21 November, 2024
Law can be an exciting and lucrative field, but beyond the high-stakes and high-pressure careers of attorneys, there are many careers that value legal skills and knowledge.
If you’re interested in a career in law, want to work in an industry adjacent to law or your current role intersects with the legal field, there are three graduate degrees that can expand your knowledge and boost your career potential: the Master of Legal Studies (MLS), the Juris Doctor (JD) and the Master of Laws (LLM).
In this article, we break down the various advanced degrees, what to expect when pursuing each and their potential career outcomes.
What Is an MLS?
A Master of Legal Studies is a graduate degree designed for professionals who want to gain a deeper understanding of the law without becoming a practicing lawyer.
“It’s a great degree for those who don’t necessarily want to be lawyers or always work with lawyers, but want that to be part of their professional career,” said Philippe Weiss, Adjunct Professor of Law at the DePaul College of Law.
“If you’re not sure that a JD, a full legal degree, is right for you, an MLS degree and program is a perfect gateway because it allows you to get the exposure to key information and knowledge,” said Professor Weiss. “Think of it as an accelerator in your career as opposed to something that puts you directly and squarely on a legal track.”
An MLS is also ideal for individuals whose work intersects with legal issues or regulatory frameworks, such as law enforcement officers, social workers, policymakers and HR professionals. Managers across all industries can also benefit from earning an MLS, as it can strengthen their ability to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace.
Individuals might also pursue an MLS before their JD to determine their readiness for law school.
“Some folks are interested in pursuing an MLS as a stepstone to a JD,” explained Elizabeth Sheyn Brown, Adjunct Professor of Law in the DePaul College of Law. “The MLS degree provides a really great learning basis for someone who is trying to figure out if they want to move on to law school and take that next professional step.”
At DePaul College of Law, we offer an affordable, part-time Master of Legal Studies program with 100% online coursework. With a balance of interactive live sessions, asynchronous coursework and simulation-based assignments, this program provides students with career-changing legal skills.
What Is a JD?
A Juris Doctor is the degree that aspiring attorneys must earn before being eligible to practice law in the United States.
JD students typically spend three years learning about important cases, the principles of law, legal reasoning, legal writing and how to put legal skills into practice. They also will likely choose a speciality area of the law, such as constitutional law, business law, intellectual property or criminal law.
The JD prepares students to take and pass the bar exam in the state where they intend to practice law.
What Is an LLM?
A Master of Laws is an advanced degree that allows individuals that already have their JD to specialize in a particular area of law. Lawyers who were trained outside of the U.S. may also pursue this degree to take the bar exam (in certain states) or enter into a law-adjacent career in the U.S.
LLM programs offer a more expansive opportunity to study areas such as international law, tax law or intellectual property law. This can bolster an attorney’s expertise and make them more competitive in specific sectors.
LLMs are valuable not only for sharpening legal skills, but also for career advancement. The degree can open doors to teaching positions in law schools, leadership roles in large firms or roles in government or global organizations.
MLS vs. JD vs. LLM: Similarities and Differences
Student Demographics
MLS students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, as this degree can be useful to individuals in many different careers. Students often come from highly regulated fields such as business, healthcare, finance, human resources, government and education. These programs draw students in all stages of their careers, from recent graduates to experienced professionals seeking to broaden their expertise.
JD programs typically attract individuals with similar goals, but students can come from a wide range of backgrounds. Most students enter law school immediately after finishing a bachelor’s degree, but some students may be changing careers or returning to school after gaining work experience in other fields.
LLM students are typically more established in their careers, and they are often ranging from recent law school graduates to mid-career professionals. International lawyers often pursue LLM programs to gain familiarity with U.S. law systems, enabling them to practice here or work with international clients more effectively.
Time Commitment
A full-time MLS program takes about one year to complete, and students can expect to dedicate about 35 to 40 hours per week to their coursework. Part-time options usually take two or more years to complete — for example, DePaul’s online MLS is a part-time program that can be completed in two and a half years (or two years if an individual qualifies for a professional experience waiver). That extra time allows for flexible scheduling, such as online courses or evening classes, so that students can continue working while they pursue their degree.
JD programs typically require three years of full-time study, but there are part-time programs available that take four to five years to complete. JDs are known for intense workloads, with students dedicating 50-60 hours per week to their studies. Also, JD students often participate in extracurricular activities such as law review, internships or clinics.
The time commitment for an LLM is typically one academic year for full-time students, though there are many part-time programs that allow students to earn the degree in two to three years. While LLM workloads are less intensive than law school, students still spend significant time on their studies, including conducting in-depth legal research and writing papers.
Career Outcomes
MLS Career Options
“When considering whether one would take an MLS over a law degree, it really comes down to the kind of role you want to play in your professional career,” said Professor Weiss.
“If you want to be on the operational or management side of an organization, an MLS degree can be enormously valuable because it gives you the foundation you need from a compliance standpoint.”
| MLS Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Arbitrator/Mediator | $70,962 |
| Compliance specialist | $75,598 |
| Contracts specialist | $79,288 |
| Corporate social responsibility manager | $76,470 |
| Healthcare administrator | $109,757 |
| Human resources specialist | $67,657 |
| Law enforcement officer | $72,266 |
| Paralegal | $60,660 |
| Policy advisor | $131,235 |
Source: Lightcast, lightcast.io
Professor Sheyn Brown highlights the demand for legal knowledge across industries: “I think an MLS is a great option for professionals in a variety of industries,” she said. “Nowadays, there’s so much more regulation and legal development that legal skills are really valued across different industries. For example, in the finance industry, real estate, health care, public administration, and other similar types of industries, legal knowledge and skill is a high priority.”
LLM Career Options
LLM graduates typically pursue advanced legal practice, whether their goal is to build their existing law career or to practice in a new jurisdiction. The degree is especially valuable for international lawyers seeking U.S. credentials and JD holders targeting specialized fields such as securities regulation or environmental law.
| LLM Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Compliance officer | $77,200 |
| Environmental attorney | $127,200 |
| Foreign legal consultant | $71,400 |
| In-house legal counsel | $140,718 |
| Securities compliance attorney | $157,400 |
| Tax attorney | $151,300 |
Source: Lightcast, lightcast.io
JD Career Options
Because the Juris Doctor (JD) degree is the traditional path for those who wish to become licensed attorneys and practice law in the United States, it leads most directly to conventional legal practice and courtroom advocacy.
| JD Job Title | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Attorney | $140,716 |
| Consultant | $99,311 |
| Judge | $148,877 |
| Law professor | $83,568 |
| Lobbyist | $66,856 |
Source: Lightcast, lightcast.io
Curriculum
MLS curricula provide non-lawyers with a foundational understanding of legal principles and practices that are applicable to various industries.
Core courses cover subjects like legal research, contracts, administrative law and compliance. Students also choose concentration areas and/or electives that align with their career goals in areas like employment, data privacy, healthcare or business. MLS programs often include capstone projects or components of practical experience, where students apply their legal knowledge to real-world situations in their industry.
JD curricula are designed to provide a comprehensive legal education in three years, so they tend to be rigorously structured.
The first year typically focuses on foundational courses, such as torts, civil procedure and criminal law, while the second and third years consist of electives that are relevant for the specializations that students will pursue in their careers.
Aspiring lawyers also complete many hands-on learning experiences during their JDs, such as:
- Internships
- Externships
- Legal clinics
- Moot court competitions
- Law review
Unlike the broader JD curriculum, an LLM hones in on specialized areas of law. These programs typically include a combination of required courses that build expertise in a specific field with elective courses for even deeper specialization.
Many LLMs also offer options for independent research or a thesis where students are able to conduct an in-depth analysis on a particular legal issue.
Potential Concentrations
Law programs of all kinds offer similar concentrations, but availability depends on the school and the program. For example, DePaul’s Master of Legal Studies offers concentrations in Business Law and Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Law, as well as a general legal studies pathway.
Students should choose their concentrations carefully and base their decisions on how they plan to use their degree. For instance, an individual with an MLS concentrated in business law might work as a business consultant, whereas a JD with the same focus may litigate business cases in court.
Some potential concentrations you can find in MLS, JD or LLM programs include:
- Business and corporate law
- Criminal law
- Cybersecurity, data privacy and information technology
- Health law and healthcare compliance
- Family law
- Intellectual property law
- International law
- Tax law
About the DePaul College of Law Master of Legal Studies Program
The online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) from the DePaul College of Law provides professionals the knowledge and skills they need to navigate complex legal landscapes, understand legal research and collaborate with legal advisors.
Our curriculum covers essential legal topics such as research and writing, regulatory compliance, negotiation, communication and organizational management. With three concentration options available in data privacy and cybersecurity law, business law and general legal studies, students can tailor their education to their specific interests and career goals.
Courses are taught by dedicated faculty who are working lawyers and renowned legal scholars. They embed interactive learning components into the coursework, including simulation exercises and practice-based assignments, which allow students to hone their skills before applying them to their own workplaces.
Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome; no prior legal experience and no test scores are required to apply. Through our professional experience waiver, students can receive up to six credit hours (out of the 30 required for the degree) based on their relevant work experience, allowing them to earn their degree in a shorter time frame.
Learn more about the online MLS by downloading a brochure, or get started on your application today.
Request Information
To learn more about the online Master of Legal Studies at DePaul College of Law and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an admissions advisor directly by calling (800) 542-8539.