Legal Studies MLS
Major: Legal Studies
Degree Awarded: Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Total Credit Hours: 30.0
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.
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
*Note: This program is now being offered on the quarter schedule only. Please refer to the Legal Studies (MLS)- Quarter Calendar program.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the Online Master of Legal Studies website.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- GPA of at least 3.0
If you don't meet this 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
All students must complete the required core curriculum courses and additional electives or concentration courses, totaling 30.0 semester credits.
Within the program, the following optional concentrations are currently offered:
- Criminal Law
- Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Compliance
- Health Care Compliance
- Human Resources Compliance
- Financial Regulatory Compliance
- NCAA Compliance
- Higher Education Compliance
- Entrepreneurship and Law*
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Regulatory Compliance
*Note: The Entrepreneurship and Law concentration is not currently accepting applications.
Program Requirements
| Required Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| LSTU 500S | Introduction to the Legal System | 3.0 |
| LSTU 501S | Compliance Skills: Auditing, Investigation & Reporting | 3.0 |
| LSTU 502S | Ethics and Professional Standards | 3.0 |
| LSTU 503S | Legal Research and Analysis | 3.0 |
| LSTU 507S | Risk Assessment and Management | 3.0 |
| LSTU 540S | MLS Masters Capstone | 3.0-4.0 |
| Electives or Concentration | ||
| Complete LSTU, LAW electives or any combination of electives & concentrations | 11.0-12.0 | |
| Total Credits | 30.0 | |
| Health Care Compliance Concentration * | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| LSTU 504S | Health Care Rules and Regulations | 3.0 |
| LSTU 505S | Health Care Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management | 3.0 |
| LSTU 506S | Patients and Privacy: HIPAA and Related Regulations | 3.0 |
| LSTU or LAW Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
- *
Students completing this concentration will be manually enrolled in the LSTU 540S MLS Capstone course section that is focused on compliance.
| NCAA Compliance and Sports Law Concentration * | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| LSTU 510S | NCAA Governance Process | 3.0 |
| LSTU 511S | NCAA Rules I and Infractions Cases | 3.0 |
| LSTU 512S | NCAA Rules II and Enforcement Process | 3.0 |
| LSTU or LAW Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
- *
Students completing this concentration will be manually enrolled in the LSTU 540S MLS Capstone course section that is focused on compliance.
| Human Resources Compliance Concentration * | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| LSTU 520S | Legal Issues in Employee Hiring and Termination | 3.0 |
| LSTU 521S | Human Resources Compliance: Managing the Employer/Employee Relationship | 3.0 |
| LSTU 522S | Human Resources in Practice: Negotiation, Mediation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution | 3.0 |
| LSTU or LAW Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
- *
Students completing this concentration will be manually enrolled in the LSTU 540S MLS Capstone course section that is focused on compliance.
| Criminal Law Concentration * | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| LAW 558S | Criminal Law | 3.0 |
| LAW 670S | Criminal Procedure: Investigations | 3.0 |
| LSTU 530S | Corrections Law | 3.0 |
| LSTU or LAW Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
- *
Students completing this concentration will be manually enrolled in the LSTU 540S MLS Capstone Thesis section.
| Higher Education Compliance Concentration * | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| LSED 532S | Legal Landscape of Student Rights and Campus Safety | 3.0 |
| LSED 533S | Institutional Compliance: Aid and Accreditation | 3.0 |
| LSED 534S | Higher Education Institutions: Financial Rules and Regulations | 3.0 |
| LSTU or LAW Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
- *
Students completing this concentration will be manually enrolled in the LSTU 540S MLS Capstone course section that is focused on compliance.
| Entrepreneurship and Law Concentration * | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| ENTP 501 | Entrepreneurship Practice & Mindset ** | 3.0 |
| ENTP 535 | Social Entrepreneurship ** | 3.0 |
| ENTP 540 | Approaches to Entrepreneurship ** | 3.0 |
| ENTP 641 | Innovation in Established Companies ** | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
- *
Students completing this concentration will be manually enrolled in the LSTU 540S MLS Capstone Thesis section.
- **
ENTP courses are on the Quarter Schedule. Note that 3 quarter credits = 2 semester credits. Therefore 12 quarter credits = 8 semester credits.
| Financial Regulatory Compliance * | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| LAW 700S | Business Organizations | 3.0 |
| Choose three from this list: | 9.0 | |
| Legal Regulation of Investment Advisers | ||
| Legal Regulation of Investment Companies | ||
| Broker/Dealer Regulation | ||
| Banking Law | ||
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
- *
Students completing this concentration will be manually enrolled in the LSTU 540S MLS Compliance Capstone section.
| Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Compliance* | ||
| LAW 770S | European Union Data Privacy and Protection | 3.0 |
| LSTU 515S | Information Privacy Law | 3.0 |
| LSTU 517S | The Law and Strategies Surrounding Cybersecurity | 3.0 |
| LSTU or LAW Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
- *
Students concentrating in Cybersecurity and Information Privacy will be manually enrolled in the LSTU 540S Compliance Capstone.
| Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Regulatory Compliance Concentration* | ||
| Choose four from the list below: | 12.0 | |
| European Union Data Privacy and Protection | ||
| 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 | ||
| Patients and Privacy: HIPAA and Related Regulations | ||
| Information Privacy Law | ||
| The Law and Strategies Surrounding Cybersecurity | ||
| Compliance Communications | ||
Program Level Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the United States legal system and structure
- Evaluate compliance systems including auditing and monitoring processes
- Recognize and analyze ethical dilemmas in professional practice
- Design a comprehensive risk management program
- Develop strategies to ensure compliance and ethical behavior within organizations