WashULaw offers an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program and an online MLS in Taxation program.
Professionals who want to gain the legal training they need to advance their careers and help organizations make informed decisions can earn an MLS degree from a top-20 ranked law school while continuing to work. A Juris Doctorate is not required for these programs.
The online MLS in Taxation program prepares students to leverage their new legal knowledge and tax expertise on the job and advance within their organizations and industries. Upon graduation, students will be equipped to succeed in many fields, including legal, finance, business, and government.
Curriculum
Designed by WashULaw’s distinguished faculty, the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) curriculum equips non-lawyers with a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. legal system. Classes are taught using the Socratic method, so students are encouraged to engage in dialogue and think critically about the topics presented.
Students will enroll in courses that are designed and led by the same faculty who teach on campus, attend live online class sessions with peers, and have opportunities to engage in in-person learning experiences hosted on campus in St. Louis, Missouri.
Program Requirements
The MLS program is a 24-credit program and can be completed in as little as a year and a half. All MLS students will complete two required courses and then select from a variety of elective courses to customize their learning experience based on their professional and academic goals.
Concentrations
As a student in the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, you can choose from five concentrations that allow you to specialize in a particular area of law: business law, conflict resolution, litigation, regulatory compliance, or employment law. Building on the foundational knowledge you gain from our programs, specializing in one of these areas of law will help increase your credibility and make you more marketable in your field.
Career Paths
The MLS program is designed to equip students across an array of industries with the skills they need to advance. Because of the flexibility of this degree, there are many different areas our students consider upon graduation, including:
- Business and Finance
- Health Care
- Social Work
- Dispute Resolution/mediation
- Human Resources
- Law Enforcement
- Nonprofit or advocacy work
- Tax Consultant
- CPA
- Tax specialist government contractor