Since 2003, Jason Jarvie has spent his career in law enforcement, working in a variety of roles but always enjoying the training and leadership aspects of the job. Currently, he works for the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety.
“Most of my experience has been in patrol, SWAT, firearms instruction, active shooter response, narcotics, and K9 work. What I’ve come to enjoy most, though, is helping to develop other officers, whether that’s new officers or more experienced personnel looking to sharpen their skills,” Jarvie says.
Now, however, he’s keen to pursue a legal career, with interests in employment and criminal law. Before starting a JD program, he enrolled in the S.J. Quinney College of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program.
“After being away from school for more than 20 years, I knew I didn’t want to jump straight into a JD program without easing back into academics first,” he says. “The MLS program made sense for that. It’s given me a chance to rebuild those habits, get comfortable with legal concepts again, and make sure that law school is the right next step for me.”
And he’s been happy with that decision, noting that there was “definitely an adjustment” that first semester back. He also recognizes that the rewards of MLS classes include being more disciplined with time and more intentional with his studies.
“The flexibility of the online program has been huge for me, especially balancing work and family. At the same time, the coursework has been more demanding than I expected. It’s kept me engaged, and I’ve found a lot of it directly connects to situations I’ve seen in my career,” he says.
While on the job, Jarvie notes that he’s been more thoughtful in making decisions and understanding the legal frameworks since his enrollment. He most appreciates the College of Law’s faculty and their willingness to help the MLS students.
“The professors have stood out to me the most. They’ve been approachable and willing to take the time to answer questions and give real feedback when I have asked. That kind of support goes a long way, especially in an online setting,” he says.
Jarvie will finish the MLS program in August 2026 and looks forward to continuing his legal education at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law (MHSL).
“In August, I’ll be attending MHSL’s hybrid JD program as I work toward becoming an attorney. One of the big reasons I chose this route is because it lets me keep working and staying present with my family while still moving forward,” Jarvie says. “The MLS program has been a key step in getting me here. It helped me get comfortable with this style of learning and gave me the confidence to take the next step into law school.”
Learn more about the Master of Legal Studies program.