Program Overview

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Online Master of Legal Studies Program

The Online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program at Drexel University's Kline School of Law is designed to provide professionals with a solid understanding of the law and its applications in various industries. This program is ideal for non-lawyers who need to understand the intricacies of legal compliance and add value to their organizations.

Program Overview

The Online Master of Legal Studies program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers essential knowledge in compliance, legal research and analysis, risk management, ethics, and professional standards. Students can choose from a general Master of Legal Studies or select from eight specialized concentrations in areas where regulatory compliance is critical to success.

Concentrations

The program offers the following concentrations:

• Criminal Law
• Cybersecurity & Information Privacy Compliance
• Entrepreneurship & Law
• Financial Regulatory Compliance
• Health Care Compliance
• Higher Education Compliance
• Human Resources Compliance
• NCAA Compliance & Sports Law
• Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Regulatory Compliance

Program Features

The Online Master of Legal Studies program features:

• A highly interactive environment with peers and professors
• The option to take classes part-time or full-time
• Access to the Kline Graduate Programs Virtual Career Office
• Opportunities to network with faculty and alumni

Accreditation

The Thomas R. Kline School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association, and Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The Master of Legal Studies - Health Care Compliance Concentration and Graduate Certificate in Health Care Compliance programs are accredited by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB).

Curriculum

The program consists of 45 quarter credits, including:

• Required core curriculum courses
• Electives or concentration courses
• A master's capstone project

Required Core Curriculum Courses

The required core curriculum courses include:

• Introduction to the Legal System
• Compliance Skills: Auditing, Investigation & Reporting
• Ethics and Professional Standards
• Legal Research and Analysis
• Risk Assessment and Management
• MLS Masters Capstone I and II

Electives/Concentration

Students must obtain 20.0 elective credits. If a student chooses a concentration, they must complete at least three courses from their selected concentration. The remaining electives may be LSTU courses outside of the core courses.

Concentration Courses

Each concentration has its own set of required courses. For example:

• Health Care Compliance Concentration:
  • Health Care Rules and Regulations
  • Health Care Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management
  • Patients and Privacy: HIPAA and Related Regulations
• NCAA Compliance and Sports Law Concentration:
  • NCAA Governance I: Division I
  • NCAA Governance II- Division II and III
  • NCAA Infractions and Enforcement Processes

Admissions Criteria

The admissions criteria include:

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A GPA of at least 3.0
• Official transcripts from all universities or colleges attended
• One letter of recommendation
• A completed application
• Submit one of the following:
  • Academic Writing Sample
  • A Problem of Practice

Tuition

The tuition rate for the academic year is $975 per credit. Students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar includes four 10-week quarters per year. The program starts on:

• September 22, 2025 (Fall 2025)
• January 5, 2026 (Winter 2026)
• March 30, 2026 (Spring 2026)
• June 22, 2026 (Summer 2026)

Career Opportunities

A Master of Legal Studies can support professionals in a wide array of fields, ensuring that they are up-to-date with the laws and regulations most relevant to their industry. Common fields that require the expertise learned from the online MLS degree include:

• Compliance Manager
• Compliance Officer
• Financial Analyst
• Financial Manager
• Human Resources Manager
• Information Security Analyst
• Medical and Health Services Manager
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator
• Nurse Practitioner
• Postsecondary Education Administrator
• Paralegal/Legal Assistant
• Police Officer
• Probation Officer
• Registered Nurse

Salary Ranges

The salary ranges for graduates of a Master of Legal Studies program can vary greatly depending on their field and position. Some median salary ranges include:

• Compliance Manager: $116,350
• Compliance Officer: $71,100
• Financial Analyst: $83,660
• Financial Manager: $134,180
• Human Resources Manager: $121,220
• Information Security Analyst: $103,590
• Medical and Health Services Manager: $104,280
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator: $84,810
• Nurse Practitioner: $111,680
• Postsecondary Education Administrator: $97,500
• Paralegal/Legal Assistant: $52,920
• Police Officer: $65,540
• Probation Officer: $55,690
• Registered Nurse: $75,330