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Career Paths with a Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

Designed for nonlawyers, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program prepares students across a wide range of fields to gain the legal expertise and competitive edge they need to pursue careers related to law. Through the MLS program, students will gain a deeper understanding of topics that are crucial to legal careers—including contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, constitutional law, and intellectual property—enhancing their legal skills and ability to perform duties at work.

How Does a Master of Legal Studies Degree Advance Your Career?

An MLS degree advances your career by providing the legal expertise and credibility needed to manage regulatory compliance, negotiate contracts, and navigate legal issues in business. It is designed for nonlawyers and opens paths to senior roles in compliance, human resources, and corporate management.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in legal occupations is projected to grow by 83,800 openings each year from 2024 to 2034. These roles are predicted to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.

The employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow by 39,300 positions per annum between 2024 and 2034.

How an MLS Prepares You for Specific Career Paths

An MLS provides the expertise and credibility to succeed in many fields. Here is a breakdown of how the degree applies to specific, high-demand roles:

 

Business

Understanding the law is crucial for making effective and informed business decisions. Through the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, you will gain expertise in topics including corporate and legal regulation, contract negotiation, and conflict management, helping you apply legal skills across a variety of industries and contribute to the overall success of your organization.

Career paths in business that you can pursue with our Master of Legal Studies degree include:

Corporate Executives

Corporate executives make high-level decisions and long-term plans for the future of their company. An MLS provides corporate executives with the legal acumen to make high-stakes business decisions confidently. An MLS helps you gain a deeper understanding of contract negotiation, corporate governance, and intellectual property, which help you more effectively assess risk, lead strategic initiatives, and ensure your company’s operations are legally sound, all without being a lawyer.

Compliance Officers

Compliance officers are responsible for ensuring that rules, regulations, and company policies are being followed. An MLS degree directly prepares you for a career in compliance by providing expert-level training in regulatory law, risk management, and corporate governance. You will learn how to design and implement compliance programs, conduct internal audits, and navigate the complex legal landscape that companies face today.

Consultants

Providing clients with practical advice on strategy, planning, and problem-solving, consultants help businesses across a wide range of industries. With an MLS, you will improve your ability to provide legal recommendations on a variety of topics, including intellectual property, contracts, and torts.

Accountants and Auditors

As financial laws and regulations are subject to rapid change, it is crucial for businesses to have accountants and auditors that possess substantial legal knowledge. An MLS will provide you with the legal skills needed to create and revise new financial reports, navigate new financial legislation, and analyze tax law to ensure your business runs efficiently.

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs start new businesses and ventures in a variety of fields, often at their own financial risk. You will gain expertise on a multitude of legal topics—such as intellectual property, business organization, and contract negotiation—preparing you for the diverse legal challenges that arise when funding and running your own business in today’s economy.

Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents arrange the renting or selling of houses, offices, or land and help clients understand the complex legal procedures involved. With an MLS, you will enhance your ability to draft legally sound contracts, understand property tax law, and effectively communicate legal procedures to your clients.

Relevant Courses

  • Administrative Law and Regulatory Compliance
  • Law of Business Organizations
  • Conflict Management in Corporations and Organizations
  • Contracts
  • Employment Law
  • Intellectual Property
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice

Dispute Resolution

Professionals with expertise in dispute resolution can apply negotiation, mediation, and arbitration skills in a variety of settings to manage conflict and find solutions that work for both parties. Through the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program and optional concentration in dispute resolution, you will learn the skills needed to solve difficult situations and negotiate for better outcomes.

Industries and fields in dispute resolution that you can pursue with our Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree include:

Corporate and Organizational Conflict Management

Understanding the techniques corporations and organizations use when managing lawsuits, corporate mergers and acquisitions, and employee conflicts is critical for dispute resolution professionals. Preventing, managing, and resolving issues on a corporate scale requires an in-depth understanding of dispute resolution. An MLS with a concentration in dispute resolution will provide you with the expertise you need to effectively mediate for large organizations and manage the impact that disputes have on your company.

International Dispute Resolution

Understanding the cultural differences and legal systems between parties is a key component of any successful international negotiation. With an MLS with a concentration in dispute resolution, you will deepen your understanding of international mediation through courses such as Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution, Mediation Theory and Practice, and Arbitration Theory and Practice.

Labor Dispute Resolution

Representatives for labor unions participate in lengthy negotiations and research employment laws of their specific industry. Through courses such as Contracts and Negotiation Theory and Practice, you will be able to better communicate and work toward the interests of the union you represent.

Relevant Courses

  • Civil Procedure and Litigation
  • Conflict Management in Corporations and Organizations
  • Constitutional Law (Structure and Rights)
  • Contracts
  • Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution
  • Legal Research and Writing for Non-Lawyers
  • Mediation Theory and Practice
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice
  • Arbitration Theory and Practice

Education

Administrators and teachers need to possess a solid understanding of the law to keep up with shifts in legislation and changes in curriculum. Through the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, you will gain expertise in topics such as education law, regulatory compliance, and administrative law. By developing your legal understanding of these topics, you will be better equipped to communicate with fellow educators, ensure students with disabilities are properly educated, and understand the academic impact of new curricula.

Career paths in education that you can pursue with our Master of Legal Studies degree include:

Administrators

Administrators manage schools, universities, and academic institutions, making sure they run efficiently. An MLS will provide you with the legal skills you need to make better decisions for your academic community, whether you are hiring and supervising staff, managing department budgets, advocating for students, or implementing new curricula. Courses such as Education Law, Employment Law, and Contracts will be particularly beneficial when overseeing your academic institution.

Principal

Principals are the primary leaders in a school. They provide strategic direction, develop standardized curricula, administer a budget, handle emerging issues, and speak with the public about school performance. An MLS program features courses such as Education Law, Employment Law, and Contracts, which can provide principals with the legal background needed to better evaluate staff, make public statements, and revise policies and procedures.

Superintendent

Superintendents serve as the point person for all school district matters. They oversee operations, supervise principals and district staff, lobby for additional resources, manage fiscal operations, and work closely with the Department of Education. An MLS empowers superintendents with the negotiation skills and legal knowledge needed to lobby for more funding, work with legislators and taxpayers, and make district-wide decisions that are compliant with state law.

Teachers

Teachers need to thoroughly understand the topics they are presenting to effectively communicate with their students. With an MLS, you will bring more advanced legal concepts into your classroom when educating students on topics such as civil rights, intellectual property, and the US legal system. In addition, if you earn a Master of Legal Studies, you can teach at the collegiate level.

Relevant Courses

  • Administrative Law and Regulatory Compliance
  • Contracts
  • Education Law
  • Employment Law
  • Legal Research and Writing for Non-Lawyers
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice

Entertainment Industry

Entertainment industry professionals serve clients from a wide range of professions, including actors, musicians, and athletes. Legal professionals working in this industry are required to understand matters of licensing, intellectual property, and employment law. The online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program will provide you with the legal skills you need to successfully serve clients in all areas of the entertainment industry.

Understanding how various legal processes impact your clients is critical to serving their best interests. An MLS will deepen your understanding of contracts and negotiations so you can more effectively navigate the entertainment industry, whether you are drawing up contracts, reviewing sponsorship agreements, or negotiating salaries.

Relevant Courses

  • Contracts
  • Intellectual Property
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice

Government & Public Policy

Professionals in the government sector—such as legislative personnel, lobbyists, and government officers—must have a comprehensive understanding of the US legal system to effectively impact public policy. A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree will provide you with the legal skills to effectively participate in the political process. You will gain the skills required to analyze and propose legislation, mediate between parties, and lobby congress.

Career paths in government and public policy that you can pursue with our Master of Legal Studies degree include:

Legislative Personnel, Assistants, and Aides

Legislative personnel, assistants, and aides require a fundamental understanding of the US legal system to be effective at their job. An MLS will prepare you with the legal skills you need to successfully shape public policy, whether you are advising politicians, drafting legal documents, or researching new legislation.

Lobbyists

Lobbyists are professionals who work on behalf of their clients to influence legislation and decisions made by governmental officials. A lobbyist’s job is to understand, interpret, and influence the law-making process, making an MLS invaluable. The degree provides expert-level knowledge of legislative procedure, regulatory processes, and constitutional law. This allows you to effectively analyze proposed legislation, craft persuasive legal arguments, and advocate for your client’s interests while ensuring full compliance with complex lobbying and ethics laws. Courses in the online MLS program—such as Negotiation Theory and Practice, Contracts, and Constitutional Law—will develop your understanding of the legal processes behind the legislations that interest your clients. The legal skills gained from an MLS will improve your ability to negotiate new legislation and educate government officials on important issues.

Politicians

To effectively draft legislation, implement policies, and propose new laws, politicians need a deep understanding of the US legal system. With an MLS degree, you will further your expertise in various legal topics—including health law, employment law, and constitutional law—allowing you to make more informed legislative decisions for those you represent.

Congressional Staffers

Congressional staffers aid members of Congress by performing duties such as conducting legislative research, writing press releases, and speaking to the media. With enhanced legal research and legal writing skills gained through an MLS, you will make better decisions and more effectively communicate with members of Congress.

Government Relations Officers

Government relations officers analyze large amounts of information regarding legislation and government funding to aid their client’s lobbying efforts. With an MLS degree, you will further your knowledge of topics such as legal research, legal writing, and contract negotiation. With a deeper understanding of legal processes, you will more accurately draft summaries of bills and research legislation for your clients.

Relevant Courses

  • Administrative Law and Regulatory Compliance
  • Civil Procedure and Litigation
  • Constitutional Law (Structure and Rights)
  • Contracts
  • Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution
  • Employment Law
  • Health Law
  • Law in Practice
  • Law, the Legal System, and Society
  • Legal Research and Writing for Non-Lawyers
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice

Healthcare

It is important for healthcare professionals to possess a fundamental understanding of the law when administering care to patients. Whether you are navigating the legal matters of patient contracts, disability law, or government policies, a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree will enhance your legal skills, so you can ensure that ethical and efficient care is provided.

Career paths in the healthcare field that you can pursue with our Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree include:

Healthcare Administrators

Healthcare administrators are responsible for the overall management and oversight of healthcare organizations such as hospitals, outpatient facilities, and doctor’s offices. With an MLS, you will gain a deeper understanding of health law and regulatory compliance. With this legal expertise, you will ensure your organization is compliant with healthcare regulations and that the care you are providing is ethical and high-quality.

Legal Nurse Consultants

Legal nurse consultants provide expert medical advice in legal proceedings regarding personal injury, product liability, and medical malpractice. To provide sound advice and make appropriate recommendations to those involved in legal actions, you need a solid foundation in healthcare law. An MLS will provide you with the legal skills needed to draft or analyze medical portions of legal documents and educate attorneys on relevant medical issues.

Patient Advocates

Patient advocates have to thoroughly understand the legal rights of their patients to help them navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. By gaining a deeper understanding of health law and contract negotiations, you will be better equipped to guide your patients through the healthcare system and negotiate with insurance companies on their behalf. An MLS will help you gain a deeper understanding of these legal topics.

Relevant Courses

  • Arbitration Practice and Advocacy
  • Administrative Law and Regulatory Compliance
  • Civil Procedure and Litigation
  • Constitutional Law (Structure and Rights)
  • Contracts
  • Employment Law
  • Health Law
  • Legal Research and Writing for Non-Lawyers
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice

Human Resources (HR)

For human resource professionals, a solid understanding of the legal system and employment law is critical. Through the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program and optional concentration in human resources, you will gain a background in law so that you can better serve your company and its employees, whether you are ensuring compliance with workplace policies, researching wage and salary laws, or implementing affirmative action programs.

An MLS allows human resource professionals to understand the laws that affect compliance. When you choose a concentration in human resources, you will take courses like Employment Law and Contracts, strengthening your ability to accomplish HR duties including hiring and termination, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, and salary negotiation.

Human Resources Manager

For human resource managers, an MLS provides critical expertise in employment law, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance. This legal background empowers you to handle complex employee relations issues, develop and enforce company policies, ensure compliance with labor laws, and mitigate legal risks related to hiring, termination, and workplace conduct.

Relevant Courses

  • Administrative Law and Regulatory Compliance
  • Law of Business Organizations
  • Conflict Management in Corporations and Organizations
  • Contracts
  • Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution
  • Employment Law
  • Legal Research and Writing for Non-Lawyers
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice
  • Psychology of Conflict Communication

Intellectual Property

Companies seeking to solve issues and protect ideas involving trademark law, patent law, or copyright law can turn to intellectual property specialists and patent agents to meet their specific needs. Through the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, you will deepen your understanding of topics such as intellectual property and copyright law to more effectively communicate with your clients.

Career paths in intellectual property that you can pursue with our Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree include:

Intellectual Property Specialists

Intellectual property specialists are responsible for understanding each step of how an IP is granted, protected, and enforced. Our MLS program offers courses such as Intellectual Property and Contracts, where you will gain an understanding of the laws that affect copyright and trademark systems while developing your skills for drafting contracts and agreements.

Patent Agents

Acting as both a researcher and negotiator for their clients, patent agents are involved in all aspects of intellectual property law. An MLS degree will supplement your background of science and technology with the legal knowledge required to serve your clients, whether you are filing for patents, completing patent paperwork, or navigating intellectual property issues.

Relevant Courses

  • Contracts
  • Intellectual Property
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice

Law Enforcement

Police officers and other law enforcement professionals apply their legal knowledge in all aspects of their job, whether investigating crimes, writing reports at the precinct, or delivering testimony in court. A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree will allow you to preserve the rights of suspects while protecting your community.

Career paths in law enforcement that you can pursue with our Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree include:

Police Officers, Sergeants, Law Enforcement Leaders

In today’s society, police officers and sergeants are expected to be more vigilant than ever in protecting the rights of their community. For law enforcement professionals, an MLS provides the advanced knowledge of constitutional law, criminal procedure, and administrative law needed for effective leadership. This expertise is necessary for developing departmental policy, managing internal affairs and compliance, making lawful command-level decisions, and understanding the legal framework that governs modern policing.

Detectives and Private Investigators

As a detective or private investigator, you can more effectively analyze legal records and prepare cases for prosecution when you have a strong legal foundation. An MLS degree will enhance your ability to work with lawyers and law enforcement through courses like Torts, Criminal Law and Procedure, and Civil Procedure and Litigation.

Relevant Courses

  • Civil Procedure and Litigation
  • Constitutional Law (Structure and Rights)
  • Criminal Law and Procedure
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice
  • Torts
  • Arbitration Theory and Practice

Legal Field

When working in the legal field, whether in the public or private sector, it is important to possess a fundamental understanding of the law so that you can effectively communicate with clients and lawyers. Through the online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program, you will improve your knowledge of legal topics—including constitutional law, administrative law, and civil procedure—strengthening your ability to conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and assist lawyers.

Career paths in the legal field that you can pursue with our Master of Legal Studies degree include:

Paralegals

Paralegals assist lawyers by conducting research, drafting legal documents, and writing and processing formal statements for court cases. An MLS is extremely useful for paralegals seeking senior-level or specialized roles. While a certificate teaches procedural tasks, an MLS provides a deep, graduate-level understanding of complex legal subjects like constitutional law or regulatory frameworks. This prepares you for leadership positions within a corporate legal department or a law firm, handling complex cases and managing other paralegals.

Legal Assistants

Legal assistants perform a variety of tasks, such as drafting correspondences, proofreading legal documents, and preparing materials for court cases. An MLS degree provides a significant competitive advantage for legal assistants by offering a master’s-level understanding of legal theory and procedure. This advanced knowledge allows you to take on more substantive responsibilities beyond administrative tasks. This may include conducting complex legal research, drafting sophisticated legal documents, and providing higher-level support in specialized legal areas.

Legal Journalists

Legal journalists specialize in researching and reporting on court cases and new legislation. With an MLS, you will gain a deeper understanding of the law and legal proceedings, furthering your ability to effectively communicate complex legal issues to the public.

Relevant Courses

  • Arbitration Theory and Practice
  • Civil Procedure and Litigation
  • Constitutional Law (Structure and Rights)
  • Contracts
  • Employment Law
  • Health Law
  • Intellectual Property
  • Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Systems
  • Law in Practice
  • Law, the Legal System, and Society
  • Legal Research and Writing for Non-Lawyers
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice
  • Property
  • Torts

Social Work or Nonprofit

Understanding the laws affecting the communities and clients you serve will aid you in upholding their rights. A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree will provide you with the legal skills you need to be a stronger advocate and strive for social justice.

Career paths in social work that you can pursue with our Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree include:

Social Workers

Social workers with an MLS are uniquely equipped to advocate for their clients by navigating the complex legal systems that impact them. This degree provides a strong foundation in public policy, administrative law, and family law. An MLS degree enables social workers to more effectively secure services for clients, advocate for policy changes, and manage nonprofit organizations that operate at the intersection of law and social justice.

Protective Services Officers

Protective services officers advocate for clients by helping them cope with problems and developing plans to improve their situation. An MLS will provide you with the legal skills you need to communicate with government agencies, insurance companies, and community outreach programs that can provide assistance to your clients. Through courses like Civil Procedure and Litigation and Arbitration Theory and Practice, you will strengthen your understanding of legal topics such as criminal justice and civil rights.

Public Welfare Administrators

Public welfare administrators serve their community by creating and implementing social service programs. An MLS degree will provide you with a better understanding of the legal processes behind those programs and what makes them effective. The legal skills gained from an MLS will enhance your ability to organize new programs, train social workers, and evaluate budgets.

Relevant Courses

  • Civil Procedure and Litigation
  • Constitutional Law (Structure and Rights)
  • Contracts
  • Legal Research and Writing for Non-Lawyers
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice
  • Arbitration Theory and Practice

Who Should Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree?

Professionals interested in earning an MLS should first consider the type of law careers for nonlawyers that they would like to enter or advance in. Developing strong legal skills in areas such as dispute resolution or compliance law can help nonlawyers make more informed business, policy, and research decisions across a wide range of industries.