FAQ

A Master of Legal Studies is a graduate degree designed for professionals who work in highly regulated fields or regularly interact with the law but do not intend to become practicing attorneys. UMKC Law’s MLS program equips you with essential legal knowledge and analytical skills to interpret laws and regulations relevant to your field without a J.D. or bar licensure.

While a J.D. prepares students to become licensed lawyers, an MLS provides a foundation in legal knowledge for those who need legal expertise to support their professional roles. In an online MLS, you’ll gain knowledge in areas like contracts, compliance, ethics, regulatory law and legal research so you can effectively navigate legal issues and make better-informed business decisions.

Graduates of UMKC’s MLS program are equipped to take on specialized roles within their industries, manage complex legal issues and support their organizations’ compliance and risk needs. According to Payscale, the average salary of a Master of Legal Studies graduate is $72,000. Here are some potential MLS careers:

• Compliance manager
• Contract specialist
• Human resources director
• Regulatory analyst

Our program can be completed in two years on a part-time schedule. Learn more about the workload and flexible learning structure on our curriculum page.

Yes, the MLS is delivered fully online, with asynchronous coursework that allows students to study on their own schedules.

The program is entirely asynchronous, so students are not required to log in at specific times, but they are expected to follow the weekly course schedule as outlined by faculty.

Students can focus on one of four areas: compliance, health law, human resources or general legal studies.

No, our MLS degree is designed for professionals of diverse backgrounds looking for legal education that can help them make strides in their career. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, but we do not require any legal experience to apply. Start an application today.

Applications are accepted year-round. We recommend submitting applications at least two weeks before the desired start term — we review applications on a rolling basis, so this ensures that the admissions team will have enough time to review your application. The application process can be completed entirely online. For a detailed breakdown of the admissions process, visit our admissions page.

Yes, students may transfer credits from any accredited MLS program, but at least 15 credits must be completed at UMKC Law.

Once you’ve submitted your application and all required materials, you can expect to receive an admissions decision in about five to ten business days.

Find a full summary of our program tuition and fees on our tuition and financial aid page.

Yes! Students enrolled in our online MLS are encouraged to request federal and state financial aid by completing their FAFSA. UMKC’s school code is 002518. We also offer discount opportunities to University of Missouri employees and retirees, as well as their families. Learn more about our funding opportunities on our tuition and financial aid page.

Have questions that you couldn’t find answers to here? We’re here to support you! Reach out to us via phone at 816-451-8748 or schedule a call with an admissions advisor.