Legal Studies
Master of Legal Studies
of All Higher-Ed Institutions
-Center for World University Rankings, 2022
In Best Value Among Arizona's Public Universities
- Payscale, 2022
Quick Facts

College of Law
Program Details
The College of Law’s Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree is a 30-unit program that provides a strong legal foundation. In addition to general legal studies, you may concentrate in:
- Compliance and Legal Risk Management
- Criminal Law and Policy
- Environmental Law and Policy
- Family and Juvenile Law
- Human Rights
- Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy
- Intellectual Property
- International Trade and Business Law
- Law and EconomicsScholarship Available
- Mining Law and Policy
- Tax Law and Policy
- Legal Paraprofessional
If you want to work with and understand laws and regulations (without needing a law license) or wish to advance your career and development prospects by obtaining legal and critical-thinking skills, the MLS degree is the perfect fit.
In addition, the MLS degree prepares you to apply and test for a license to practice law in Arizona as a Legal Paraprofessional (LP). LPs may practice law in certain civil, criminal, and family court proceedings. If you already have a JD or have earned a qualifying law degree from outside of the US, you may consider pursuing the online LL.M. degree.
To apply for the online MLS program, you must file an application directly with the University of Arizona's College of Law.
Apply now or go to the College of Law website to learn more about the application process.
*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.
Courses
MLS students take focused courses designed to provide the legal knowledge and skills applicable to a broad range of law-related careers. Foundational courses include:
Outcomes
Skills
Earning your Master of Legal Studies in Legal Studies will build core skills, including:
- Client advocacy
- Specialized knowledge of the US legal system
- Legal analysis
- Negotiating
- Research
- Written communication
- Critical thinking
University of Arizona Law Master of Legal Studies graduates work in insurance, employee benefits, procurement, contracts administration, compliance, business analysis, public policy, legal paraprofessional practice, law enforcement, law office support services, and many other fields. Alumni have obtained positions with governmental agencies, business organizations, social service providers, educational institutions, nonprofits, and international NGOs. Jobs held by recent University of Arizona Master of Legal Studies graduates include:
- Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Analyst
- Adoptions Case Manager
- Anti-Money Laundering
- Change Manager
- Commercial Real Estate Broker
- Community Outreach Associate
- Compliance Analyst
- Contract Administrator
- Court Administrator
- Environmental Policy Development Manager
- Export Control Analyst
- Financial Aid Advisor
- Financial Advisor
- Financial Crime Consultant
- HIPPA Officer
- Human Resources Officer
- Insurance Broker
- Probation Officer
- Legal Analyst
- Legal Assistant
- News Director
- NGO Program Officer
- Paralegal
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Risk Manager
- Teacher
- Tribal Advocate
- Tribal Operations Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Bank Secrecy Act Analyst
- Legal Paraprofessional