Masters student working on laptop in ASU Law library.

Master of Legal Studies

Advance your career with skills to become a legal paraprofessional in Arizona

Earn a graduate degree in legal paraprofessional studies through flexible, top-ranked learning 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, 2019-2023

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

ASU Law offers an advanced Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree program with an Arizona Legal Paraprofessional emphasis, designed to address the need for legal services in Arizona’s underserved areas. Through this program, students gain the skills necessary to become licensed legal paraprofessionals (LPs), allowing them to provide limited legal services in areas including criminal law, family law, juvenile law, civil law and administrative law.

With a comprehensive program that meets Arizona’s LP eligibility requirements, ASU Law offers preparatory courses to support licensure. The MLS degree is a strong fit for paralegals seeking to expand their practice, and study at ASU also provides a concurrent opportunity to earn a degree in conflict resolution for additional career growth in mediation and alternative dispute resolution.

Apply now

Explore degree options

Request information

Quick facts

Summer start date: May 19, 2025
Fall start date: August 21, 2025

Total classes: 10
Total credit hours: 30

Online and on campus
No application fee or entrance exam required

Why ASU Law?

As Arizona’s highest-ranked law school, ASU Law has a proven record of preparing students for impactful roles across the legal sector. Led by experts in Arizona law, the Legal Paraprofessional emphasis is structured to ensure that students gain the knowledge and skills needed to become licensed LPs. With options for real-world application through clinics and externships, students can practice what they learn in legal settings, particularly supporting communities lacking legal resources.

#15

U.S. public law school

– U.S. News and World Report, 2025

94% graduate employment

or advanced studies rate within 10 months

– 2024 ABA report

7:1

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

#1

ASU worldwide rank for education, employability, faculty and research

– Center for World University Rankings, 2024

Request MLS information

MLS Emphasis Areas

Start Term

First Name

Last Name

Mobile

Phone number must be 10 digits only, no spaces or special characters.

Cancel

By completing and submitting your information to ASU, you consent to:

1. ASU using this information to contact you regarding information as you request.
2. The terms of ASU's Privacy Statement.
3. If you are in the European Union or another country or state that has adopted GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) or similar privacy protection, please also read ASU European Supplement to ASU's Privacy Statement.
4. By providing your mobile phone number, you agree to receive text messages from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel.

Degree emphasis areas for your career

As a student of ASU Law, you have the opportunity to customize your degree to your area of interest and career goals.

Online On-campus

Arizona Legal Paraprofessional

Online On-campus

Conflict Resolution

Hear from our students

Lucas Woyton

Master of Legal Studies alum, 2023

“As I counted my pennies and gathered my life savings to pay a lawyer’s retainer, I was terrified not only that I could lose it all, but that I would lose my family too. Unfortunately, there are other Arizonans who are placed in this position every day. They need someone they can not only trust but afford. As an LP, I can charge less than an attorney and lean on my life experiences to deliver the same quality or better representation.”

Degree requirements

To be admitted to the Master of Legal Studies program, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States or hold a comparable degree from a foreign institution. Graduate school entrance exams (e.g., LSAT, GRE, GMAT) are not required.

On campus and international students

Many of the MLS program’s core courses are available online. On-campus students will complement their on-campus learning experience with electives and core courses taken online. Visit our MLS admissions webpage for more information on applying as an international students.

Sample coursework

Students in the Legal Paraprofessional program begin with essential MLS courses before focusing on courses tailored for limited practice areas, including professional ethics, legal writing, and research. Depending on their chosen track, students will select classes from a large catalog of courses including, but not limited to:

Criminal Law (Criminal track)
Family and Civil Law (Family and Civil track)
Administrative Law (Administrative track)

On This Page: