What Can You Do with a Master’s in Legal Studies?

A Master of Studies in Law (MSL), also known as a master’s in legal studies, is a smart first step toward a range of successful career options. This two-year degree program can set you up for a legal-adjacent job in nonprofits, corporations, or government.

Are you wondering if pursuing an MSL is worth it? Let’s break down what you can do with a master’s degree in legal studies, plus how this program stands out from other legal degrees.

What Is an MSL?

First, it’s important to understand that an MSL is not the same as a Juris Doctor (JD). A JD allows you to work as a lawyer, while an MSL qualifies you to work with lawyers. You do not need to take the GRE or LSAT to enter an MSL program.

What skills do you gain with an MSL? The curriculum covers core legal concepts and practical job skills. Your courses will cover the following:

• Ethics
• Contract law
• Regulatory law
• Legal reading and writing
• Critical thinking
• Real-life insights into legal proceedings

Jobs and Career Paths

Legal studies careers are extremely diverse. Businesses in every industry must comply with the law, so legal specialists are needed everywhere. Here are a few of the most popular job fields for MSL graduates.

Corporate Compliance and Risk Management

An MSL specializing in corporate compliance can lead to a high-salaried role in a major corporation. These roles include senior compliance officers, compliance managers, and senior business analysts, to name a few.

Corporate compliance officials help corporations navigate complex regulations to ensure their hiring, production, and marketing practices comply with the law. Similarly, positions in risk management involve analyzing and avoiding risky legal scenarios, saving the company from potentially expensive lawsuits.

Corporate compliance is a reliable field, with a ten-year growth outlook of 5% and an average salary of $78,420, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.¹

Government Agencies and Public Service

Many MSL graduates go on to work in the public sector. As a human resources specialist, you could work for your city or state government or a government agency. Health care compliance specialists may work in public health, ensuring people in their communities have access to the care they need.

An MSL can also lead you to some of the highest-paying jobs in the federal government, such as a consumer safety officer for an agency like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Federal Trade Commission (FTC).²

Legal Support

If you’re interested in working on legal cases but don’t want to become a lawyer, consider a legal support role. These positions include legal analyst, legal assistant, paralegal, and paralegal supervisor. You’ll use your understanding of the law to support lawyers and legal offices.

This is a great way to get involved with public defense, corporate law, or even international business law.

Nonprofit and Advocacy

MSL graduates can also use their knowledge of compliance, ethics, and international law to fill roles in the nonprofit sector. There are nearly 2 million nonprofit organizations currently operating in the US, and they provide a wide range of services, from adoption support to political advocacy and beyond.³

Legal studies jobs in the nonprofit sector may look similar to those in the corporate sector: overseeing compliance, analyzing risk, supporting legal professionals, ensuring fair hiring practices, and so on. A nonprofit job can be a great option for any MSL graduate who doesn’t want to take the corporate route.

Why Pursue an MSL?

Regardless of your career path, a master’s in legal studies can give you a huge advantage as you enter the workforce. MSL graduates have the skills and insights to take on advanced roles right off the bat. This degree also equips you to fill an ever-increasing need for compliance and regulations experts.

Here are a few key reasons why an MSL degree program might be right for you.

Rising Industry Demand

We live in a rapidly changing world. Digital connectivity, sustainability, and supply chain challenges are all driving a growing demand for compliance and regulatory professionals. In fact, as many as 41% of corporate directors admit that they need a better understanding of the global regulatory environment.⁴

That means this is a great time to join the corporate or nonprofit sector as a compliance expert. An MSL degree will provide you with the skills you need to navigate the increasingly complex regulatory demands of any modern industry.

Professional Advantage

Having a master’s degree gives you an edge over other applicants in the workforce. On average, those with a master's degree earn around 16% more than those with a bachelor's degree.⁵

This is just as true for an MSL as it is for other degree programs—MSL graduates are able to take on broader responsibilities and advance into leadership roles faster than those without an advanced education. The average Master of Legal Studies salary is around $77,000, with plenty of opportunity for growth.⁶

Differences From Other Legal Degrees

If you’re interested in the law, an MSL isn’t your only choice. You could also pursue a JD to become a lawyer or a Master of Laws degree (LLM) to advance your legal career, if you already hold a JD.

What sets the MSL program apart from other legal degrees is its convenience and affordability. You might want to choose an MSL if you’re looking for a more affordable degree program that can be completed within two years. Many programs, such as the University of Pittsburgh's MSL degree, are fully online, so you can continue to work while you study.

Tips for MSL Success

Gaining an MSL will give you a professional advantage, but you can boost that advantage with these tips:

• Network: Start building your professional network while you earn your degree by connecting with faculty, other students, and alumni
• Balance priorities: An MSL is an investment in your career. If you’re working while you study, consider finding a job that offers some flexibility so you can prioritize your coursework
• Use your resources: Take advantage of all the in-person and digital resources your degree program offers, such as online appointments and counseling

Choosing the Right MSL Program

If you think a master’s in legal studies is the right path for you, it’s time to choose the best program. Look for degree programs that fit your career goals, whether that’s a certain specialty or the option to study online.

Pitt Law’s Online MSL program offers highly credentialed faculty, low tuition, small class sizes, and flexible courses to set you up for success in any sector. Whatever you want to accomplish with your MSL, Pitt Law will help you get there. Contact an admissions outreach advisor to get started.