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What Can I Expect from an Online Master’s in Legal Studies Program
Although an online master’s in legal studies doesn’t prepare you to become an attorney, you can expect to find courses that will give you a better understanding of the law. Legal studies graduate programs provide students with thorough knowledge of the legal system in the United States so they can acquire legal positions in the courts, business, education, reporting, or law enforcement. Many students who want to add a master’s in legal studies to their resumes are already employed, and online programs offer a flexible way to earn an advanced degree while continuing to work.
You can expect the best online master’s programs in legal studies to fit your personal and professional schedules and prepare you for a career change or upward mobility in your current career. Compare curriculum, concentrations, format, and cost to determine which program is right for you.
Available concentrations
Once you choose your program, you may also have the opportunity to choose an area of specialization. Here are some of the more common concentrations offered in legal studies degree programs:
Human resources: Covers the complexities of personnel management, including the regulatory framework related to overseeing employees and all aspects of employment laws. This concentration may lead to human resource manager, human research assistant, or compensation and benefits manager jobs.
Healthcare regulation and compliance: Explores the major regulatory issues related to the healthcare field and all aspects of compliance programs. With this focus, you may be eligible for jobs as a healthcare compliance officer, healthcare compliance auditor, or regulatory affairs associate.
Regulatory compliance and legal risk management: Examines the legal requirements applicable to data security in the digital age and the liabilities faced by businesses and governments, including compliance requirements. Graduates may assume positions such as compliance officer or regulatory affairs associate.
Criminal justice: This specialization is designed for law enforcement professionals seeking career advancement by learning more about the legal system.
Mediation and arbitration: Focuses on the main methods of alternative dispute resolution used in situations approaching conflict. It equips graduates for jobs including mediator, arbitrator, or conciliator.
Common degree curriculum
Most online master’s in legal studies programs don’t require previous work experience or passing standardized tests, such as the LSAT and GRE. Some programs can be completed entirely online, but others require some coursework to be completed on campus or offer optional on-campus events. Most programs provide a variety of concentrations and are customizable to reflect your professional interests but offer similar core courses. Some courses you might see in your curriculum include the ones listed below.
Introduction to Legal Studies: A general overview of the U.S. legal system and how the law works, including a basic understanding of legal documents, licensing, and contracts.
Regulation and Compliance: Examine how the law affects individuals, businesses, and organizations, including statutes relating to health, safety, employment, consumer protection, and the environment.
Contracts: Teaches students how to interpret and write binding and non-binding contracts, cover the damages for breach and the statute of frauds and liability.
Legal Research: Covers the fundamentals of legal research and various methodologies, including research in the law library, law books and periodicals, and computer-assisted research.
Legal Writing and Analysis: Improves your analytical and written communication skills, including identifying and analyzing legal issues and drafting legal memoranda.
Certification and license preparation
You may be interested in several possible certifications when you earn your legal studies degree. Earning certifications can enhance your resume and help make you more marketable when job searching. Here are a few you may consider:
American Alliance Certified Paralegal: Earning your online master’s in legal studies helps fulfill your educational requirements to apply for the American Alliance Certified Paralegal credential through the American Alliance of Paralegals. However, you must also meet set criteria in paralegal experience.
Certified Paralegal: Completing your online master’s in legal studies can prepare you to complete the Certified Paralegal program offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants, which serves as the national professional standard for paralegal professionals and is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.
Accredited Legal Professional: Earning your online master’s in legal studies can qualify you to sit for the exam to become an Accredited Legal Professional through the National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS). Certification is available to anyone who meets the minimum requirements, which doesn’t include membership in the association.
Professional Legal Secretary and/or Certified Legal Professional: Your online master’s in legal studies may qualify you to sit for the Professional Legal Secretary and/or Certified Legal Professional exam offered through NALS. While membership in the association isn’t required, you must meet the minimum requirements for certification.
Professional Paralegal: Earning your online master’s in legal studies helps qualify you for the Professional Paralegal exam. This certification is offered through NALS and doesn’t require you to be a member, but you must meet specific prerequisites.
Program accreditation
Accreditation is important when selecting an online master’s in legal studies program because it affects your eligibility for federal and state financial aid and private scholarships and grants. Choosing an accredited school ensures your education meets strict standards. The college or university should be accredited through an agency recognized by the Department of Education or Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Program completion timeframe
The length of time it takes to complete your online master’s degree in legal studies varies based on the length of the program, whether you enroll as a full-time or part-time student, and the program’s format. Online programs are either offered asynchronously (self-paced) or synchronously (on a set schedule with other students).
When you want to earn your degree quickly, choose an accelerated, self-paced program, which significantly reduces the time it takes to finish. On average, most online master’s in legal studies programs require you to earn 30-36 credits. Students can complete most programs in as little as a year, but others take two years. Some schools require a capstone project to finish your program, and others require residencies, which can add to the time it takes to complete your degree.
Employment Outlook for Master’s in Legal Studies Graduates
According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, legal studies professionals with a bachelor’s degree earn a median salary of $51,000. Those with a master’s degree earn a median salary of $78,000. While earning your master’s in legal studies online offers the same upward mobility and salary expectations as completing a traditional on-campus program, some careers in legal studies also require state licensing or certification from a professional association.
Because a master’s in legal studies opens a wide variety of career paths with varied upward mobility, there’s a range in expected salary. For a general idea of what you could earn, the table below provides salary averages for some common career choices in legal studies.
Because legal issues are a concern in every industry, your career choices are vast, and you can easily align your legal studies master’s degree program with your professional goals by customizing your curriculum. Your advanced degree makes you a highly desirable candidate for various entry-level positions. It also strengthens your ability to work your way up into a managerial role.
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators assist opposing parties in settling disputes outside of court by facilitating negotiations that help both parties come to a mutually acceptable agreement. Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators work as impartial third parties to help resolve disputes, but arbitrators can render binding decisions. Arbitrators and mediators meet with opposing parties simultaneously, but conciliators meet with them separately.
Court reporters are responsible for creating an accurate word-for-word transcript of what was said at trials, depositions, and other legal proceedings. Many court reporters work in courtrooms or different legal settings. Others create captioning for television or work as real-time translators for deaf or hard-of-hearing people by transcribing speech to text in classrooms, business meetings, or public events.
Paralegals and legal assistants work as legal support staff to lawyers, performing various tasks depending on the area of law in which they work. Tasks include organizing files, drafting documents, conducting legal research, and helping prepare for trials or corporate meetings.
Human resource managers coordinate the administrative functions of businesses, corporations, organizations, and government agencies, including directing all aspects of personnel management. HR managers may also oversee the compensation and benefits programs and training and development programs.
$130,000 per year
5%
Professional organizations
Professional organizations help you keep up with the ever-changing legal support profession by providing the necessary resources to adapt and pursue life-long learning. Professional organizations also help you network with other professionals and make valuable connections with more experienced professionals in the field. Some of the most notable professional organizations in legal support professionals include:
National Association of Legal Assistants: A leading organization for paralegals and legal assistants, NALA provides numerous educational opportunities, hosts webinars, sponsors certification programs, and offers networking and professional development opportunities that help legal support professionals advance in their careers.
American Alliance of Paralegals: The AAP is a national paralegal association focused on helping individuals attain and maintain formal, legal, and continuing education. It offers a quarterly newsletter, a job bank, and continuing education courses.
NALS Association for Legal Support Professionals: Designed for anyone in the legal support industry, this association offers membership forums, networking opportunities, professional certification, online education sessions, and state and local chapters that help you connect with colleagues in your area.
Financing Your Online Master’s in Legal Studies Degree
While online master’s programs in legal studies are usually less expensive than on-campus programs, many students still need financial assistance. Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to learn what type of financial aid you qualify for through the federal government. You may also qualify for state aid and assistance through your educational institution. Because legal studies is a broad study area with numerous career options, you may also qualify for many private scholarships.
Student Finance Resources and Guides
Finding the right financial aid package for your needs can be challenging, and you’ll likely have some questions. Use the following resources to learn more about financing your online education.
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
