Boston Master of Legal Studies On-Campus Programs | MLS, LLM MSL Schools

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If graduate school for law is on your radar, a variety of universities offer either a Masters in Law (LLM), Master of Science in Law (MSL) or Master of Legal Studies on-Campus program. To understand the type of law graduate degree you are looking for may help you to narrow down some choices for graduate schools of law and legal studies since there are some distinctions between programs.

Masters of Legal Studies

Why Consider Master of Legal Studies On-Campus Programs?

Master of legal studies on-campus programs offer law students and professionals the opportunity not only to gain an education in the law but also to learn how to think critically, reason, debate and engage in legal research. As post-graduate law education, most programs require students to have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, and students may come from a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to, a Bachelors in legal studies or law degree.

  • Law School for non-lawyers: Most graduate degree in law programs such as the Masters of legal studies are designed for non-lawyers, who find themselves in careers where they might benefit from learning about legal procedures such as contract negotiations.
  • Understand U.S. legal system: Other Masters in law programs such as LLM degree programs may help international students brush up on their knowledge of the United States legal system. Alternatively, a U.S. student might choose a Master of Law in International Law to understand how the legal system works in a foreign country. This might be of interest to current and/or aspiring immigration lawyers. 
  • Potentially expand a law Practice: Or, graduate law school may be a place where currently licensed lawyers continue their education by learning a specialized area of practice such as Masters of law degrees in environmental law or taxation law.

DID YOU KNOW? When surveyed about their education level, 16 % of Labor Arbitrators indicated they had earned a Master’s degree.i

Potential Benefits of On-Campus MLS, MSL or LLM Programs

Master of legal studies on-campus programs may vary in curriculum and format, however, unlike for most fully MLS online programs, there is face-to-face learning. In fact, students may be in small law graduate school classes where they may have the opportunity to develop mentorships, personal and professional relationships with classmates, lecturers and teachers.

  • MLS, LLM and MSL schools may also cater to working professionals by offering classes in the evenings;
  • Some Masters in Legal Studies schools may also have full-time and part-time enrollment options;
  • You may have the opportunity to join campus associations, organizations or network with peers;
  • Law graduate schools may use a highly interactive form of class discussion and analysis which might include debating issues, examining case studies, and Socratic questioning;
  • Law courses may use interviewing courses to help students apply their knowledge;

What Might I Look for in MLS, LLM, MSL Schools?

Some of the factors you may wish to consider in choosing a graduate school for law and legal studies are;

  • What type of law graduate degree you are interested in? Master of science in Law, MA Legal Studies, MSL degree or LLM degree are some of the options you might be scrolling through
  • Subject Specialties
  • Finding accredited MLS, LLM or MSL Schools
  • Location needs

Master of Studies in Law On-Campus Programs

MSL Schools: Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree campus programs may be oriented for non-lawyers who want to learn the basics of legal concepts and explore the relationship between law and their discipline (science, technology, mathematics, engineering, business). Typically, the MSL degree is a one-year program and it is intended for those who do not desire a professional law degree.

Master of Legal Studies On-Campus Programs

MLS Schools: Master of Legal Studies on-campus (MLS) degree programs are also typically one-year degree programs oriented to non-lawyers who may work or aspire to work with regulations, negotiations, legal issues or lawyers. Students may also learn the process of legal analysis through case examinations or in learning about the laws and regulations that are related to their special interests (e.g. Intellectual property).

MA Legal Studies or Master of Science in Law Schools may also offer similar types of graduate degrees in law which may address issues such as compliance and how the regulatory environments might affect different types of professionals and entrepreneurs.

Masters of Law On-Campus Programs

LLM Schools: Masters of Law (LLM degree) campus programs are law graduate programs which are oriented to students (currently licensed attorneys) who have previously earned a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school or comparable legal degree from a non-U.S. law school. The LLM is not a law degree that prepares its graduates to take the Bar exams, however it might help an attorney refine skills and expand comprehension and expertise in a specific domain.

Find a Master of Legal Studies on-Campus program in a specific location: Are you looking for an MLS degree program or LLM degree program in a specific city, state or country? Use the location setting on our navigation to refine your search results. Location may be a consequential factor – especially if a graduate school for law and legal studies has partnerships with local businesses, law firms or other organizations where you might expand your professional circles or possibly, career opportunities.

Masters in Legal Studies on Campus: Specialty Programs

Look for Masters in legal studies on-campus programs using our on-page navigation in specialty areas such as:

Prospective legal studies Masters degree students might also consider any law-related volunteer, clinic, internship or externship programs are available by prospective law graduate schools.

Find Accredited MLS, LLM and MSL Schools

Accreditation is a process in which an outside agency or agencies evaluate a school's programs and faculty to ensure that they meet applicable academic and/or professional standards. The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit institutions itself, but it does recognize six regional accrediting agencies including the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the North Central Association (NCA). Masters of Legal Studies on-Campus programs may be offered at graduate schools with such regional accreditation. A fully accredited law school may be accredited by the American Bar Association which is the accreditation agency for law programs that lead to the Juris Doctor Degree.

Take the Next Step

Find campus-based Master in Legal Studies, Master of Science in Law and Masters of Law degree programs in law you are passionate about. Use the assistance of our on-page navigation to refine your preferences by ‘specialty’, then submit a form to request more information from the schools on your list. Take the next step in your legal studies and law graduate education today.

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