If you are thinking about pursuing an advanced legal degree, you've probably noticed that there are several options available to you—and if you have narrowed it down to a Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.), you might be wondering which best suits your interests and career goals.
Understanding the M.L.S. and LL.M. Programs
To understand the differences between a Master of Laws versus Master of Legal Studies, it can be helpful to explore what each individual program entails.
What Is a Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.)?
An M.L.S. degree is typically designed for students who do not have plans to attend law school or practice law but would still like to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the legal system as it applies to their own work. It is not uncommon for professionals in healthcare, human resources, real estate, cybersecurity, and finance to pursue M.L.S. degrees at some point during their respective careers.
What Is a Master of Laws (LL.M.)?
A Master of Laws degree, on the other hand, is generally more focused on those who are already studying or practicing law directly. Often, these are professionals who already hold a Juris Doctor degree (or a law degree from a foreign institution) but want to expand or specialize their knowledge in a specific area of law. Some common tracks in an LL.M. program may include tax law, estate planning, and international law.
Differences Between M.L.S. and LL.M. in Curriculum and Program Outcomes
As you can already tell, there are some key differences between an M.L.S. and LL.M. program in terms of focus and overall career goals. However, it can also be helpful to look at these degrees in terms of their curriculum focus and structure as well as potential career outcomes.
Curriculum Focus and Structure
Generally, a Master of Legal Studies degree is designed to be completed in about one to two years. Of course, this will depend on the student's enrollment status (part or full time) and other factors. These programs often consist of around 30 credit hours, with different tracks available for students in different industries. Common tracks include those in real estate, healthcare, finance, and cybersecurity. What you learn from an M.L.S. may encompass legal research and writing, information and data privacy, United States laws and regulations, and more.
An LL.M. degree tends to be slightly shorter and with fewer credit hour requirements. With this in mind, an LL.M. is typically completed within about a year. Because this degree program is designed for those who are already in the legal profession and hold law degrees, the structure of an LL.M. is more about specializing one's knowledge in a chosen area of law, such as international or tax law.
Career Paths and Opportunities
Those who complete an M.L.S. program may gain additional skills and knowledge that help them advance into leadership and managerial positions within their respective fields. Likewise, they may qualify for roles that require more extensive legal knowledge. Although an M.L.S. is not strictly required for such positions, some examples of professionals who may benefit from this educational background include healthcare administrators, human resource managers, compliance officers, and real estate leasing and construction managers.
For those who have completed an LL.M., this can also open the doors to additional career opportunities in more specialized areas of law, such as dispute resolution, intellectual property, or international law. In addition, some LL.M. degree holders go on to work as judges or even explore careers in other fields.
Admissions Requirements and Process: LL.M. vs. M.L.S.
Whether you're considering an M.L.S. or LL.M. degree, it is crucial to understand the admissions requirements and application process. Keep in mind that these can vary from one program to the next, so you should always check with your specific school before applying.
M.L.S. Admissions Criteria
In order to be accepted into an M.L.S. program, you typically need to have at least a bachelor's degree. Your bachelor's degree may not need to be in a related field, but there is a good chance you will need to have proof of a minimum GPA in your undergraduate program. Most schools will ask for official copies of transcripts to confirm this information.
LL.M. Admissions Criteria
LL.M. programs, on the other hand, have stricter criteria for admission than M.L.S. programs. Generally, you need to have already completed a Juris Doctor degree, or a law degree from a foreign institution, in order to be considered for an M.L.S. program. In some cases, you may need to be licensed to practice law or have a certain amount of work experience under your belt.
Examining the Time and Financial Investment
Another consideration when it comes to choosing between an M.L.S. and LL.M. degree program is the cost and amount of time you will need to spend in school.
Tuition Costs and Financial Aid Options for M.L.S. and LL.M.
Both M.L.S. and LL.M. programs can cost a substantial amount of money out-of-pocket, with most schools charging per credit hour. Because an LL.M. program usually consists of fewer credit hours than an M.L.S. program, the price to finish an M.L.S. degree may be higher. However, this can vary depending on the school and program.
Another important consideration is the financial aid options that may be available. If cost is a concern, be sure to explore federal student aid options, scholarships, grants, and even public service loan forgiveness as a means of lessening your financial burden through financing options for an M.L.S. degree.
ROI: Career Advancement and Salary Implications
You should consider the potential for career advancement and salary implications of getting your M.L.S. or LL.M. degree. Though you may need to spend some money to complete your degree program, the return on investment can pay off in terms of a higher salary as well as a greater degree of career satisfaction.
You can learn more about salary information on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website. However, for reference, a human resources manager makes a median salary of $136,350 per year—compared to just $67,650 per year as a human resources specialist (as of 2023). An M.L.S. degree and a solid understanding of the legal aspects of HR can be a catalyst to helping human resource specialists move into managerial and leadership positions with higher salaries.
Who Should Choose an M.L.S. Degree?
People across numerous professions can benefit from an M.L.S. degree. Namely, those working in compliance, in human resources, and as healthcare administrators can gain a great deal from an M.L.S. degree and the industry-specific legal knowledge that comes along with it. Having an M.L.S. degree can open up the doors for career advancement opportunities, higher-paying work, and more.
Professionals Seeking Legal Knowledge for Law-Adjacent Careers
One of the main reasons people explore M.L.S. degree programs is to gain legal knowledge that is specific to their profession without plans to become lawyers themselves. If you find yourself in a law-adjacent career (such as banking or finance), then an M.L.S. degree can be highly valuable in this regard.
Need for Understanding of Legal Compliance in Various Industries
An M.L.S. degree program can also provide foundational knowledge needed to understand legal compliance issues across a wide range of industries. In the healthcare industry, for instance, compliance with HIPAA is always a major concern. Through an M.L.S. program with a healthcare administration track, students can learn the ins and outs of industry-specific compliance regulations and how to follow them.
Who Should Opt for an LL.M. Degree?
While an M.L.S. degree offers plenty of value, some professionals may still be better suited for an LL.M. degree program. Mainly, this applies to lawyers and others who are already in the field.
Lawyers Looking to Specialize or Advance in Their Careers
An LL.M. allows lawyers to specialize in certain areas of the field, which can help them advance their careers. For example, a lawyer may return to school for an LL.M. that focuses on real estate law, international law, or some other area of law they are interested in practicing.
International Lawyers Seeking to Practice in the United States
An LL.M. is also a popular degree option for international lawyers who are looking to practice in the United States. Specifically, this degree can prepare international lawyers to take the bar exam in certain states in a shorter period of time than a Juris Doctor degree—making it a compelling option for those who may already be practicing law abroad.
How to Choose the Right Program for You Between an M.L.S. and an LL.M.
So, is an M.L.S. or an LL.M. degree program ideal for you? There are many factors to take into consideration when making such a major choice in your education and professional life.
Assess Your Career Goals and Academic Interests
Ultimately, whether an LL.M. or M.L.S. degree program is right for you boils down to your personal career goals and academic interests. If you are not interested in actually practicing law but still want to gain a deeper knowledge of the legal system and how it applies to your industry, then an M.L.S. degree will probably be your better option.
On the other hand, if you are a lawyer or law student and want to specialize your existing knowledge of law, an LL.M. degree can help you do that.
Consult With Alumni and Industry Experts
When deciding between an M.L.S. and LL.M. degree, it can also be useful to speak with industry experts or alumni from different programs. From there, you can gain insights into what their educational experience was like and what they are currently doing in their own careers. The University of Miami School of Law has a strong alumni network comprising more than 22,000 graduates across 85 countries, so this can be a go-to resource to help inform your decision.
Ready to Advance Your Education with an M.L.S.?
Both M.L.S. and LL.M. programs offer excellent opportunities to further your understanding of law as it relates to your industry and career. However, unless you already hold a Juris Doctor degree or are a law student, a Master of Legal Studies is likely to be your best option.
Does seeking a Master of Legal Studies program suit your needs? The University of Miami School of Law is proud to offer an online Master of Legal Studies program designed specifically for non-lawyer professionals. This 30-credit online M.L.S. curriculum blends the flexibility of an asynchronous learning experience with the highest caliber of academics.
Get in touch today to request information about our M.L.S. or LL.M. program. You can also explore success stories and more through our alumni network.
Sources
https://admissions.law.miami.edu/academics/mls
https://admissions.law.miami.edu/academics/mls/curriculum/
https://admissions.law.miami.edu/academics/llm
https://admissions.law.miami.edu/academics/mls/tuition-financing/
https://admissions.law.miami.edu/finance/scholarships/miami-law-scholarships/
https://news.miami.edu/law/stories/2024/04/six-ways-an-mls-degree-will-advance-your-career.html
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
https://admissions.law.miami.edu/academics/llm/us-transnational-law/
https://admissions.law.miami.edu/about/alumni-network/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm
