titles for in-demand jobs:
- Compliance officer
- IT technician
- Human resources manager
- Business Officer
- Contracts and grants officer
- Management consultant
- Insurance representative
- Accountant
- Government official
- Tax/payroll manager
- Courtroom clerk
- Law enforcement officer
- Media executive
- Healthcare practitioner
- Legal assistant
- Senior business analyst
- Associate operations director
- And many more
Average Salary for MLS Graduates
Students pursue an MLS degree to build the skills and expertise needed to advance their careers. As a result, they frequently see higher salaries post-graduation. In general, regardless of industry or profession, an individual who holds a master’s degree will earn an average salary of $68,000, as compared to $50,000 for those with a bachelor’s degree.
For those specifically with an MLS degree, data from PayScale shows that graduates earn an average of $72,000 per year; however, certain job titles see higher levels of compensation.
The information provided is sourced from a third party, Lightcast. Their product, called Career Coach, combines extensive labor market data from Lightcast and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides insights on industry, occupation, compensation, and projected growth for each profession. Economic and workforce information is available for various geographic regions. Some careers may require additional training or education.Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in College of Law
Contact Information
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Program Code: 24MAS-LEGS-MSL-.LEGS-DL