Best Online Master’s in Legal Studies Degrees

Overview

Boston is home to Northeastern University, a private research institution with around 25,500 students in total. Northeastern is widely respected for its academic reputation. However, its shining achievement is its cooperative education program. It also ranks #14 for Best Health Care Law Programs in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Program Features

In total, your Master of Legal Studies degree at Northeastern University will cover 30 credit hours. You’ll take two foundational courses in legal studies, five core courses in related areas, and then three electives. All coursework is conducted online, but still holds elements of Northeastern’s specialty in experiential learning. Some highlight classes are:

• Law and Strategy
• Negotiation and Advocacy
• Intellectual Property Survey
• Anti-Discrimination Law

Notables

Most people work through this program on a part-time basis. If that’s your plan, then you can expect to finish your degree in around a year and a half. You’ll fit your classes into the 10-term length of the program. This is a great way to maintain job experience while you’re in school.

Overview

Drexel University is a strong private research university based in Philadelphia, PA. In addition to its vibrant on-campus academic life, Drexel University has maintained its online education platform since 1996. Law students enjoy the extensive cooperative education program at Drexel. The co-op system cycles through every six months.

Program Features

Delivered through the Thomas R. Kline School of Law, this online Master of Legal Studies gives you the chance to apply law to your field of expertise. With over eight concentrations, this curriculum covers all the bases. You’ll take 30 credits in total, with over half of them devoted to your concentration. Here are some highlights:

• Compliance Skills: Auditing, Investigation, & Reporting
• Legal Research and Analysis
• European Union Data Privacy and Protection
• Legal Issues in Employee Hiring and Termination

Notables

Wondering what concentration tracks you can follow? You’ll have the choice of: Criminal Law, Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Compliance, Entrepreneurship and Law, Financial Regulatory Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Higher Education Compliance, Human Resources Compliance, and NCAA Compliance and Sports Law.

Overview

A large research university consisting of 15 academic colleges, the University of Oklahoma is a force. It is located in Norman, OK and educates around 31,200 students each year. It keeps a high caliber of academic success. In fact, the school boasts a large number of enrolled National Merit Scholars.

Program Features

When you enroll in the College of Law for your online Master of Legal Studies, you’ll choose one of three areas of expertise: Indigenous Peoples Law, Healthcare Law, and Oil, Gas, & Energy Law. Each area involves 33 credit hours of coursework, organized in eight modules. Here’s a peek into some classes from each track:

• Native American Natural Resources
• Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country
• Real Estate Transactions
• Oil and Gas Environmental Law

Notables

A number of elements stand out at the University of Oklahoma. For one, all of the faculty for each specialty area were specifically selected for their expertise in those areas. Even more, if you choose the online format, you’ll be able to graduate in just 15 months.

Overview

Consistently named the #1 Most Innovative School in America, Arizona State University knows how to step up to the plate when it comes to online education. ASU Online offers over 150 degree programs to both undergraduate and graduate students. Last year, over 25,000 students were enrolled through ASU Online.

Program Features

Arizona State University knows that specificity is everything. That’s why the online Master of Legal Studies offers six customizable concentration areas. You’ll leave this program with more than just the ins and outs of federal law, legal argument, and policy. You’ll have a grasp on a specific area of law. Here are just a few concentration options:

• Sports Law and Business
• Sustainability Law
• HR and Employment LAw
• Criminal Law

Notables

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law has a growing list of accomplishments. For instance, this year U.S. News & World Report named it the #8 Public Law School in the country. It also praised individual programs, such as Legal Writing, Environmental Law, and Dispute Resolution.

Overview

Aligned with the Churches of Christ, Pepperdine University is a private, Christian school. It is located just outside of Los Angeles, near Malibu, California. Pepperdine University is a member of the Yellow Ribbon Program for Veterans. This means veterans who attend the university can enjoy unlimited tuition assistance.

Program Features

The Master of Legal Studies at Pepperdine University will set you apart. This 32-credit-hour program is delivered online with the option of two on-campus residencies. You also can choose to specialize in Dispute Resolution. Students tend to finish in 16 to 28 months. Core classes include:

• Negotiation Theory and Practice
• Civil Procedure and Litigation
• Administrative Law and Regulatory Compliance
• Constitutional Law

Notables

The concentration in Dispute Resolution is a huge opportunity at Pepperdine University. In fact, U.S. News & World Report named it the #1 program for Dispute Resolution. You can apply these specialized skills in mediation and negotiation to practically any field.

Overview

A public university with land-grant and space-grant designations, West Virginia University is a stand-out institution within the state. Though its main campus is located in Morgantown, West Virginia University also has locations throughout the state. The College of Law, established in 1878, is the only law school in West Virginia.

Program Features

West Virginia University provides three areas of focus within the Master in Legal Studies: Justice Systems, Healthcare, and Homeland Security. You’ll designate 9 credits of your total 30 credits to one of these areas. The rest of your curriculum will help you master the foundations of legal studies with classes like:

• Researching the Law
• Dispute Resolution Process
• Judicial Legal Process
• Administrative Ethics

Notables

West Virginia University Online delivers over 600 unique online classes, which make up 30 degrees in total. It’s no surprise, then, that the student support at WVU Online is top notch. You’ll first get set up with an enrollment coach, who will help you set up for classes. For the rest of your program, academic advisors and tutors are only an email or phone call away.

Overview

Named after our nation’s first president, Washington University St. Louis was founded in 1853. It is a prestigious private research university. In fact, 24 Nobel laureates have come from Washington University. The School of Law has strong online options, too. National Jurist named it the #4 “Most Wired Law School.”

Program Features

The Washington University School of Law is looking for candidates from all walks of life for the online Master of Legal Studies program. You’ll learn legal theory and practice that you can apply to nearly any industry. The online program covers 24 credits in total, which can be completed in one year. Some favorite courses include:

• Intellectual Property
• Trial Advocacy
• Corporate Compliance
• International Business Transactions

Notables

The program at Washington University St. Louis includes an optional on-campus weekend residency. You’ll get the chance to meet your professors, take a one-credit class, and network with area law firms. Online students also gain access to LexisNexis and Westlaw, two fantastic legal studies databases that come in handy for research.

Overview

A small but mighty public institution, the University of Illinois at Springfield enrolls around 5,700 students. Its online branch has been in operation since 1999. Ever since, it has been recognized for its excellence in distance learning. The MA in Legal Studies is one of 20 master’s degree programs.

Program Features

The University of Illinois at Springfield offers a Master of Arts in Legal Studies that allows you to attend 100 percent online. If you prefer a hybrid program, you can take both online classes and in-person night classes. You’ll take a total of 40 credit hours, which includes seminars, electives, and a thesis project. Some core classes you’ll take are:

• Legal Research and Citation
• Theories of Justice
• Public Advocacy
• Seminar in Courts and Policy-making

Notables

Although this program is delivered online, you can also choose to participate in a clinical experience. You’ll get the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a professional setting. Past placement locations have included state and federal attorneys’ offices, private law firms, legal aid offices, and others.

Overview

One of the largest Catholic colleges in the nation, Saint Leo University was the first Roman Catholic established in Florida. Saint Leo University was one of the first to provide distance learning to the United States, starting in the 1970s during the Vietnam war. Today, it continues to be a leader in online education, especially for active-duty military members.

Program Features

Saint Leo University takes a unique angle with its MS in Criminal Justice with a Legal Studies specialization. This online program acknowledges the importance of criminal justice administrators to know the legal system. This is a 36-credit-hour program, though 18 credits are solely devoted to legal studies. Here are some highlights:

• Legal Issues in Criminal Justice Administration
• Criminal Justice Policy Research and Evaluation
• Analytical Understanding of Interviews & Interrogation
• Criminal Advocacy and Judicial Procedure

Notables

Saint Leo University excels in military education. It maintains strong connections with the Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Air Force, and more. Currently, Saint Leo University has Education Centers located on military bases in seven states. In addition, military personnel will find many academic resources and tuition benefits.

Overview

The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law is a law school in Southern California that was established in 1969. It offers a Juris Doctor degree as well as a Master of Legal Studies degree. The school prides itself on small class sizes and a flexible curriculum, including online coursework.

Program Features

The Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law offers a completely online Master of Legal Studies. Most students attend classes part-time and finish up the 30-credit-hour requirement within a year and a half. Other than your core courses, you’ll take a handful of electives that are divided into two categories: Frontiers in Law and Regulatory Compliance. Here’s a peek:

• Litigation and Its Alternatives
• American Legal System
• Privacy Dilemmas
• Liability, Risk, and Insurance

Notables

Unique to the Santa Barbara and Ventura Colleges of Law, you have the option of earning a dual degree. Through a partnership with the College School of Professional Psychology, students can combine the Master of Legal Studies with an MA in Forensic Psychology or an MA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.