Cecily Zamora
A Master of Studies in Law (MSL), also known as a Master of Legal Studies (MLS), is a master's degree offered by some law schools to students who want to study the law but do not intend to become lawyers. The degree is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the law and can be used as a career booster, especially for those who regularly interact with lawyers or need a deeper understanding of how the law influences their industry. Obtaining an MSL can open up a variety of career paths, including human resources manager, law librarian, conciliator, business analyst supervisor, compliance director, and health services manager.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Degree Name | Master of Studies in Law (MSL), Master of Science of Law, Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Science in Legal Studies, Juris Master, Master of Jurisprudence, or Master in Law |
| Degree Type | Master's Degree |
| Purpose | For students who want to study the law but do not want to become lawyers |
| Duration | 1 academic year (2 semesters) |
| Curriculum | Similar to first-year Juris Doctor students with potential for further specialization |
| Institutions | Offered by some law schools |
| Career Opportunities | Compliance director, health services manager, operations director, business analyst supervisor, management analyst, human resources manager, law librarian, paralegal, military police, regulatory compliance officer |
| Salary | Librarians earned a median annual salary of $60,820 in 2020, with the top 10% making more than $97,460. Conciliators earned a median annual wage of $66,130 in 2020 |
| Comparison to Juris Doctor (JD) | MSL is a relatively new degree, not intended for practicing lawyers; JD is required to practice law in most jurisdictions |
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What You'll Learn
- A Master of Studies in Law is for those who want to study law but not become lawyers
- It can be used as a career booster, especially for those who work with lawyers
- It can help you transition to a law-related profession, like a paralegal or military police
- You can pursue a wide range of law-related career options in the civilian world or in the military
- You can become a law librarian, conciliator, or HR manager
A Master of Studies in Law is for those who want to study law but not become lawyers
A Master of Studies in Law (MSL), also known as a Master of Legal Studies (MLS), is a degree designed for students who want to study law but not become lawyers. This degree is ideal for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the legal system and its applications without committing to becoming a practising lawyer.
The MSL is a relatively new type of degree that provides individuals with a working knowledge of the law. It is often pursued by those who regularly interact with lawyers in their current profession and wish to engage with them more effectively. For instance, an MSL degree can be beneficial for human resources managers, who are responsible for strategizing and maintaining the legal and administrative functions of an organization. With a strong understanding of employment law, HR managers can effectively handle issues such as sexual harassment, equal employment opportunity, and other human resources challenges.
The degree is also valuable for those in operations and management roles, such as business analyst supervisors or management analysts. By understanding how laws and regulations impact a business, these professionals can make informed and compliant recommendations to achieve the company's goals. Additionally, the MSL degree can enhance one's career in the military, where individuals often deal with complex legal issues and tasks.
Graduates with an MSL degree can explore a variety of career paths that apply their legal knowledge without practising law. For example, they can work as conciliators, guiding opposing parties towards mutually acceptable agreements. Other options include compliance officers in healthcare or banking, ensuring that organizations maintain their legal and ethical integrity by staying up-to-date with relevant laws and regulations.
The MSL degree is versatile and can lead to diverse opportunities in law-related professions. While some graduates may choose to pursue law school, many apply their legal expertise in fields such as human resources, healthcare law, or as paralegals, collaborating with practising attorneys without becoming lawyers themselves.
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It can be used as a career booster, especially for those who work with lawyers
A Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is a master's degree offered by some law schools to students who wish to study the law but do not want to become lawyers. The degree is designed for individuals who want a working knowledge of the law and can be used as a career booster, especially for those who work with lawyers.
The degree can be particularly useful for those who regularly interact with lawyers as part of their job and would like to engage with them more effectively. For example, human resources managers are among the potential master's in legal studies jobs one might pursue. Businesses and corporations aim to abide by all laws regarding how they treat employees and operate. Human resources managers strategize and maintain an organization's administrative functions and are in charge of its workforce, overseeing employee benefit programs, consulting on human resources issues, and handling staff issues. A master's in legal studies can help prepare individuals for these duties, providing them with the knowledge to pursue a wide range of law-related career options.
Similarly, a master's in legal studies can be useful for those working in operations or business analyst roles. Operations directors interact closely with both management and rank-and-file employees, and a deeper understanding of how the law and regulations impact their job and company will lead to a more successful tenure. Business analysts perform a number of duties with the goal of understanding a business's key challenges and goals and then making recommendations to achieve key priorities. A firm understanding of the laws and regulations that impact the business is critical for business analysts to ensure that the recommendations made are appropriate and actionable.
A master's in legal studies can also be useful for those working in compliance roles. Compliance directors are largely responsible for ensuring that a company or organization maintains its legal and ethical integrity. They do this by conducting legal research to stay on top of the ever-changing laws and regulations that govern their industry and by implementing policy enforcement programs. A master's in legal studies can provide individuals in these roles with a more thorough understanding of the law and regulations, allowing them to more effectively carry out their duties.
In addition to the above, a master's in legal studies can also be useful for those working in law-related professions such as paralegals or regulatory compliance officers, providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to do their work and transition to other law-related professions if desired.
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It can help you transition to a law-related profession, like a paralegal or military police
A Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is a master's degree offered by some law schools to students who wish to study the law but do not want to become lawyers. The degree is often used as a career booster for individuals who can benefit from a deeper understanding of the law and its applications. For instance, an MSL degree can help you transition to a law-related profession like a paralegal or military police.
Transitioning to a Paralegal Role with an MSL Degree
Paralegals are legal assistants who work closely with lawyers to support them in providing high-quality service to clients. They are responsible for performing a range of duties, including drafting legal documents, organizing and maintaining case paperwork, interviewing clients and witnesses, managing court calendars, and conducting research to find applicable precedents. While paralegals cannot legally advise clients, they perform a substantial amount of legal work under the supervision of an attorney. Obtaining a master's in law can help prepare students for a paralegal career. The degree can help students build their industry knowledge and skill set, making them more competitive candidates for senior positions in law firms.
Transitioning to a Military Police Role with an MSL Degree
Military police officers, also known as MPs, are law enforcement officials who work on military bases and in other military settings. They enforce military laws and regulations, protect the lives of armed forces members, and protect the property of the various military branches. A master's in law can help prepare individuals for a career in military law enforcement by providing them with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform criminal investigations, charge and arrest criminal suspects, collect and analyze evidence, and more. The degree can also help individuals qualify for promotional opportunities and further training within the military.
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You can pursue a wide range of law-related career options in the civilian world or in the military
A Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is a master's degree offered by some law schools to students who wish to study the law but do not want to become lawyers. The degree is designed for individuals who want a working knowledge of the law and its applications in various industries, such as business, healthcare, and the military.
Obtaining a master's in legal studies can open up a variety of career paths and opportunities for advancement in law-related fields. Here are some options to consider:
Civilian Careers:
- Human Resources Manager: HR managers ensure that businesses comply with laws and regulations regarding employee treatment and operations. They oversee employee benefit programs, handle staff issues, and consult on HR issues like equal employment opportunities and sexual harassment.
- Compliance Director: Compliance directors ensure a company maintains its legal and ethical integrity by conducting legal research and implementing policy enforcement programs. This role is common in highly regulated industries like healthcare, where compliance directors work with health services managers to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Business Analyst: Business analysts understand a company's challenges and goals and make recommendations to achieve priorities. A master's in legal studies ensures their recommendations comply with relevant laws and regulations.
- Law Librarian: Librarians with legal expertise assist professionals in accessing legal information.
- Conciliator: Conciliators guide opposing parties towards mutually acceptable agreements. While similar to mediators, conciliators meet with each party separately and then make recommendations. A master's in legal studies can be an advantage in these roles.
Military Careers:
A master's in legal studies can also prepare individuals for law-related roles in the military, such as:
- Paralegal: Paralegals collaborate with practicing attorneys and can work in law firms or for active-duty military personnel.
- Military Police: A master's in legal studies can provide the knowledge and skills needed for military police roles.
- Regulatory Compliance: Some MLS graduates work in banks or other financial institutions as regulatory compliance officers, ensuring the organization complies with relevant laws and regulations.
The Master of Legal Studies degree is a versatile qualification that can enhance career prospects in both civilian and military contexts, providing a strong foundation for law-related roles without requiring individuals to become practicing lawyers.
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You can become a law librarian, conciliator, or HR manager
A Master of Science in Law can open doors to several career paths, including becoming a law librarian, conciliator, or HR manager.
Law Librarian
Law librarians require a strong understanding of legal concepts and resources, often gained through a Master of Science in Law with a concentration in law librarianship. This degree equips graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to manage law libraries, access legal information, and provide legal informatics services.
Conciliator
Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators are professionals who help resolve conflicts outside of the court system. While some conciliators are lawyers or retired judges, many have a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, such as law. They facilitate communication between disputing parties, clarify issues, conduct initial meetings, and guide the parties toward a mutual agreement. Conciliators may also prepare settlement agreements and apply relevant laws, regulations, and precedents to reach conclusions.
HR Manager
Human Resource (HR) managers are essential in almost every company or organization, handling tasks such as recruiting, interviewing, payroll, and resolving staffing issues. They act as a link between management and employees, maintaining the organizational culture and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations. An MS in Human Resource Management provides the knowledge and skills needed to become effective HR leaders, covering topics like employee motivation, talent acquisition, change management, and compliance with federal and state laws.
Overall, an MS in Law provides a strong foundation for careers in law librarianship, conflict resolution, and human resource management, offering graduates diverse career paths to explore and contribute their legal expertise.
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Frequently asked questions
A Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is a master's degree offered by some law schools to students who wish to study the law but do not want to become lawyers. MSL programs typically last one academic year and put students through a similar regimen as first-year Juris Doctor students but may allow for further specialization.
A Master of Studies in Law can help you pursue a wide range of law-related career options in the civilian world or in the military. Some career paths you can explore include:
- Human resources manager
- Compliance director
- Business analyst supervisor
- Conciliator
- Law librarian
The salary outlook for Master of Studies in Law graduates can vary depending on the specific job and industry. For example, the median annual wage for conciliators in 2020 was $66,130, while the median annual salary for librarians in the same year was $60,820.
Obtaining a Master of Studies in Law can be worth it if you are looking to advance your career or transition to a law-related profession. The degree can provide you with a deeper understanding of the law and its impact on your industry, which can be valuable for career advancement. It can also be a good option if you are interested in law school but are not sure if you want to commit to becoming a practicing lawyer.
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