Top 8 Online Master's in Legal Studies Programs for 2019
An online legal studies program explores the basic tenets of the law, and is well-suited for those currently working either inside or outside the legal system. Because the law affects every aspect of a business, an employee well-versed in legal studies can help detect and prevent legal problems before they become significant issues. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10% increase in legal occupations within the next decade, making it a terrific time to pursue a master of law degree online.
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Top 8 Online Masters in Legal Studies Programs for 2019
Admissions Rate
75%
Graduation Rate
68%
Online Enrollment
20%
Retention Rate
84%
Default Rate
4%
Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel offers one of the nation's most comprehensive online master of legal studies programs. Students can pursue a concentration, allowing them to customize their degree to fit their professional interests. These concentrations include: criminal law, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, sports law, and regulatory compliance in healthcare, finance, human resources, and higher education.
Most concentrations require only three or four courses to complete and distance learners can enroll in more than one during their tenure. Students can enroll on a full- or part-time basis. Courses are delivered asynchronously online, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and submit an essay, resume, and two letters of recommendation to be considered. GRE scores are recommended but not required.
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How to Choose an Online Master's in Legal Studies Program
The length of an online master of legal studies degree program depends on several factors. Most master's of legal studies degree programs can last one to two years, and range from 15-to-24 credits or more. However, some may be offered at an accelerated pace to accommodate working professionals. One year programs are typically very rigorous and require students to dedicate extra hours to study. Degree candidates may also enroll as part-time or full-time students, depending on their schedule. Additionally, some programs are fully online and do not require on-campus attendance. Other programs are offered as hybrids or require students to meet in class a few times during the semester.
Another factor that determines a program's duration is course length. Schools may be on a semester or quarter calendar, and courses can last for several weeks or more throughout the fall, spring, and summer terms. Students should also note tuition costs: most programs require students to pay per credit, and financial aid is based on the amount of credits one takes.
Careers for Graduates of Master's in Legal Studies Programs
A master's in legal studies prepares graduates for a wide range of exciting and lucrative professions. Graduates find careers as paralegals, healthcare professionals, and engineers, among others. Students may also also further specialize their degrees by selecting concentrations in areas where they may have prior knowledge or experience, such as intellectual property or human rights. The table below describes some potential career paths and their corresponding median salaries.
Paralegals provide support services for lawyers. Typically employed by law firms, they perform administrative tasks such as filing, faxing, and scheduling. They also interview clients before recommending them to a lawyer. They assist lawyers with filing motions and briefs, and accompany lawyers to court and help them research cases.
Median Salary: $46,000
Job Outlook and Salary for Graduates of Legal Studies Master's Degrees
The BLS predicts significant job growth for professionals working in the legal industry. As demand grows, competition increases, and those with a master's of legal studies degree have a major advantage over applicants without a master's. Legal studies graduates with an interest in law school may also work as legal secretaries or paralegals to gain on-the-job experience. Non-attorneys fulfill roles as court reporters, paralegals, and legal assistants. As with many other fields, salary rates in the industry depend on occupation, location, experience, and education.
| Employment, 2014 | Projected Employment, 2024 |
|---|---|
| 285,600 | 327,400 |
Salary Growth by Experience for Graduates of Legal Studies Master's Programs
A master's in legal studies online prepares graduates to fulfill roles in the legal field and provide legal expertise to others outside of the field. Typically, those with advanced degrees are more likely to be hired for management positions and receive promotions. Students with or without legal experience can apply for a master's in legal studies online program. By blending one's background and experience with their online master's in legal studies, one can maximize their earning potential.
To determine the best online legal studies programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the 25 best online legal studies degree programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.