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Master of Legal Studies

Advance your career with legal skills for non-lawyers

Earn a graduate degree in a variety of emphasis areas with flexible, top-ranked learning offered online or on campus.

#1 in the U.S. for legal master’s graduates

Ahead of Northwestern, Georgetown, USC and Texas A&M
– National Center for Education Statistics, 2019-2024

Join one of the best law programs anywhere, from anywhere.

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University offers advanced graduate degrees tailored for professionals seeking to advance their careers by gaining legal knowledge without becoming lawyers. Available online or on campus, the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) programs cover more than 20 areas of study, including corporate and health care compliance, criminal law, human resources and more.

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Quick facts

Next start date:

August 17, 2026

Total classes: 10
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 30

Online and on campus
No application fee or entrance exam required

Top 25%

of law schools in the U.S.

– U.S. News & World Report, 2027

#1

ASU worldwide rank for education, employability, faculty and research

– Center for World University Rankings, 2024

7:1

Student-to-faculty ratio for small class sizes and accessible faculty to enhance learning

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Why ASU Law?

Ranked the No. 1 law school in Arizona and one of the nation's top online legal master's degree programs by The Princeton Review, ASU Law is proven to train skilled leaders with legal education across industries. Many of the Master of Legal Studies emphases are accredited by or in alignment with affiliated professional organizations, including the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Compliance Certification Board (CCB). This accreditation provides ASU Law graduates the ability to enhance their employability with organizations and peers, while also strengthening the credibility of the compliance programs they develop, implement and maintain.

Four logos in order from left to right: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SSCE), Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA), and Compliance Certificate Board (CCB)

Focused curricula to advance your career and achieve your goals

As a student of ASU Law, you have the opportunity to customize your legal education to your area of interest and career goals. Explore our Master of Legal Studies and the 24 emphases we offer, our Master of Legal Studies in Health Care Compliance and Administration (MLS Health) or our Master of Human Resources and Employment Law (MHREL).

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