WHY AN MLS?
The Master of Legal Studies degree builds a strong foundation for working with and understanding law and regulation. Immerse yourself in the law and intricacies of the U.S. legal system without the time and cost of earning a J.D. degree.
Designed to expand your legal expertise and inform your career, the Master of Legal Studies program is the legal degree for every industry and profession.
The Master of Legal Studies degree will allow students to:
- Gain legal skills and knowledge to have a robust understanding of the U.S. regulatory system, government, and legal ecosystem, including the judicial process, the role of lawyers, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and foundational legal principles.
- Become conversant in legal terminology through exposure to judicial decisions, substantive legal texts, statutes, legal reasoning, and writing.
- Gain exposure to specific substantive areas of law that you are interested in through elective courses focusing on criminal law, employment law, business law, family law, property, etc.
- Bolster your resume and empower yourself to work with or adjacent to law and regulation and better understand complex legal matters.
Industries and roles for MLS graduates:
The roles graduates have held are listed below in order of seniority and are not inclusive.
Compliance
Chief Compliance Officers, General Compliance Officers, Compliance Associates, Senior Manager of Sanctions, Contract Compliance Associates, and Technology Contracts Managers.
Entrepreneurship
Many of our graduates run their own businesses in industries such as real estate, technology, consulting and wellness. Other graduates work in a variety of business roles such as marketing, communications, operations and logistics.
Human Resources
Human Resource Directors, Human Resources Analysts, SHRM professionals, and Recruitment Managers.
Healthcare
Research Compliance Associates, Patient Care Coordinators, Employment Law Specialists, and Business Systems Analysts.
Education
Secondary educators, University Staff employees (e.g. administrative directors & policy informers) Student Athlete Advocates, Program Managers, and Professors.
Legal field & firm setting opportunities
While our program does not satisfy the requirements to become a paralegal, it does help provide context for working in legal careers such as practice support specialists, legal recruitment and law firm operations.
Mediation
—Becoming a court-rostered mediator is a popular path for those who have taken Basic and/or Domestic Mediation courses.
—More information about mediation related education requirements and paths can be found in this document and on the Utah State Courts Webpage.
Licensed Paralegal Practitioner
Students may pursue an LPP following successful completion of the MLS program. More information about this pathway can be found in this document and on the Utah State Bar’s webpage.
Program Formats
The MLS program is offered in two convenient formats: entirely online, and in-person at the University of Utah Salt Lake City Main Campus.
In-Person Program
The MLS In-Person Program is conducted every other Friday and Saturday at the S.J. Quinney College of Law in Salt Lake City, Utah
Format: Full Time In Person
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree
Start: Fall Semester
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Online Program
The MLS Online Program is delivered in an asynchronous format so that it can be completed at times convenient to the student.
Format: Full time Online coursework
Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree
Start: Fall semester
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Program Benefits
Convenient
AVAILABLE ONLINE OR IN-PERSON
Efficient
ONE YEAR / THREE SEMESTERS
Powerful
LEGAL SKILLS TO ADVANCE ANY CAREER