Legal Studies MLS
Degree Awarded: Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
Minimum Required Credits: 30.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 22.0203
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 23-1011
About the Program
As society becomes increasingly regulated, job candidates with advanced skills in legal and regulatory analysis, as well as regulatory compliance, have become highly appealing to many employers. Although many employers do not want to hire additional attorneys, they require employees with sophisticated and narrowly focused exposure to law and legal regulation.
The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program is a post-baccalaureate degree designed for individuals to develop and improve career-related skills through the study of the legal system, legal writing, law, regulation, and policy. Ideal candidates include individuals in other disciplines, professionals who would benefit from focused legal knowledge (such as those in the fields of health, college sports, education, human resources, finance, etc.), individuals seeking career changes, and those generally interested in the field of law. Upon completion of each degree program, graduates will understand how the law relates to and impacts their particular areas of interest although they will not be attorneys.
This program is offered fully online with no in-person or on-campus requirements.
Currently, the following concentrations are offered (optional):
- Criminal Law
- Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Compliance
- Entrepreneurship and Law
- Financial Regulatory Compliance
- Health Care Compliance
- Higher Education Compliance
- Human Resources Compliance
- NCAA Compliance
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Regulatory Compliance
- Special Education Law and Advocacy
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please contact the Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Admission Requirements
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
GPA of at least 3.0
If you don't meet this admission requirement you're still encouraged to apply and your file will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Required Documents:
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- One letter of recommendation (professional or academic) - Letter should speak to your performance and accomplishments, and attest to your ability to succeed within the program. The department may request a second letter of recommendation
- Essay of approximately 500 words - Can be a personal statement outlining personal and/or professional goals you hope to achieve through the program, or on another topic that showcases your writing skills
- Resume - Quality and quantity of professional experience will be evaluated.
- Standardized test score reports (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT) can be submitted but are not required.
- Additional requirements for international students - International students must have an earned Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or its equivalent. Admissions will be based on grades from prior institutions. No entry exam is required; however, those who have completed their first law degree program in a language other than English will be required to have a minimum score on the TOEFL or a comparable exam.
Degree Requirements
| Required Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| LSTU 5001 | Legal Foundations I | 3.0 |
| LSTU 5002 | Legal Foundations II | 3.0 |
| LSTU 5551 | Compliance Skills: Auditing, Investigation and Reporting | 3.0 |
| LSTU 5552 | Ethics and Professional Standards | 3.0 |
| LSTU 5554 | Risk Assessment and Management | 3.0 |
| MLS Capstone Requirement 1 | 3.0 | |
| Master of Legal Studies Compliance Capstone | ||
| or | ||
| Master of Legal Studies Capstone | ||
| Concentration/Electives 2 | ||
| Select one (1) of the following: | 12.0-18.0 | |
| Single Concentration Option- select one (1) concentration from the list below. Twelve (12) elective credits required for this option. | ||
| Double Concentration Option- select two (2) concentrations from the list below. Eighteen (18) elective credits required for this option. | ||
| Electives- select any four (4) graduate level [5000-6000] LSTU (Legal Studies) courses. | ||
| Total Credits | 30.0-36.0 | |
- 1
Students who are enrolled in a compliance concentration should complete LSTU 7102 and students who are enrolled in a non-compliance concentration or no concentration should complete LSTU 7104. Students who are double concentrators should consult with their advisor before enrolling in a capstone course.
- 2
Students may select up to two concentration areas. If a student selects two concentration areas, they will be required to complete the concentration specific electives from each concentration area (no open elective will be required). The Special Education Law and Advocacy concentration cannot be combined with any other concentration.
Criminal Law Concentration
| LSTU 6630 | Corrections Law | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6631 | Criminal Law | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6632 | Criminal Procedure: Investigations | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Compliance Concentration
| LSTU 6660 | Information Privacy Law | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6661 | The Law and Strategies Surrounding Cybersecurity | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6662 | European Union Data Privacy and Protection | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Entrepreneurship and Law Concentration
| Select three (3) courses from the list below: | 9.0 | |
| Entrepreneurship Practice and Mindset | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Entrepreneurship in Education | ||
| Pitch It! | ||
| Social and Sustainable Innovation | ||
| Learning from Failure | ||
| Innovation in Established Companies | ||
| Life After Launch | ||
| The Startup Way: How to Drive Innovation in Entrepreneurial Companies | ||
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Financial Regulatory Compliance Concentration
| Select three (3) courses from the list below: | 9.0 | |
| Foundations of Financial Regulation | ||
| Global Financial Crimes Compliance | ||
| Legal Regulation of Investment Advisers | ||
| Legal Regulation of Investment Companies | ||
| Broker-Dealer Regulation | ||
| Banking Law | ||
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Health Care Compliance Concentration
| LSTU 6600 | Health Care Rules and Regulations | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6601 | Health Care Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6602 | Patients and Privacy: HIPAA and Related Regulations | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Higher Education Compliance Concentration
| LSTU 6640 | Legal Landscape of Student Rights and Campus Safety | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6641 | Institutional Compliance: Aid and Accreditation | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6642 | Higher Education Institutions: Financial Rules and Regulations | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Human Resources Compliance Concentration
| LSTU 6620 | Human Resources Compliance: Legal Issues in Employee Hiring and Termination | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6621 | Human Resources Compliance: Managing the Employer-Employee Relationship | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6622 | Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration, and other Workplace Conflict Resolution Methods | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
NCAA Compliance Concentration
| LSTU 6610 | NCAA Governance I: Division I | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6611 | NCAA Governance II- Division II and III | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6612 | NCAA Infractions and Enforcement Processes | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Regulatory Compliance Concentration
| Select three (3) courses from the list below: | 9.0 | |
| Compliance Communications | ||
| Health Care Fraud: Regulation, Investigation, and Enforcement | ||
| Legal Issues for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare | ||
| Patients and Privacy: HIPAA and Related Regulations | ||
| Legal Regulation of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Research and Development | ||
| Legal Regulation of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Sales and Marketing Practices | ||
| Food and Drug Law | ||
| Information Privacy Law | ||
| The Law and Strategies Surrounding Cybersecurity | ||
| European Union Data Privacy and Protection | ||
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Special Education Law and Advocacy Concentration
| EDEX 5020 | Special Education Law, Policy, and Practice | 3.0 |
| EDEX 6110 | Special Education Advocacy | 3.0 |
| EDEX 6120 | Special Education Law, Advocacy and Collaborative Team Facilitation | 3.0 |
| EDEX 7100 | Special Education Law and Policy | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |