The Master of Legal Studies is for nonlawyer professionals who work regularly with lawyers and legal issues. It was created specifically for those who do not wish to practice law, but would like to use the law as a means to achieve goals in environments where law is too often seen as an obstacle.
Part-Time
The Master of Legal Studies curriculum was developed specifically to provide working, nonlawyer professionals with the skills necessary to understand, navigate, and leverage legal issues that may arise across highly regulated industries. The program helps these professionals work effectively with counsel when a lawyer’s involvement is necessary and work independently when a lawyer isn’t required. Through foundational and core courses, students will be introduced to a broad understanding of the law, followed by a focus on legal issues in specific industries through elective courses. Given the significant role of legal principles in the health, business, and the human resources fields, we offer concentrations in health law, business law, human resources law, and intellectual property law. Students can also complete a general track and choose their own electives. Each student will have the opportunity to engage with a dedicated advising team, as well as a career coach, to ensure the curriculum matches their individual passions and career goals.
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Unique Features
- Receive full support from advising through the School of Law
- Specialize in one of four industry-specific concentrations
- Flexible format allows working adults to take classes when it fits their professional and personal schedules
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Program Costs
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Online application
- Professional resumé
- Transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions
- A personal statement (500-1000 words) identifying your educational goals and expectations from the program; please be aware that the university's academic policy on plagiarism applies to applicant's statement of purpose
- One letter of recommendation: from an individual with either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities, such as a faculty member, current employer, mentor, or colleague. Recommender should submit the Graduate Studies Recommender Form and upload a written evaluation to the application.
- Official TOEFL scores (non-native English speakers only)
- GRE or LSAT scores (optional)
Admissions Dates
Early Consideration: | February 14, 2020 |
Dean's Scholarship: | April 10, 2020 |
Regular Admission: | April 24, 2020 |
Class Start Date: | May 4, 2020 |
Early Consideration: | June 5, 2020 |
Dean's Scholarship: | July 31, 2020 |
Regular Admissions: | August 14, 2020 |
Class Start Date: | August 24, 2020 |
Early Consideration: | October 23, 2020 |
Dean's Scholarship: | December 11, 2020 |
Regular Admission: | December 18, 2020 |
Class Start Date: | January 11, 2021 |
Early Consideration: | February 12, 2021 |
Dean's Scholarship: | April 9, 2021 |
Regular Admission: | April 23, 2021 |
Class Start Date: | May 3, 2021 |
The Experiential Network (XN) is a new initiative built to ensure experiential learning opportunities for graduate and professional studies students and to further enhance Northeastern’s position as the global leader in experiential learning for all students. Participation in XN projects allows students to apply classroom theory to practice and grow their professional networks while contributing to a real-world organization’s ability to move forward on project-based work and connect with rising professional talent.
XN projects give MLS students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to real-world practice by working with different sponsors on a wide array of projects in real-world workplaces. Through execution of six-week virtual projects, students are able to apply what they’ve learned in class in a real-world context, gain valuable experience to enhance their resumé, gain confidence, and build their professional networks. Along with the XN project, students are enrolled in a noncredit instructor-facilitated online course to help coach and mentor them through this real-world project experience. Students receive faculty direction, professional development, coaching and mentoring, and feedback to help ensure a satisfactory experience for our students and sponsors.
Potential MLS Student Projects
- Researching legal issues for a healthcare organization
- Performing an analysis of the regulatory environment for a financial services company
- Evaluating an organization’s compliance strategy for workplace anti-discrimination laws
Our Faculty
Northeastern University faculty represents a broad cross-section of professional practices and fields, including finance, education, biomedical science, management, and the U.S. military. They serve as mentors and advisors and collaborate alongside you to solve the most pressing global challenges facing established and emerging markets.
By enrolling in Northeastern, you’ll gain access to students at 13 campus locations, 300,000+ alumni, and 3,000 employer partners worldwide. Our global university system provides students unique opportunities to think locally and act globally while serving as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.
Below is a look at where our Law & Criminology alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
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Where They Work
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- City of Boston
- Deloitte
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Department of Justice
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What They Do
- Legal
- Business Development
- Education
- Entrepreneurship
- Community and Social Services
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What They're Skilled At
- Legal Research
- Litigation
- Legal Writing
- Public Speaking
- Research
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.