What Can You Do With a Master of Legal Studies?
Professionals across industries are finding that foundational legal expertise can accelerate their career growth. A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree provides graduates with a strong grasp of how law and regulation impact business, government, and nonprofit operations.
This degree broadens opportunities for professionals in compliance, corporate strategy, nonprofit management, and international governance. And for individuals interested in transitioning to these areas, an MLS can empower them with greater leadership and decision-making skills for long-term value.
In a hurry? Get your questions answered:
- What is a Master of Legal Studies?
- What jobs can you get with an MLS?
- How does legal knowledge strengthen decision-making?
- What are the long-term career benefits of an MLS?
- What benefits does the UC Law SF MLS degree offer?
What Is a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Degree?
A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree is a graduate-level program designed for professionals who need to apply and understand the law to organizational strategy and policy. While a JD prepares graduates to take the bar exam and represent clients in court, an MLS ensures professionals across industries understand the applications of:
- Regulations
- Compliance
- Contracts
- Ethics
- Governance
An MLS enables professionals to lead with confidence, apply legal insights across teams, and strengthen organizational decision-making in complex environments. Graduates make significant contributions across compliance, corporate strategy, technology, advocacy, and governance.
I continue to believe these legal master’s programs are the way of the future: a degree that democratizes legal education and equips people from so many backgrounds to interact with lawyers and legal concepts.
What Career Paths Can You Pursue with a Master’s in Legal Studies?
Master’s in legal studies graduates often move into roles where a clear understanding of the law is a must, such as leadership, compliance, and business strategy. Programs that offer specializations can prepare students to pursue roles in even more highly specialized industries or roles.
Below is a sample of jobs you can pursue with a master’s in legal studies. Salary data is drawn from Lightcast and reflects national averages.
| Role | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Business Operations Director | $145,200 |
| Compliance Officer | $81,800 |
| Ethics & Risk Advisor | $100,100 |
| Government Program Analyst | $94,100 |
| Human Resources Director | $107,400 |
| IP Licensing Manager | $91,900 |
| Legal Operations Lead in Start-Ups | $118,500 |
| Legislative or Regulatory Affairs Specialist | $90,500 |
| NGO Program Director | $81,300 |
| Tech Policy Analyst | $87,900 |
Source: Lightcast
Corporate and Business Roles
Compliance Officer
Key Skills: Regulatory knowledge, ethics, auditing
Median Annual Salary: $81,800
MLS Specialization: Compliance
Compliance officers help organizations set and follow internal policies that reflect laws and regulations. They conduct audits, develop compliance programs, and advise leadership on regulatory obligations. This role is crucial in industries where oversight is strict, and an MLS provides the knowledge to manage these responsibilities.
Business Operations Director
Key Skills: Strategic planning, legal alignment
Median Annual Salary: $145,200
MLS Specialization: Business
Business operations directors manage daily activities and ensure business practices align with legal and regulatory standards. They play a role in setting compliance policies, managing resources, and supporting company growth. With a background in business law, MLS graduates can bring legal awareness to strategic planning.
Human Resources Director
Key Skills: Employment law, governance, policy
Median Annual Salary: $107,400
MLS Specialization: Employment or Dispute Resolution (depending on role responsibilities)
Human resources directors oversee employee relations, workplace policies, and compliance with employment regulations. They’re responsible for handling disputes, ensuring fair practices, and advising leadership on workplace issues. An MLS in employment law helps HR leaders grasp regulations that affect hiring, workplace safety, and organizational governance.
Government and Policy Jobs
Government Program Analyst
Key Skills: Policy evaluation, research, regulatory compliance
Median Annual Salary: $94,100
MLS Specialization: Government
Government program analysts evaluate public programs to ensure they’re effectively meeting the needs of populations they’re meant to serve. They gather data, conduct research, and prepare reports that support policy decisions. An MLS with a focus in government or policy can provide the background needed to interpret laws and recommend improvements.
Legislative/Regulatory Affairs Specialist
Key Skills: Legislative process, policy analysis
Median Annual Salary: $90,500
MLS Specialization: Government
Regulatory affairs specialists monitor laws and regulations that affect organizations. They interpret policy changes, prepare compliance reports, and communicate requirements to both leadership and staff. An MLS with coursework in government or policy helps professionals understand legal developments and their impact on operations.
Nonprofit and Advocacy Jobs
NGO Program Director
Key Skills: Program management, governance
Median Annual Salary: $81,300
MLS Specialization: Compliance, Government, or Social Justice (depending on nonprofit type)
Program directors at nonprofits manage initiatives, oversee governance, and ensure compliance with nonprofit laws. They also coordinate fundraising and program delivery. An MLS can support directors with the expertise to align mission goals with legal and regulatory requirements.
Ethics & Risk Advisor
Key Skills: Compliance, ethics, risk management
Median Annual Salary: $100,100
MLS Specialization: Compliance or Litigation and Legal Process
Ethics and risk advisors help organizations develop ethical practices and identify potential risks. They recommend compliance measures and advise leadership on transparency and accountability. With training in compliance and ethics, MLS graduates can strengthen organizational integrity and reduce exposure to impactful risks.
Tech, IP, and Startup Jobs
IP Licensing Manager
Key Skills: Contract negotiation, IP law
Median Annual Salary: $91,900
MLS Specialization: Intellectual Property
IP licensing managers oversee agreements related to patents, trademarks, and copyrights. They negotiate contracts, manage licensing portfolios, and ensure compliance with intellectual property law. An MLS in intellectual property law allows professionals to protect assets effectively.
Tech Policy Analyst
Key Skills: Technology regulation, policy writing
Median Annual Salary: $87,900
MLS Specialization: Litigation and Legal Process or Government
Tech policy analysts research regulations on issues like data privacy and cybersecurity. They prepare reports, write policy recommendations, and guide organizations on regulatory impacts. An MLS with technology and policy coursework gives analysts the legal knowledge to address emerging technology challenges.
Legal Operations Lead (Startups)
Key Skills: Risk management, business strategy
Median Annual Salary: $118,500
MLS Specialization: Business, Start-Ups and Entrepreneurship, Litigation and Legal Process, or Compliance (depending on responsibilities)
Legal operations leads in startups establish compliance processes, manage contracts, and oversee risk management. They also ensure the business grows within legal requirements and maintains investor confidence. An MLS in business and start-up law helps professionals set up frameworks for sustainable growth.
How Does Legal Knowledge Strengthen Strategic Decision-Making Skills?
A Master of Legal Studies degree gives professionals the skills to identify risks, evaluate compliance requirements, and ensure adherence to regulations. All of these crucial skills support better, more informed decision-making in complex environments.
Here are three ways that MLS graduates support strategic decision-making in their organizations:
- Confidently navigating complex legal situations: Organizations in regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, and technology need leaders who can interpret new regulations, respond to audits, and inform executives about potential impacts of legislation.
- Building ethical and risk-resilient organizations: Compliance and risk management are essential skills for any leader, and when applied they support low-risk and ethical organizational frameworks.
- Bridging knowledge gaps across teams and functions: MLS graduates link legal experts and operational teams, translating legal guidance into actionable steps for HR, finance, operations, and strategy functions.
Career Benefits of a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Degree
An MLS degree presents measurable advantages in career advancement, organizational value, and growth potential:
- Lead policy, governance, and compliance strategy: MLS graduates have the credibility to support decision-making in complex, regulated environments. They can help develop organizational policy, design compliance programs, and influence governance practices.
- Gain cross-sector versatility without a JD: With expertise in legal foundations and regulatory compliance, MLS graduates can contribute legal insights to finance, government, technology, healthcare, nonprofit management, and more.
Is a Master of Legal Studies Worth It?
For professionals who want to expand their legal knowledge without practicing law, an MLS offers strong career mobility and earning potential.
Especially for professionals with existing experience or a desire to pivot to compliance, corporate governance, regulatory affairs, or risk management, an MLS can give you the specialized legal expertise you need to move into higher-paying, leadership-track roles in only one to two years.
With this knowledge and expanded skillset, you’ll be positioned to advance to leadership positions or expand your responsibilities to more complex opportunities.
In 2023, legal occupations were the highest paid occupation group in the U.S., with a national average salary of $149,513.
— Data USA
The MLS at UC Law SF: Legal Expertise for Non-Lawyers
The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) gives career-driven professionals the skills they need to lead their organizations through complex regulations and navigate the legal system with confidence. Through a comprehensive 24-credit curriculum, professionals will gain a broad legal foundation. You can also choose one of our 15 specializations, create your own, or work through a general curriculum for a well-rounded legal education.
Students have the option to complete the program in one to two years through a variety of flexible modalities:
- Fully online, with asynchronous courses
- Fully online, with synchronous sessions
- Hybrid schedule, with online and on-campus learning
The University of California Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) was established as the first law school of the University of California system. Located in the heart of San Francisco, UC Law SF provides students with crucial connections to distinguished faculty and industry leaders at an affordable tuition rate.
Download a brochure to learn more today, or get started on your application!
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To learn more about the Master of Legal Studies program offered by UC Law SF and download a free brochure, please fill out the form. You can also talk one-on-one with an enrollment specialist by calling (415) 849-9748.