Online Master of Legal Studies University of Cincinnati Online

The University of Cincinnati’s 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.

A Master of Legal Studies degree from Cincinnati Law can help you:

• Add value to your current role through a greater understanding of how the law intersects with your responsibilities
• Increase your competitiveness as a job applicant by holding a master’s degree in legal studies
• Enhance your resume by developing skills in specialized areas of the law

Master of Legal Studies Program Highlights:

• Fully online and asynchronous: No campus visits are required and the program’s online format enables students to complete all degree requirements without having to relocate to the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area.
• Employment opportunities: The University of Cincinnati’s College of Law partners with businesses to create pathways for their employees to become MLS online students and participate in a capstone related to their field of interest. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the demand for professionals with MLS degrees in law for non-lawyers is growing by 15% through 2026.
• Flexible Scheduling: Students will earn their degree in five terms, taking two seven-week classes per semester, equaling less than two years to complete the degree. This allows students the opportunity to work at their own pace while maintaining their full-time jobs and balancing family life. We offer three start dates per year for your convenience.

The comprehensive course curriculum is designed to help you benefit from a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. Legal system. The program will cover two introductory courses and eight upper-level courses that concentrate on business-related subjects, building on and eventually supplementing, UC College of Law’s strength in business law.

The program will also help you to stay ahead of current legal trends and issues. Many graduates of our online Master of Legal Studies degree program advance in their current careers upon obtaining new skills and knowledge pertaining to the legal system.

Master of Legal Studies Program Highlights:

• Graduate in as few as 1.5 years taking 6 credits per semester for 5 total semesters
• 30 total semester hours taught 100% online
• Three enrollment periods each year: 1 fall, 1 spring, 1 summer

The curriculum combines cutting-edge theory with real-world application

Curriculum at a Glance

• Introduction to Law
• Legal Research and Communication
• Business Law
• Compliance
• Risk Management
• Privacy and Cybersecurity Law
• Contracts: Negotiation, Formation, and Interpretation
• Employment Law
• Administrative Law

• UC’s College of Law ranks in the top 40 public law schools among the 2022 Best Law Schools report from U.S. News & World Report.
• Ranks in the top 3 most affordable law schools.
• Ranks in the top 50 law schools for student quality.

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 by 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.

Pivoting Your Career with UC Law’s Online Masters of Legal Studies Program

Our MLS Law online degree can also open career opportunities by allowing you to pivot your career toward the legal aspects of your field. For example, individuals working in healthcare could benefit from a course in compliance policies.

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

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 $66,803 per year; however, certain job titles see higher levels of compensation. For example, according to the Legal Salary Guide compiled by Robert Half, compliance directors can earn as much as $186,000 annually.