ASU Law offers many MLS emphasis areas and the MHREL degree fully online. Learn from the same highly-credentialed faculty and coursework from anywhere and on your own time.
Next start date: May 18, 2026
Degree programs: Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Human Resources and Employment Law (MHREL)
The Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is one of the country's preeminent law schools with a wide array of emphases and unique experiences. Our master's level programs are for individuals who want to expand their knowledge of the U.S. legal system and business environment – without becoming a lawyer.
No prior legal training is needed, and our world-class faculty provides students with unparalleled opportunities to gain insights and necessary practical skills to address legal challenges on a global scale. Earning your degree with ASU Law online provides you with the flexibility to meet you where you are in your life and career.
Explore our online master’s in law programs designed for professionals seeking legal fluency without becoming attorneys. The MLS online program offers 15+ emphases including business, health care, and construction law. The MHREL program aligns with SHRM standards to prepare you for HR legal leadership roles.
ASU Law is a highly ranked and respected public law school dedicated to educating the next generation of legal professionals. In honor of its namesake, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, public service is at its core, and is committed to advancing justice in the communities it serves. Learning from some of the nation’s foremost scholars and innovative legal instructors, ASU Law graduates are educated to become skilled and compassionate advocates and difference-makers.
– U.S. News and World Report, 2026
– Center for World University Rankings, 2024
Small class sizes and accessible faculty enhance classroom discussions and encourage the sharing of diverse perspectives.
As a student of ASU Law, you have the opportunity to customize your degree to your area of interest. Take advantage of popular emphases listed below to fit your interests and career goals. Learn master legal principles in a variety of fields and be well-prepared to thrive within an evolving legal landscape across a variety of industries.
“I chose ASU Law because it was the only program that combined a rigorous learning environment with the flexibility to continue in my high school teaching position. As an educator, I strive to foster a deep intellectual curiosity within my students, which often necessitates a rigorous learning environment. My end goal is always to inspire a passion for the material while simultaneously equipping students with the skills they need to evaluate the world around them critically. ASU Law not only increased my passion for the area of law but equipped me with those same evaluative skills, enabling me to educate while being educated.”
Aside from learning on your own time, working with the flexibility of your schedule and responsibilities, our students learn with some of the top-ranked experts in their fields. With our flexible start dates across fall, spring and summer semesters, full-time and part-time options, fast application process and no entrance exam required, we meet you where you are in your career and life.
Applicable to nearly all career paths, ranging from Corporate and Healthcare Compliance, Criminal Law, Business Law and everything in between, you will gain a competitive edge in your career to add value to your place of employment.
ASU Law is a top-ranked law school in the U.S. and our master's level degree programs are ideal for anyone in the world looking to learn about the country's legal and business systems. No prior legal training is necessary for applicants interested in learning the law.
Driven by institutional expertise, ASU Law’s Areas of Expertise are specialized pathways allowing students from each of our degree programs to explore specialty areas led by world-class faculty, combining academic rigor with practical experience. Each area highlights a unique blend of coursework, hands-on experiential opportunities and career prospects, guiding students to tailor their legal education toward their passions and professional goals.
Legal master's graduates go on to start their own companies, move up in their existing careers or find a passion for the law. In every case, knowledge of the legal field enhances their professional life and shapes their way of thinking.
Career Services at ASU Law can help students identify goals, find employment opportunities and help students pursue their passions. The Career Services team offers hands-on interview preparation, resume reviews and the guidance job seekers need as they enter the workforce. That resource is available to students the moment they start their ASU Law journey and lasts long after graduation.
Wondering how much law school costs? ASU Law’s online master’s programs are competitively priced, offering outstanding value for a top-tier legal education. The law school tuition for our online programs varies by degree and enrollment status.
ASU Law offers law school scholarships and financial aid to eligible students, helping to make graduate education more accessible. Explore scholarship opportunities and speak with an advisor to understand your options.
Generally speaking, most jurisdictions require a three-year Juris Doctor (JD) degree and passage of a state bar exam for eligibility to practice law in the United States. Graduates of the online MLS or MHREL will be well-equipped to navigate the legal issues in their chosen career fields, but will not be eligible to practice law.
There have been online MLS or MHREL graduates who decided they wanted to practice law and went on to pursue a JD degree. Unfortunately, there are many requirements in place to gain entry into a JD program that are different from the requirements to get into our master’s programs – e.g., LSAT scores, ABA restrictions, etc. For these reasons, online MLS or MHREL credits will not be accepted for transfer if and when you decide to pursue a Juris Doctor program. If you wish to discuss both options, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected].
Credits earned through an online MLS or MHREL program cannot be transferred to a Juris Doctor (JD) program. Only JD credits can be transferred to a JD program.
Online master’s students should refer to the ASU Academic Calendar for their official start dates. Once you are registered, you can also view the start and end dates of your classes under My Classes in MyASU.
On-campus master’s students should refer to the ASU Law Academic Calendar for their official start dates. ASU Law’s fall semester schedule does not align with the ASU Academic Calendar. Once you are registered, you can also view the start and end dates of your classes under My Classes in MyASU.
Online master’s students should refer to the ASU Academic Calendar for registration dates. On-campus students should refer to the ASU Law Academic Calendar. The academic advising team will contact students when the class schedule and registration dates become available.
Students may pursue another degree or certificate program concurrently with the online MLS or MHREL. The College of Law allows students to share up to six credit hours towards another degree program. Interested students should speak with the College of Law’s director of academic advising, Annie Stone, for more information at [email protected].
All program modality changes must be approved by the College of Law. If approved, changes are granted on a one-time basis.
All program modality changes must be approved by the College of Law. If approved, changes are granted on a one-time basis.
You can explore full application details on the MLS admissions page and MHREL admissions page.
To be admitted to the online MLS or MHREL program, an applicant must have both:
Selection will be based on a variety of factors, including academic background and potential, diversity of experience and background, career experience and ambitions, space and resource limitations in the law school, and any other factors.
International educated applicants must submit a Full Application, meet University and College English Proficiency requirements, and have their transcripts evaluated by an ASU-approved transcript evaluation service. Explore more information about how foreign-educated applicants can apply.
Graduate entrance exams are not required for admission.
The majority of applicants apply through the Fast App for its convenience and simplicity. The Full App is recommended for applicants who would like to provide a more comprehensive graduate application to the Admissions Committee. The Full App requires a personal statement, along with other materials. The personal statement is an opportunity for the applicant to highlight their professional and academic achievements, career goals, and address any challenges they have overcome. The choice between Fast App and Full App depends on how thoroughly you wish to represent your experiences and qualifications.
International educated applicants must submit a Full Application, meet University and College English Proficiency requirements, and have their transcripts evaluated by an ASU-approved transcript evaluation service. Explore more information about how foreign-educated applicants can apply.
Applicants may submit only one application per semester.
The statement written by you should be no longer than 1250 words on double-spaced, typed pages. Your statement should include information about your distinctive qualities, talents, successes, achievements, interests and life experiences as well as an explanation of your professional aspirations as they relate to the program.
Explore how to write a strong personal statement for law school.
A community college transcript is only required if the college awarded a bachelor's degree or if transfer credits are not reflected on the transcript from the institution that conferred the bachelor's degree.
An undergraduate transcript that includes the degree awarded and the conferral date is required for application review. If you are currently completing your degree, we can accept an in-progress transcript, but it must show the courses in which you are currently enrolled.
Yes, if applicable to you, please include all graduate transcripts where credit was earned.
Yes, if applicable to you, please include your JD transcripts where academic credit was earned.
Please request that your official transcripts be sent directly from your institution to [email protected] or [email protected]. Official transcripts must be sent by the institution – not by the student – or they will be considered unofficial. The transcript must include your degree information and graduation date.
You can request your official transcript to be mailed to Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at 111 E. Taylor Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Official transcripts must be sealed in the original envelope provided by the issuing institution.
We do not offer an application status checker. The general timeline for an applicant to receive an update from the college is 1-2 weeks. If your application falls over this period, you can email us at [email protected] or [email protected] for further information.
You will receive follow-up emails within 1-3 days of accepting your offer of admission. These emails will include the information you will need to register for classes and your academic advisor’s contact information.
Students may defer their admission to a future term, up to one year from their original start date. To begin the deferral process, please submit the deferral form.
The cost of this program can be found on the tuition and fees page. For more information about the program and tuition fees, please reach out to Eric Border at [email protected].