A Master of Law degree, or its equivalent, is highly beneficial, not only for lawyers to specialize in their profession but for other, non-lawyer professionals as well, such as business executives and entrepreneurs. Possessing a well-grounded understanding of U.S. laws or another law specialty, or law systems, in general, gives individuals communicational and professional access to a highly complex, yet crucial, platform.
Recommended Schools
Some of these programs were specifically designed to advance lawyers’ careers, yet many are offered to students of all backgrounds! Earning this degree makes graduates a valuable asset in many different environments giving graduate school students a chance to individualize their degree program.
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Additional information: Top Online Master’s of Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Top 10 Online Schools for Master’s in Law
METHODOLOGY: These Top 10 Online Schools for Master’s of Law were chosen, in no particular order, for several factors that put them ahead of other online graduate programs, based on the following:
- 100% Online or Hybrid learning formats,
- Offers many Financial Aid options,
- Provides any professional interested in law a comprehensive curriculum designed to assist students in any type of industry,
- Teaches about the legal system, structural components, and conflict resolution, as well as, litigation and social justice, plus more,
- Provides an education that gives students more than just a classroom experience,
- Allows students to balance school and work in the field of law, while offering affordable tuition and flexibility,
- Features many degree concentrations to choose from,
- Sharpens critical-thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills in the field of law,
- Received positive reviews from former graduates, as well as other reputable academic sources, focused on the field of law.
To learn more, please see our Methodology page.
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HAMLINE UNIVERSITY
Online Master in the study of Law
Program Standouts:
Hamline University offers its online law school students two strong concentration options through which to focus their curriculum, each of which provides unique opportunities. Yet, both programs broaden students’ perspectives and skills and challenge them in new ways.
Campus Location: St. Paul, MN
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; American Bar Association
Tuition and Fees:
- $800 per credit hour—tuition
- $9 per credit hour—technology fee
- $190 one time—program fee
Types of Aid: Institutional, alternative, and departmental scholarship opportunities; federal and private loans; federal grants; student employment programs.
Acceptance Rate: 69.1%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution, two letters of recommendation, LSAT scores, a personal statement, a statement of interest, a current resume, and verification of bar exam eligibility.
Program Options:
- Healthcare Compliance
- Dispute Resolution
Degree Outcomes:
Throughout a student’s graduate career at this school, they are given an abundance of resources and tools to assist them inside and outside of their program. This Master in the Study of Law will specialize in students’ careers in compelling areas within the discipline.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER IN THE STUDY OF LAW DEGREE PROGRAM
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CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE
Online MS in Law Degree
Program Standouts:
This school offers “the first broadly focused, in-depth Master of Science in Law program in the United States.” Champlain College is focused on giving its students a competitive edge in the workplace and supplies them with training in several application areas.
Campus Location: Burlington, VT
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition and Fees:
- $799 per credit hour—tuition
- $250 one time—program deposit
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; employer tuition reimbursement; various payment plans; military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution representing a GPA of 2.5 or higher, a statement of goals, an essay on a legal topic, a professional resume, and two letters of recommendation. TOEFL scores are required from non-native speakers of English.
Program Options:
- General Legal Studies
- Human Services Law and Systems
- Employment and Labor Law
Degree Outcomes:
Graduates from this fine school enter into many different employment positions wherein their skills are sorely needed. Grads are CEOs, small-business owners, paralegals, health care and social workers, contractors, teachers, and government employees who are putting their knowledge into practice.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE’S ONLINE MASTER’S OF SCIENCE IN LAW DEGREE
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WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS
Online Master of Laws (LL.M.) in U.S. Law Degree Program
Program Standouts:
Designed and delivered by the same faculty who teach the on-campus program, Washington University in St. Louis offers an esteemed Master of Laws in U.S. Law that will enhance international lawyers’ careers in today’s global legal environment. “Washington University Law is the first top-tier U.S. law school to offer an LL.M. in U.S. Law program online.”
Campus Location: St. Louis, MO
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition and Fees:
- $2,209 per credit hour—tuition
- $70 one time—application fee
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional fellowship opportunities; employee sponsorships.
Acceptance Rate: 16%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, the nonrefundable application fee, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution, letters of recommendation (not required), and a statement of purpose. Applicants are also required to complete an admissions interview.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Negotiation
- Intellectual Property
- International Business Transactions
Degree Outcomes:
Graduates from this school will have a shrewd understanding of U.S. Law and its many different areas of applicability. This gargantuan specialization prepares law students for a huge number of legal cases, scenarios, and otherwise. Graduates have explored the foundation of the U.S. legal system.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS’ ONLINE MASTER OF LAWS (LL.M.) IN U.S. LAW DEGREE PROGRAM
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HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
Master of Law in Health Law Policy distance learning degree
Program Standouts:
Hofstra University is highly ranked by U.S. News and World Report to be among the best law schools in the country. This school offers a Master of Laws in Health Law and Policy, an area of the discipline with tremendous opportunities, and a huge need for competent professionals of the field.
Campus Location: Hempstead, NY
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; American Bar Association
Tuition and Fees:
- $1,192 per credit hour—tuition
- $75 one time—application fee
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; institutional, federal, and state grants; aid for part-time students; student employment programs; institutional and alternative scholarships; veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 63.9%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official law school transcripts, and all other transcripts representing an exemplary GPA, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Medicare and Medicaid Law
- Bioethics and the Law
- Healthcare Compliance
Degree Outcomes:
Students learn how to “deliver expert legal counsel to clients confronting complex matters – from the Affordable Care Act and Medicare to insurance battles and biotechnology.” Graduates demonstrate in-depth knowledge of policy and utilize the law to navigate legislation and innovate and create change.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF LAWS IN HEALTH LAW POLICY
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CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Online MSL Degree
Program Standouts:
California Southern University offers an MS in Law that is well-suited to enhance other professions such as business executives and entrepreneurs, policymakers, and human resource professionals. At this online school, students learn from skilled educators who are also practicing attorneys.
Campus Location: Irvine, CA
Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition and Fees:
- $425 per credit hour—tuition
- $75 one time—application fee
Types of Aid: Locked-in tuition rates; institutional awards; alternative scholarship opportunities; state grants.
Acceptance Rate: 13%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, the nonrefundable application fee, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution, and a personal statement.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Intellectual Property
- Immigration Law
- Torts
Degree Outcomes:
Graduates from this innovative school will have an in-depth understanding of ethical, legal, and professional issues, and will be able to communicate at a much higher level. Courses vary to give students a profound understanding of the many-faceted nature of this discipline.
Recommended Schools
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN LAW (MSL)
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FLORIDA COASTAL UNIVERSITY
Master of U.S. Laws E-Learning Degree
Program Standouts:
Florida Coastal School of Law delivers an online Master of U.S. Laws in which students have a litany of benefits and resources to assist them throughout their education. For example, students have access to the online School of Law library, as well as access to an innovative learning management system that connects them to their professors and classmates, as well as unique learning tools.
Campus Location: Jacksonville, FL
Accreditation: American Bar Association
Tuition and Fees:
- $675 per credit hour—tuition
- $115 one time—application fee
Types of Aid: Federal and private/alternative loans; institutional and private scholarship opportunities; various payment plans.
Acceptance Rate: 64.3%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application to the Law School Admission Council, the nonrefundable application fee, official law school transcripts, and any other transcripts, a brief personal statement, and a current resume or CV. TOEFL scores are required from non-native speakers of English.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
- Professional Responsibility
- Business Organizations
Degree Outcomes:
The curriculum is designed to provide students with an overview of the U.S. legal system, while also allowing students to meet the curricular eligibility requirements for the California and Washington state bar exams. A degree from this school gives students strong connections upon entering a new field of law.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW’S ONLINE LL.M. IN U.S. LAW FOR INTERNATIONAL LAWYERS
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UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD
Online Master in Legal Studies
Program Standouts:
In the University of Illinois Springfield’s online Master in Legal Studies, particular emphasis is put on analytical thinking, research, and writing skills. The curriculum is perfect for non-lawyer professionals and students who require a detailed understanding of the law.
Campus Location: Springfield, IL
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Tuition and Fees:
- $329 per credit hour—in-state tuition
- $675 per credit hour—out-of-state tuition
- $105.65 per credit hour—mandatory fees
- $75 one time—application fee
Types of Aid: Federal and private/alternative loans; institutional scholarship opportunities; federal and state grants; student employment programs.
Acceptance Rate: 52.4%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application, the nonrefundable application fee, and official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution representing a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Sampling of Coursework:
- Public Advocacy
- Theories of Justice
- Seminar in Politics and Law
Degree Outcomes:
The school’s curriculum seeks to develop students’ professional and scholarly abilities with a view of the kinds of skills they will need in law-related careers or more advanced studies. Students gain professional skills in their study of legal theory as well as a refined knowledge of the law and legal systems.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-SPRINGFIELD’S MASTER’S DEGREE IN LEGAL STUDIES ONLINE
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DREXEL UNIVERSITY
Master of Legal Studies Distance Learning Degree
Program Standouts:
According to the school’s website, “the Online Master of Legal Studies offered by Drexel’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law provides professionals seeking advanced legal knowledge with an in-depth, specialized study of the legal system.” Ideal candidates have a professional background in one of four specialization areas.
Campus Location: Philadelphia, PA
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education; American Bar Association
Tuition and Fees:
- $1,176 per credit hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Federal and private loans; federal and state grants; employer tuition reimbursement; various payment plans; numerous military and veterans’ benefits.
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution, two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, a current resume, and GMAT/GRE/LSAT scores (optional).
Program Options:
- Criminal Law
- Health Care Compliance
- Human Resources Compliance
- NCAA Compliance and Sports Law
Degree Outcomes:
Upon graduating from this school of law, students will have an enhanced knowledge of how the law applies to the fields in which they work. Students learn through the completion of complex coursework and challenging projects.
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DREXEL UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF LEGAL STUDIES DEGREE PROGRAM
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ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Online Master of Legal Studies
Program Standouts:
Arizona State University is an extremely accomplished distance education school and is continuously recognized for its achievements in academia. The school’s online Master of Legal Studies is “a unique advanced legal degree for non-lawyers.” The curriculum is customizable and offers four areas of concentration.
Campus Location: Tempe, AZ
Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Tuition and Fees:
- $1,040 per credit hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Institutional and external scholarship opportunities; institutional and state grants; federal and private/alternative loans; student employment programs.
Acceptance Rate: 84.1%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed application and official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution representing a GPA of 3.0 or higher. TOEFL scores are required from non-native speakers of English.
Program Options:
- Sports Law
- Sustainability Law
- HR and Employment Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Criminal Law
Degree Outcomes:
Graduates that earn an M.L.S. degree will have a basic understanding of U.S. law, legal structures, and legal reasoning. Coming from a diverse range of backgrounds, students advance their education to open many exciting future employment opportunities, because as ASU states, “the law touches every career.”
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE MASTER OF LEGAL STUDIES
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NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
Master of Legal Studies Distance Learning Degree Program
Program Standouts:
The Northeastern University School of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies program is designed specifically for non-lawyer professionals seeking the practical legal knowledge they need for career success. The curriculum is focused on providing students with a consummate understanding of the law.
Campus Location: Boston, MA
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Tuition and Fees:
- $945 per semester hour—tuition
Types of Aid: Institutional fellowships and assistantships; institutional and external scholarship opportunities; federal and private/alternative loans; student employment programs.
Acceptance Rate: 27.4%
Admission Requirements:
Applicants must submit a completed online application, official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate institution, a professional resume, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, GRE/LSAT scores (optional), and TOEFL scores from non-native speakers of English.
Program Options:
- Health Law
- Business Law
- Human Resources
Degree Outcomes:
This online program gives students who have never studied law the fundamental knowledge to contribute imperative information and skills to their current profession or a future career. Students receive full support from the school’s Career Development Office, “ensuring that each student will graduate the program networked for life.”
LEARN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW’S MASTER OF LEGAL STUDIES
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is an online Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree?
An online Master of Laws degree program is available for those who want to expand their professional practice by furthering their education. A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is required in the United States to practice law as an attorney; however, if you would like to concentrate your efforts on a particular field, such as taxation, finance, or international law, a Master of Laws degree will benefit you greatly. It is common to see the Master of Laws degree abbreviated as LL.M. What does that stand for? It signifies Latin Legum Magister meaning “of the laws.”
Do I need a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree before I pursue an online Master of Laws degree?
Yes, typically to qualify for an online Master of Laws degree program, you will need to have previously earned a Juris Doctor degree. In addition, your JD degree must be from a school approved by the American Bar Association.
A degree program in this field is sometimes competitive to enter. Typically, the LL.M. degree program only accepts a limited number of well-qualified students. Depending on your school, you may need to be currently practicing as an attorney, as well as exhibit excellence in your academic history and a genuine dedication to your chosen specialty.
What will I learn in an online Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree program?
An online Master of Law degree program will prepare you for a wide array of career options or specializations if you so choose. As you add to your professional skills set, you can expect to focus on concentrations, such as Finance and Banking, Intellectual Property (IP), Sports Law, Corporate Law, International Law, Human Resources, Business Law, Environmental or Taxation Law, to name a few. You will learn about Personal Injury Law, Information Privacy, and Security, along with, the American legal system, the litigation process, and about the federal and state court systems, plus much more.
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“The keystone to justice is the belief that the legal system treats all fairly.” – Janet Reno