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Attorneys who have earned their Juris Doctor (JD) degree in the US are sometimes in need of further education in a specialized area like child law, human rights, or real estate.
World- trained attorneys, on the other hand, need training in American law practices. That’s if they desire to take the Bar Exam and practice law in the U.S.
The online Master of Laws (LLM) degree is one of the most popular online master’s degree programs. It often takes just a year to complete online. The LLM degree allows lawyers to focus in a specific area.
Don’t have a JD? Need to know more about certain legal proceedings and laws? There’s no need to feel left out.
You’ll find several law degree programs online. These are to familiarize students with what they need to know about the law. That’s without making them pursue a full JD. Master of Legal Studies, Master of Law, Master of Jurisprudence.
These are some of the degrees available for non-lawyers to gain specialized knowledge. They can perform their jobs with a better understanding of how the law works.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a practicing attorney, an attorney who was educated outside of the United States, or a professional whose career would be enhanced by better understanding the law.
Read on to find some of the best master of jurisprudence online degrees.
Quick Links to Our Top 10
- University of Arizona
- Seton Hall University
- University of Southern California
- Georgetown University
- New York University
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Arizona State University
- Emory University
- University of Arkansas
- Tulane University
Methodology: To make our list of the best juris master online programs, we used public sources like U.S. News and World Report, the American Bar Association, and the websites of schools. These are schools that offer online Master of Law, Master of Jurisprudence, Master of Legal Studies, etc.
In this, we recognized several common factors that brought 50 online graduate law programs to the forefront of our research. We developed a point system to rank the programs based on those factors. Programs that received the same point value were ranked with the lower out-of-state tuition per credit hour as the tie-breaker. The criteria for the ranking can be found below.
- Degree customization– number of degrees offered online and options to specialize
- Program flexibility– the extent to which the degree can be completed entirely online
- School reputation and commendation– being ranked or recognized by independent, reputable sources such as U.S. News and World Report
#1. University of Arizona
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law has a General Master of Law that can be completed online (through UA Online). In this juris master program, students can form their own concentration. You can select electives from a wide range of options. The 24-unit LLM degree can be completed in two years on a part-time basis.
The school also has an online Master of Legal Studies degree. The College of Law has ten concentration options in addition to the general MLS. The concentrations cover many legal areas and provide a thorough understanding of the law.
They include:
- Compliance and Legal Risk Management
- Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy
- International Economic Law and Policy
The 30-unit legal studies program offers comprehensive coursework for non-lawyers with classes such as:
- American Common Law System
- Legal Analysis, Writing & Research
- Human Resources for Legal Counsel
All UA Online students in these legal studies programs are well supported through their assigned Student Academic Success Specialist. This master’s degree is approved by the American Bar Association.
#2. Seton Hall University
Seton Hall Law has a juris master legal studies program that is online. It is for attorneys. The Master of Science in Jurisprudence (MSJ) degree is online for non-attorneys.
The MSJ program requires 31 credit hours. The JM program can be done online within two years. It has five concentration options. Students can specialize in focus areas such as:
- Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Law & Compliance
- Health and Hospital Law
Seton Hall Law is well-known for academics in health law. It created the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Compliance Manual. This was published by the American Health Lawyers Association (AHLA) and the Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI).
The LLM degree also offers an online Health Law focus. This is in addition to the online LLM in Financial Services Compliance. It has 24 credit hours of coursework such as:
- Compliance Issues for Healthcare Providers
- The Law of Patient Care.
All health-focused degrees are offered through the School of Law’s Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy. This JM program is also approved through the American Bar Association.
#3. University of Southern California
The online juris master JM degree at the USC Gould School of Law is a 21-unit program. It can be completed in just three semesters. This graduate degree is available for both U.S.-trained and international attorneys.
The JM program is the only one that offers a graduate certificate in Business Law. U.S.-based attorneys also have their choice of online certificates in:
- Entertainment Law and Industry Compliance
- Financial Compliance
- Health Care Compliance
- Human Resources Law Compliance
Another juris master JM that is offered online and is 21 units in length is the Master of Studies in Law degree program. This juris master JM is for the student who does not intend to become an attorney.
Coursework includes an array of classes to prepare students for a variety of career fields. These include:
- Constitutional Law
- Legal Research
The prestigious faculty members are invested in each student’s success. They make themselves available for guidance regarding legal training and support. There are specific online USC Law student resources for prospective students to learn more about the program and USC Law.
#4. Georgetown University
Georgetown University Law Center (Georgetown Law) has a 24-credit hour juris master JM degree online. This legal studies program exists as an Executive degree program. There are two options, the LLM in Taxation degree and the exclusively-online LLM in Securities & Financial Regulation degree.
Both offer online students the same Georgetown Law experience. The master’s degree is complete with respected faculty and rigorous academics. It just has the added benefit of online convenience and flexibility.
The Taxation LLM JM program has a large and specialized array of tax courses taught to prepare students for the bar examination and for any other career fields requiring legal training. Plan on providing a personal statement for this juris master JM.
There are two specialty certificates online for the LLM in Taxation. Georgetown Law also offers the online Executive Master of Studies in Law in Taxation for non-lawyers. There are three online specialty certificate options. The curriculum includes seminars and courses taught such as:
- Advance Topics in Exempt Organizations
- International Tax Controversy
#5. New York University
The prestigious NYU School of Law has a 24-credit hour Executive LLM in Taxation degree program. With careful planning, this JM program can be completed online.
The master’s degree is designed to be completed on a part-time basis. Students often finish the degree in three years but have up to five. The curriculum is what you would expect from NYU Law. It is rigorous and extensive.
Some of the coursework in this master’s degree can lead to Professional Certificates in:
- Corporate Taxation
- Estate Planning
- International Taxation.
Executive LLM in Tax students can utilize the Career Services resource once they have earned enough credits. This is significant in that many employers in heavily regulated industries search out NYU LLM graduates. The career center is vital in preparing students for the bar examination and to become desirable working professionals. Graduate students should definitely take advantage of this career center!
A second degree is online for students without a JD: NYU Law’s Master of Studies in Law in Taxation. This degree requires about 24 credit hours. It allows students up to five years to finish the program. There is only one required course in this juris master. It is Survey of Tax Procedure. Students can choose from many online courses to customize their juris master degree and enable them to practice law in a variety of career fields.
#6. Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University School of Law provides an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree. This juris masters degree is for professionals who do not possess a JD degree. There is also an online LLM for international-trained attorneys.
The coursework for the 24-credit hour MLS program is offered online as an “immersive online learning experience.” It takes just a year.
In this juris masters, students receive the same rigorous and celebrated educational experience as their on-campus peers. The classes are presented in the Socratic method. This legal studies program allows for the dialogue to progress through critical thinking and engaged interaction.
The classes are relevant. MLS students may choose electives from classes such as:
- Professional Responsibility
- Trial Advocacy
If they choose, @WashULaw students are welcome to attend the on-campus optional immersion weekends. These are held twice each year, once in the Spring and once in the Fall.
#7. Arizona State University
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University has an online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree program. This legal studies master’s degree is for professionals who need to gain “a general understanding of U.S. law and how decisions are made within the U.S. legal structure.” That’s all without obtaining a JD.
The 30-credit hour master’s degree program does not require the LSAT, GRE or GMAT as admission requirements. The juris master JM offers five emphasis areas to customize the degree.
Students can focus on:
- Corporate and Health Care Compliance
- Criminal Law
- Human Resource & Employment Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Sports Law & Business
- Sustainability Law
If there is an area that is not represented in the curriculum, ASU Law will implement a new law course “if at least ten students commit to taking the course.” This graduate degree makes it possible for students to obtain legal training in just about any legal education pathway.
ASU Law graduates can participate in the Law for Life program. In this, alumni can take advantage of additional law degrees at a fraction of the normal cost.
#8. Emory University
The online LLM program at Emory University School of Law is a 24-credit hour program. This juris master JM has two customization options:
- the Business Law and Regulation concentration
- the Health Care Law, Policy, and Regulation concentration
The LLM degree program joins the online Juris Master (JM) program.
Students can also choose to concentrate in these legal studies programs. Options are in Business Law and Regulation or Health Care Law, Policy, and Regulation online with the JM degree.
The 30 credit hours are provided as an eighteen-month, sequential program. There is asynchronous coursework.
Classes for both specializations include:
- Introduction to the American Legal System
- Analysis, Research, and Communication for Non-Lawyers
- Contract Law
The remaining classes are specific to each concentration. The online LLM and the online JM require three three-day on-campus residencies. Information sessions are held for prospective students of the JM program to learn admission requirements. Admitted students are integrated into the Emory Law community with resources, services and support. Plan on providing a personal statement for this juris master JM.
#9. University of Arkansas
The online LLM in Agricultural and Food Law degree program at the University of Arkansas School of Law is an advanced law degree program. This juris master JM has had different names over the years. Yet it is one of the best master of legal studies degrees out there, with over 30 years of innovation and experience.
The 24-credit hour program focuses on the “important area of law, connecting lawyers to our food system, from farm to plate.” There are classes such as:
Business Human Rights & Corporate Responsibility
- The Right to Food
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Farmed Animal Welfare Law & Policy
All coursework is constructed under the guidance of the UA Global Campus. This pioneering program has been at the forefront of “agricultural and food law education, research, and outreach” for more than 30 years. It produced the first “specialized journal devoted to food law and policy issues.” The juris master JM also participates in multiple food and agriculture initiatives. There is financial assistance in the form of several scholarships.
#10. Tulane University
The well-established Tulane University Law School provides human resource professionals with an online Master of Jurisprudence in Labor and Employment Law (MJ-LEL). The goal of this juris master JM is to help them navigate the complex human resources laws and to provide quality legal counsel.
The 30-credit hour master’s degree program has courses such as:
- Employment Law
- Negotiating Skills
- Social Media Issues in the Workplace
All online students in this master of legal studies must attend one on-campus Immersion weekend. This is at the beginning of the master’s degree program. A final Capstone course culminates the degree.
Students are assigned to groups to gain collaborative experience. Students learn from faculty experts in the field. These experts in the legal studies programs are well-known authorities on labor and employment law issues, as well as other career fields.
#11. Hofstra University
The Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra is home to the 100% online Master of Laws or Master of Arts in Health Law and Policy degree program. The degree includes 25 credits for the LLM degree. It has 30 for the MA. Because of this, with this master of legal studies, students can graduate in eighteen months.
There is also no LSAT or GRE needed to start legal training with this program. There are three start dates a year. Students can begin the legal studies programs at their convenience.
Coursework for both programs cover important topics such as:
- Medicare and Medicaid Law
- Bioethics and the Law
The master of legal studies program is for students who do not have a JD or formal legal training. It has two additional courses:
- Introduction to the American Legal System
- Health Law
Students benefit from the distinguished and extensive Hofstra Law faculty. They engage in the Gitenstein Institute for Health Law and Policy. These legal studies help shape the course of the health of the world through advocacy and programs.
#12. University of Alabama
The University of Alabama’s distance education system is called “Bama By Distance”. These legal studies programs are 100% online through the School of Law.
Students can choose from the Business Transactions track or the Taxation track. Both potential career fields have 24 credit hours of synchronous coursework. The graduate degree exists in a cohort format.
Beginning each August, each concentration has a set of required courses. Examples include Tax Research and Advance Business Entities. There are also legal studies degree electives from which students can choose.
Non-lawyers can also pursue a degree online through Bama By Distance. This is the online Juris Master in Taxation program. The juris master program allows “accountants, business students, and CPAs the opportunity to obtain an advanced tax degree without having to pursue the JD.”
The 30-credit hour, two-year program is also presented in a cohort format. It starts in August. All students start this master of legal studies with an online orientation (as does the online LLM student). They progress through required courses such as Capital Transactions and Civil Tax Procedure.
#13. Boston University
The Boston University School of Law offers two online LLM programs. These juris master degrees, despite having different names, are both an excellent option for working professionals.
To quote, they are for “experienced practitioners who are unable to attend traditional, nine-month residential programs.” The 20-credit hour Executive LLM in International Business Law provides online coursework. It has one two-week residential experience. The “intensive” session is held in either Boston or Budapest, Hungary. Students can choose which to attend.
Often, students make the most of their time by taking two courses and one colloquium. Three concentrations are available online for the Executive LLM. These are in:
- Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance
- International Environmental and Energy Law
- International Taxation
Students can take electives from within any of the concentrations if they choose a broader education. BU also offers the 24-credit hour LLM in Taxation degree. There are multiple concentrations and emphasis areas in this JD program. The curriculum is varied with many course options.
#14. University of Oklahoma
The OU College of Law has two online LL.M. degrees. There is one in Energy and Natural Resources and one in Indigenous Peoples Law. There are three distinctive Master of Legal Studies programs.
Students can pursue an MLS in Oil, Gas and Energy Law, an MLS in Indigenous Peoples Law, or an MLS in Healthcare Law.
The flexibility and accessibility of the programs allow working professionals to earn the degree of their choice in just fifteen months. There are three start dates a year to add even more convenience.
The programs range from 32 to 33 credit hours. They are either 100% online, as is the case with the MLS in Indigenous Peoples Law and the MLS in Healthcare Law. Or, the legal studies programs are mostly online with a one-week on-campus residency. This is the case with the graduate degree MLS in Oil, Gas and Energy Law.
The unique degrees all boast specialized coursework. Classes include:
- Introduction to Petroleum Engineering and Geo-Sciences
- Religion, Culture, and Indian Law
- Professional Relationships in Health Care Enterprises
In addition to the online master of legal studies programs, OU Law was the first U.S.-based law school to implement a Digital Initiative.
#15. Wake Forest University
You’ll find another excellent legal education option for aspiring and practicing lawyers at Wake Forest University. This master of legal studies features three start dates and an online, asynchronous Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree.
The curriculum provides students with the renowned Wake Forest University School of Law experience. It is delivered in a flexible and convenient format. Students have up to four years to complete the 30-credit hour program. They can finish in just 21 months if they choose.
Three dedicated tracks allow professionals to focus on their individual academic goals. Students can choose from:
- Business Law & Compliance
- Health Law & Policy
- Human Resources
All students participate core coursework classes such as:
- Business Law and Literacy
- Legal Foundations
- Private Law
Elective selections vary between concentrations. Working professionals choose from common class offerings such as:
- Managing Talent and Preventing Discrimination
- Detecting Wrongdoing with Investigations, Monitoring, and Audits
- Cybersecurity
The faculty and staff in this technology law graduate degree are trained in online education. They are accessible at any time to help aspiring and practicing lawyers earn a degree in law as seamlessly as possible.
#16. Drexel University
Drexel University has an interdisciplinary online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree program. This master of legal studies is delivered through the Thomas R. Kline School of Law. It exists in partnership with the School of Education, the Close School of Entrepreneurship, and the College of Nursing and Health Professions.
This legal training degree has eight concentration areas. The 30-credit hour program provides students with instruction on “how laws and regulations work and how to properly conduct business” in many different areas. The legal training you’ll receive in this program will not only assist with passing the bar exam. It will help you practice law in just about any area you choose.
Core coursework includes classes such as:
- Ethics and Professional Standards,
- Risk Assessment and Management
- Compliance Skills: Auditing, Investigation & Reporting
All students complete a final MLS Masters Capstone. Students can opt to choose from a wide array of electives. Or they can focus on a predetermined concentration (or two) in such areas as:
- Criminal Law
- Higher Education Compliance
- Cybersecurity and Information Privacy
- NCAA Compliance and Sports Law
There are three start dates a year. You can pursue the degree on a part- or full-time basis to assure convenience. Prospective students can attend virtual open house sessions for more information. ABA approved
#17. Vermont Law School
You’ll find more excellent online juris masters programs at Vermont Law School. There are three distinct 30-credit hour LLM degrees. In addition to these legal studies programs, there are three 30-credit hour Masters degrees. All exist online at Vermont Law School. And all can be completed in as little as one year.
The three LLM degrees are for students already possessing a JD degree. Practicing lawyers can choose to pursue a juris master degree in concentrations such as:
- Energy Law
- Environmental Law
- Food and Agriculture Law
The Master of Energy Regulation and Law (MERL) is offered through the Institute for Energy and the Environment. The Master of Environmental Law and Policy (MELP) and the Master of Food and Agriculture Law and Policy (MFALP) exist through the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems. Both are available for both attorneys and non-attorneys alike.
These innovative and unique programs have online coursework. There is also an invitation to the comprehensive Summer Session Program.
#18. Texas A&M University
The Texas A&M University School of Law has two LLM degree programs 100% online.
Master’s degree options include the LLM in Wealth Management and the LLM in Risk Management. Both degree programs are 24 credit hours. They are open to both U.S.-trained or international students. Both take just one year.
The Wealth Management and Risk Management degrees are 30-credit hour Masters of Jurisprudence (MJur) degrees for non-lawyers. The curriculum for both are identical. They are just with the addition of the “Intro to U.S. Law” for the students who do not possess JDs. Plan on providing a personal statement for this juris master JM.
Students learn from a faculty that includes Professor William Byrnes. He was the pioneer that developed the first online LLM degree from an ABA approved school. Online webinars hosted by the Professor discuss the innovation behind Texas A&M’s online graduate law programs. There are a myriad of resources and student support services. ABA approved
#19. Florida State University
You’ll find another top juris master degree at the College of Law at Florida State University. The school has a 100% online Juris Master (JM) degree program.
This master’s degree is for professionals who need to enhance their knowledge of legal procedures and regulations without becoming an attorney. The 30-credit hour program offers three concentrations.
You can choose to customize the degree with options like:
- Financial Regulation and Compliance
- Health Care Regulation
- Legal Risk Management and HR Compliance
All three concentrations share the same core curriculum. Classes train you to pass the bar exam and practice law and include topics such as:
- Introduction to Legal Studies and Research
- Legislation and Regulation
You can start your graduate degree in the fall, spring, or summer. Most students finish the degree in five semesters of study.
#20. George Mason University
George Mason University has a superb juris master online. It is an LLM in Global Antitrust Law & Economics. This law masters online is for both U.S.-trained and internationally-trained attorneys. There is also an LLM in U.S. Law for international attorneys.
George Mason University’s renowned Scalia Law School is open to lawyers around the globe. The LLM in Antitrust Law & Economics has 24 credit hours for students with a JD from a law school within the United States. International law students must complete 26 credit hours.
All students have up to three years to finish the program. Classes cover topics like:
- Economics for Lawyers
- Global Antitrust Law
Students choose thirteen credit hours of electives. These include courses such as:
- European Union Competition Law
- Consumer Protection Law
There is an optional Practical Skills Track in this juris masters degree online too. It adds an additional Supervised Externship. The Global Antitrust Institute (GAI) provides many opportunities to enhance a student’s academic experience. Plan on providing a personal statement for this juris master JM.
#21. Widener University
A General LLM degree with two online-only concentrations await students of Widener University’s Delaware Law School.
The Health Law Regulatory Analysis & Compliance concentration is ideal for practicing lawyers. This JM program is perfect for those who desire to grow their “skills and experience in the health care field with a specialized focus on regulatory compliance.”
This master’s degree has a unique Corporate Law Regulatory Analysis & Compliance concentration. It is open to attorneys from the United States or those who were internationally-trained. Both programs have 24 semester hours. The master’s degree takes one to two years. Students have as many as four years if needed to finish the program.
There are several Master of Jurisprudence degrees for working professionals. These include:
- the 29-credit hour MJ in Health Law
- the 29-credit MJ in Corporate and Business Law
- a dual 48-credit hour MBA/MJ in Corporate and Business Law
If you’re interested in furthering your legal education even more, there is a 15-credit graduate Certificate in corporate or healthcare compliance. ABA approved. Accredited by the Compliance Certification Board.
#22. Samford University
You’ll find even more excellent juris masters programs at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. This school has two 100% virtual master of legal studies degrees. Each legal studies degree has multiple concentration options.
The 30-credit hour LLM degree and the 36-credit hour Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree program take just two years. Students can choose between four predetermined concentrations:
- Financial Services Regulatory Compliance
- Health Law and Policy
- Higher Education Law and Compliance
- Legal Project Management
There are core courses for all LLM students:
- Principles of Business Law
- Intro to Public Policy: Legislations & Regulation
#23. Michigan State University
The Michigan State University College of Law has some of the best juris master programs.
There is an LLM and an MJ in Global Food Law. Both exist online for professionals who want to pass the bar examination and earn a legal studies degree that enables them to practice law in any career field.
The LLM degree has 24 credit hours. The MJ requires 26 credits. Students without a JD must take the additional two-credit “Foundations of Law and Legal Research” class. Both take three years if pursued at a relaxed pace. The curriculum has three core courses. The remaining credits include elective courses such as:
- Halal Food: An Introduction to Islamic Laws and Ethics
- Biotechnology Law and Food Products
- Wine, Beer and Spirits Laws and Regulations
This master of legal studies is ideal for practicing lawyers and professionals in the food industry. The Global Food Law program appeals to a wide range of student backgrounds and goals. ABA approved
#24. Northeastern University
The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program at Northeastern School of Law is 100% online and is quite flexible. One of the best juris masters programs out there, it was designed for non-lawyers. It takes just two years. There are 30 credit hours. Students engage in core coursework covering topics like:
- Law of Information and Records
- Data Regulation and Compliance
Students can choose to pursue a concentration in:
- Health Law
- Business Law
- Human Resources Law
#25. Loyola University Chicago
The School of Law at Loyola has an online LLM in Business Law and LLM in Health Law. These are in the Beazley Institute for Health Law and Policy. Both have 24 credit hours each. The degree takes one to two years.
Course options for this juris master degree online include:
- Contract Drafting
- European Union Privacy Law
- Transactional Skills
- Law and Bioethics
There are also three online MJ programs for non-lawyers:
- MJ in Business Law and Compliance
- MJ in Children’s Law & Policy
- MJ in Health Law
- All three MJ degrees have 24 credit hours and participation in the EIWs
The Children’s Law & Policy degree is in Loyola’s “nationally-recognized Civitas ChildLaw Center.” Each degree provides many resources and enhancements for online graduate law students. ABA approved
#26. Stetson University
Stetson University is home to some of the best juris master programs. There are several Master of Jurisprudence and LLM degrees that are 100% online or mostly online with a residency. Stetson University College of Law has specializations to enhance the careers of both attorneys and non-attorneys.
The master of legal studies is a 30-credit hour, online MJur in Healthcare Compliance. It is an interdisciplinary program. Students benefit from partnerships with the:
- University of South Florida College of Medicine
- Bay Pines VA Healthcare
- Adventist Systems in Florida
There is also the online MJur in Aging, Law and Policy. This master of legal studies is a 25-credit hour program. It gives online students access to an extensive online library replete with resources on Aging Law and Policy.
The two online LLM degree programs both require brief on-campus residencies. These residences are meant to enhance the academic experience and give students the confidence they need to practice law in any setting. Plan on providing a personal statement for this juris master JM.
#27. Villanova University
Villanova has an online LLM in Taxation. This master of legal studies prepares students for the bar exam. It is a legal studies degree offered through both the AACSB-accredited Villanova School of Business and the Charles Widger School of Law.
The 24-credit hour program takes as little as eighteen months. The juris master degree has courses such as:
- Survey of Tax
- Partnership Taxation
- Professional Responsibilities in Tax and Research & Writing
Students select three electives from choices like:
- Charitable Gift Planning
- Taxation of Corporate Acquisitions and Reorganizations
- Advanced Topics in Employee Benefits
There are three graduate certificates. These offer students the opportunity to specialize the degree:
- State and Local Tax
- Estate Planning
- Employee Benefits
#28. University of Miami
The Robert Traurig-Greenberg Traurig LLM in Real Property Development (RPD) is the LLM degree program. This JM program is offered online at the University of Miami School of Law.
This master of legal studies is a 30-credit hour program. It takes just two years to complete. Students have up to five years if needed. There are two on-campus requirements. These ten day residencies allow distance education students the chance to “feel part of the community of students in the RPS Program.”
Courses include relevant topics such as:
- Environmental Regulation of Real Property
- Land Security and Finance
- Basic Condominium, Cooperative and Planned Unit Development
#29. Northwestern University
You will find another excellent juris master degree at Northwestern University. The Master of Science in Law (MSL) is a part-time program for STEM professionals. It is in the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
The 28-credit hour program curriculum is comprised of eight required core courses. These include:
- Business Formation & Structure
- Contract Law & Design
- Research in Law, Business & Technology
The remaining courses are chosen from electives. These are grouped into focus areas in:
- intellectual property and patent design
- business law and entrepreneurship
- regulatory analysis and strategy
Students can choose their electives according to their academic goals. They can concentrate in one area, or choose a wide selection of elective topics.
Elective options include:
- Intro to Accounting & Financial Statements
- Healthcare Law and Policy
- Quantitative Reasoning in the Law
#30. Regent University
There are multiple excellent juris masters programs at Regent University.
Here you will find two LLM specializations and a Master of Art in Law degree. These are the online offerings of the Regent University School of Law.
Both the LLM in American Legal Studies and the LLM in Human Rights exist online and on-campus. They have 30 credit hours to graduate.
There is one shared course between the specializations— Foundations of Law. This is followed by courses such as:
- Foundations of Legal Thought
- American Legal System & Writing
- International Children’s Rights
- Religion in the Workplace
The online MA in Law degree also has 30 credit hours. There are multiple concentration options. A few of the focus areas include:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- General Legal Studies
- Wealth Management & Financial Planning
#31. Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University’s Shepard Broad College of Law has four Master of Science in Law degree programs. Students can complete all degrees online just two years. These juris master options include:
- Master’s in Education Law
- Master’s in Employment Law
- Master’s in Health Law
- Master’s in Law and Policy
Within each degree students have their choice of multiple concentration options. These include:
- Business and Entrepreneurial Counseling
- Health Law
- Intellectual Property, Cybersecurity, and Technology Law
- International Law
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution
#32. Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School (WMU-Cooley) has multiple LLM degrees online:
- Intellectual Property Law
- Taxation
- Corporate Law & Finance
- Insurance Law
- Homeland and National Security Law
The programs have 24 credits. Students take less than two years (but have up to three years if desired). Plan on providing a personal statement for this juris master JM.
#33. University of Tulsa
There are two specialized Master of Jurisprudence degree programs at the University of Tulsa College of Law. There is a Master of Jurisprudence in Energy Law (MJEL) and the Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law (MJIL). This master of legal studies is one of the best for providing a comprehensive understanding of the law.
Both offered full or part-time. They take one and a half to two years. The 24-credit hour MJEL degree program is housed within the Sustainable Energy & Resources Law (SERL) program.
Classes are immersive and comprehensive. They provide an understanding of the law with different names like:
- Water Rights & Water Law
- Natural Resources Law
- Regulation of Energy Markets
#34. Albany Law School
The LLM in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Law degree program at Albany Law School is an online degree. It takes just one to two years. The juris master is offered in partnership with the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA). Ideal for practicing lawyers, it includes coursework such as:
- Technology Law
- Healthcare Compliance
- Cyber War, Intelligence & National Security
- Electronic Discovery
#35. The John Marshall Law School
Now part of the University of Illinois Chicago as of 2019, the John Marshall Law School offers multiple online LLM and Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) degree program. Students have access to multiple centers in this JD program, including the:
- Center for Intellectual Property, Information & Privacy Law
- the Center for Tax Law & Employee Benefits
- the Center for Real Estate Law
Of course, this master of legal studies also enables students to access the career center.
#36. University of Nebraska – Lincoln
The juris master here is a six semester, part-time hybrid program. There are some on-campus requirements. Nebraska College of Law’s LLM in Space, Cyber, and Telecommunications Law degree is competitive. No more than eight students are admitted each year.
It requires 24 credit hoursCourse requirements include classes such as:
- National Security Space Law
- Domestic Telecommunications Law & Regional Cybersecurity
- International Cyber Security: Mischief, Crime and Warfare
#37. Liberty University
If you want to practice law, you should consider the juris master at Liberty University. There is a Juris Master (JM) degree for non-lawyers and an LLM juris master degree that is 100% online. The Liberty University School of Law allows students to “tailor the level of legal education” to suit their needs.
The juris master degree includes 30 hours of study. It provides two concentrations:
- International Legal Studies
- American Legal Studies
Both concentration options allow students to select electives. The master of legal studies includes course options for a customized legal education JD program. Options include:
- Law & Economics
- Criminal Law
- Corporate Compliance
- Torts Law
- International Public Law
- International Human Rights Law
- International Trade Law
- The Law of Armed Conflict
- Jurisprudence/Legal History
#38. Florida Coastal School of Law
The Florida Coastal School of Law offers another excellent opportunity for legal education. The JD program was the first online LLM juris master degree in the United States Law for international lawyers. There are also juris master JM online degree in law options in Logistics & Transportation and General Law Studies.
The 24-credit hour LLM in Logistics & Transportation is the first of its kind in the nation. It provides asynchronous coursework. It offers a well-rounded legal education in a degree in law that covers topics like:
- technology law
- corporate compliance
- global risk compliance
- maritime law
- aviation liability and litigation
- labor relations
The 26-credit hour LLM in General Law Studies offers concentrations in
- International Law
- Logistics & Transportation
- Business and Transactional Practice
- U.S. Law Practice
#39. Western New England University
The School of Law at WNE provides the sole online LLM in Elder Law and Estate Planning juris master degree in the nation. This JD program is delivered through live and interactive coursework.
The 24-credit hour program focuses on the “practical aspects of drafting estate plans, administering the settlement of estates, and representing elderly clients and families.”
Classes in this degree in law JM program include:
- Federal Wealth Transfer Taxes
- Fiduciary Administration
#40. Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Touro Law pioneered the first online LLM in Aging and Longevity degree. This juris master JM is a 24-credit hour, online asynchronous program.
Students in this JM program degree in law complete three required core courses:
- Core Issues in Aging and Longevity Law,
- Estate Planning or Financial Planning for Aging and Incapacity
- Ethical Issues in Representing Aging Clients and Their Family Members
There is also an Independent Writing Project.
Elective classes include:
- The Guardianship Quality Initiative: How to Humanely and Competently Litigate Guardianship Matters Geriatric Medicine for Lawyers
- How Older Persons Access and Pay for Healthcare
- Familial Relationships, Responsibilities, and Ambiguities
#41. American University
The American University Washington College of Law’s Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law has a hybrid LLM in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law.
This juris master degree is for both U.S.-based and international attorneys. It has both on-campus and online coursework. The 24-credit hour program has two three-week summer residencies. Students can choose from seminars in topics:
- The Rights of Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Groups
- International Humanitarian Law
#42. California Southern University
Both the Master of Science in Law and the LLM programs at CalSouthern are 100% online through the School of Law.
The juris master JM requires students to possess a JD. You must complete 24 credit hours to graduate. Focus areas are available in:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Commerce and Global Trade (CGT)
The core curriculum for each area is comprised of twelve credits. There are topics like:
- Negotiations, Theory and Practice
- Group Leadership, Process and Facilitation
- International Business Law
- Uniform Commercial Code
The “innovative, versatile” 36-credit hour MSL program takes as little as eighteen months or up to four years. Seven core classes make up a large portion of the program requirements.
#43. Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Three different concentrations are offered through both LLM and Master of Science of Law (JSM) juris master programs. These are 100% online at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Students can choose from:
- Taxation, Financial Services and Wealth Management
- Financial Compliance and Risk Management
The LLM degree requires 24 units. The MSL degree 30 units. The program can be completed at an accelerated pace within a year. Students are encouraged to complete it at their own pace.
Coursework is offered asynchronously for convenience and flexibility. Class topics cover a wide range of subjects depending on the concentration chosen:
- Civil Tax Procedure
- High Net Worth Client Planning
- Securities Law and Compliance
#44. Pepperdine University
Pepperdine Law’s Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree is a 32-unit program providing non-lawyer professionals with an excellent preparation for the bar exam. Students learn “fundamental understanding of legal concepts and procedures.”
Coursework focuses on a range of topics including:
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Employment Law
- Negotiation Theory and Practice
Students can choose a concentration in dispute resolution, with courses from Pepperdine Law’s top-ranked Straus Institute. The degree can be completed in as few as sixteen months full-time.
#45. West Virginia University
The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) at WVU is housed within the Public Administration Department of the Eberly College of Arts & Sciences.
It is a 30-credit hour program available 100% online. The MLS provides ten courses that can be completed in just eighteen months.
In addition to a general studies track, there are three emphasis areas in:
- Justice Systems
- Homeland Security
- Health Care
All students participate in the required core courses on subjects like:
- Law & the Legal System
- Dispute Resolution Process
- Administrative Ethics
#46. The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law
The Colleges of Law offer an online Masters of Legal Studies (MLS) for professionals “who work—or aspire to work—in fields that routinely intersect with law.”
It is a 30-credit hour program that can be completed in eighteen months on a part-time basis.
Required coursework covers topics like:
- Litigation and Its Alternatives
- Research and Advocacy
- American Legal System
All students finish the degree by engaging in a Capstone course. Two concentrations are offered to online MLS students.
The Frontiers in Law concentration explores privacy rights and legality. Courses include:
- Emerging Threats
- Global Relationships
- Bio Legal Issues
The Regulatory Compliance/Legal Risk Management concentration focuses on class topics such as:
- Data Security & Breach
- Liability, Risk, and Insurance
- Regulation and Compliance
#47. American Military University
The American Military University School of Security & Global Studies houses the online Master of Arts in Legal Studies.
Classes include:
- Legal & Ethical Issues in Management
- Homeland Security and the Law
- Judicial Politics, Process, and Policy Making
- Methods of Legal Research and Writing
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Justice Process
A final Legal Studies Capstone culminates the degree.
#48. University of Illinois Springfield
A Master of Arts in Legal Studies is offered online through the Legal Studies Department in the UIS College of Public Affairs and Administration.
The unique program provides 40 credit hours of coursework such as:
- Theories of Justice
- Public Advocacy
- Politics and Law
- Courts and Policymaking
#49. Hodges University
The Master of Science in Legal Studies (MSLS) at Hodges University is online through the Nichols School of Professional Studies. It exists as a full or part-time program.
30-credit hours are necessary. Students engage in comprehensive courses such as:
- Mediation, Arbitration and Conflict Resolution
- Ethics and Law
- Employment and Human Resources
#50. Webster University
The 39-credit hour Master of Arts in Legal Studies at Webster University is offered online through the College of Arts & Sciences. The curriculum “is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the legal environment.”
It includes such required classes as:
- Ethics for the Legal Professional
- Anglo-American Legal History
- American Constitutional Law
Students can choose an internship as an elective. There is a final Research and Writing Project for all students. Students can earn a Certificate in Paralegal Studies alongside the degree if desired.
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