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Online Master of Legal Studies
Classes Begin: January 4, 20272 years
Fully Online
45
Top-ranked program: Intelligent.com & The Princeton Review
Given today’s complex regulatory environment, the demand is mounting for professionals in just about every industry who understand the intricacies of legal compliance. That’s why Drexel University Kline School of Law's online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is designed to maximize your career potential and add value to your organization.
The online Master of Legal Studies program provides you with a solid working knowledge of the law – without having to earn a law degree. You’ll graduate with essential knowledge in compliance, legal research and analysis, risk management, ethics, and professional standards. You can select a general Master of Legal Studies or choose from eight specialized concentrations in areas where regulatory compliance is increasingly critical to success.
Request More Information
Learn more about the program by completing the Request More Information form.
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What is Legal Studies?
A program in legal studies is not the same as pursuing a JD. Rather, a degree in legal studies is concerned specifically with how laws and regulations work and how to properly conduct business within them, focusing on courses like risk assessment, compliance, and ethics. Legal studies programs are interdisciplinary, and at Drexel you can tailor much of your curriculum to reflect your specific needs and interests.
Program Rankings
Intelligent.com, a trusted authority in educational rankings, has recognized Drexel as the #9 institution among the “Best 26 Accredited Online Master’s in Legal Studies Programs” for 2025. This prestigious acknowledgement underscores our commitment to delivering top-tier legal education that empowers our students to thrive in today’s complex legal landscape.
The Princeton Review, renowned for its comprehensive assessments, has also distinguished Drexel in their esteemed list of “Best Online Master of Studies in Law Programs for 2025.” This recognition reaffirms our dedication to providing a transformative learning experience that equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the legal field.
Drexel's Master of Legal Studies Online Concentration Areas
You may complete a general Master of Legal Studies or choose a concentration in one or two of the following areas:
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Criminal Law
Prepares you to work within the intricate regulatory environment of today’s criminal justice system, by furnishing you with a solid grounding in criminal law and the rules of criminal procedure. Graduate Certificate also available.
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Cybersecurity & Information Privacy Compliance
Learn how to effectively protect against data exposure and liability, manage data breaches, and comply with the data and privacy regulations businesses deal with on a daily basis. For both technical and non-technical professionals. Graduate Certificate is also available.
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Entrepreneurship & Law
Provides a great understanding of new business through the lens of the law, focusing on compliance and how to keep up to date on the latest rules and policies.
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Financial Regulatory Compliance
Affords an exceptionally detailed study of the financial industry’s complex regulatory structure and compliance requirements, preparing you for in-demand, money-managing positions in both large and small financial institutions. Graduate Certificate is also available.
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Health Care Compliance
Offers a solid working knowledge of the rules and regulations that govern the healthcare industry – such as HIPPA and the ACA – while giving you the necessary tools to ensure that your organization complies with state and federal regulatory requirements. Graduate Certificate also available.
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Higher Education Compliance
Prepares you to understand the laws that regulate institutions and protect students, through an exhaustive study of the legal landscape in higher education with respect to such important issues as FERPA, financial aid, campus safety, risk management and accreditation. Graduate Certificate also available.
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Human Resources Compliance
Provides the expert knowledge and skills you need to deal effectively with critical legal compliance issues that HR professionals encounter every day – from employee hiring and termination to employer/employee relationship management as well as negotiation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution. Graduate Certificate also available.
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NCAA Compliance & Sports Law
Combines a foundational understanding of law and risk management with additional coursework designed to build your compliance proficiency in NCAA regulations that govern the rules of the game – from recruitment and ethical conduct, to eligibility, special benefits and financial aid. Graduate Certificate also available.
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Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Regulatory Compliance
Enhances your knowledge of the legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks surrounding pharmaceutical and medical device research, development, sales, marketing, and related information privacy and compliance issues. Graduate Certificate also available.
Master of Legal Studies Program Features
- Designed specifically for non-lawyers who need a solid understanding of the laws and legal systems that regulate their industry, this program offers specialized skills and expertise that will set you apart from the crowd in your chosen career field.
- You'll study with faculty from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law – a nationally recognized cadre of enthusiastic scholars and experienced practitioners, who not only publish their work in prestigious law journals, but are also often asked to weigh in publicly on important legal issues that affect us all.
- The program also partners with faculty from other Drexel schools (the School of Education and the College of Nursing and Health Professions) to provide interdisciplinary industry perspectives and know-how.
- You’ll learn in a highly interactive environment with peers and professors who are deeply engaged and responsive to your questions and concerns.
- The online format enables you to learn on your own schedule, with the option of taking classes either part-time or full-time.
- Utilize the Kline Graduate Programs Virtual Career Office which is dedicated to helping you reach your career goals via access to job postings, a virtual career classroom, and one-on-one coaching with faculty and alumni
An Accredited Online Legal Studies Program
Both the Thomas R. Kline School of Law Master of Legal Studies – Health Care Compliance Concentration and Graduate Certificate in Health Care Compliance programs are accredited by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB)®. Many employers are now requiring CCB certification for compliance related positions.
The CCB offers certification in the following areas:
- Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)®
- Certified in Healthcare Research Compliance (CHRC)®
- Certified in Healthcare Privacy Compliance (CHPC)®
- Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP)®
- Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional International (CCEP-I)®
CCB Exam Eligibility
Completion of the Kline School of Law's Master of Legal Studies or Graduate Certificate in Health Care Compliance programs with a GPA of 3.0 or higher fulfills the professional work experience and continuing education units (CEU) requirements within applicable eligibility time frames per candidate handbook, allowing you to be eligible to sit for a CCB exam. Learn more about the CCB.
Other Accreditations
- The Thomas R. Kline School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association
- Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Kline School of Law Rankings
Drexel’s Kline School of Law was ranked a Tier 1 law school by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). This ranking places the school in the top three percent of ABA-accredited law schools when it comes to privacy law curriculum.
The School of Law was also ranked among the top 100 law schools by U.S. News & World Report for 2025. Additionally, the School’s Trial Advocacy program is ranked as one of the top ten in country and the Health Law program is one of the top 25.
Is a Master Of Legal Studies Worth It?
Yes - earning a Master of Legal Studies has many benefits, including these 6 reasons why you should enroll in a Master of Legal Studies program:
- Enter the Law Industry without a J.D.
- Apply Your MLS Classes to your Job Immediately
- Find opportunities in Any Industry
- Explosive Job Growth Potential
- Eight Concentrations Available
- Your Success is Drexel’s Priority
Watch the video below to see Dan Filler, Dean of the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Drexel University, discuss these 6 reasons.
What can you do with a Master in Legal Studies?
A Master of Legal Studies can support professionals in a wide array of fields, ensuring that you’re up-to-date with the laws and regulations most relevant to your industry.
Salaries for graduates of a masters in legal studies program can vary greatly depending on their field and position. There really is no "typical" salary range or career title for graduates of this type of program, because the degree can be applied so widely. Common fields that require the expertise learned from the online MLS degree include, but are not limited to:
Professional Role
Median Salary*
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
*2020 figures via Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net
Non-Matriculated Option
We recognize some students may wish to complete online courses within Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law without being enrolled in a degree or certificate-granting program. The non-matriculated option is available for those who wish to take coursework for professional growth without enrolling in a particular degree or certificate program.
Interested in applying as a non-matriculated student? Select "Non-Matriculated – School of Law (Online)" as your program of interest on the online application. Official transcripts and a resume are required. Non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid.
Learn more about non-matriculated options at Drexel University.
Online Legal Studies Faculty Insights
- Learn more about our distinguished faculty as they share thoughts on both the Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Compliance concentration and the industry as a whole.
- Paul Flanagan, Kline School of Law’s Assistant Professor of Law, shares his story of being one of the first chief compliance officers in the country on Drexel’s 10,000 Hours Podcast.
Drexel's 10,000 Hours Podcast: The Roger Federer of Compliance
How do you go from being a nationally ranked tennis player to being a pioneer in the compliance field? Just ask Paul Flanagan, who started out hitting hundreds of backhands a day and ended up being one of the first chief compliance officers in the country. (But his proudest moment is still the time he beat his older sister in tennis.)
Archived Webinars
- Online Open House: Human Resources Compliance Programs
- Online Open House: Master of Legal Studies
- Strategic Challenges Facing the Pharmaceutical Industry
The Drexel Difference: What Makes Our Master of Legal Studies Program Unique?
Learn more about what makes our MLS program unique and what students appreciate most about their experience in the program.
Graduates of Drexel’s Online MLS Degree Give Their Testimonials
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
Curriculum
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.
Drexel University is transitioning to a semester calendar system as of Fall 2027. View the semester program of study for this program.
| Required Core Curriculum Courses | |
| Legal Foundations I | 3.0 |
| Legal Foundations II | 3.0 |
| Compliance Skills: Auditing, Investigation and Reporting | 3.0 |
| Ethics and Professional Standards | 3.0 |
| Risk Assessment and Management | 3.0 |
| MLS Capstone Requirement 1 | 3.0 |
| Master of Legal Studies Compliance Capstone | |
| or | |
| Master of Legal Studies Capstone | |
| Concentration/Electives2 |
12.0-18.0 |
| Select one (1) of the following: | |
| Single Concentration Option- select one (1) concentration from the list below. Twelve (12) elective credits required for this option. |
|
| Double Concentration Option- select two (2) concentrations from the list below. Eighteen (18) elective credits required for this option. |
|
| Electives- select any four (4) graduate level [5000-6000] LSTU (Legal Studies) courses. |
|
| Total Credits | 30.0-36.0 |
- 1 Students who are enrolled in a compliance concentration should complete LSTU 7102 and students who are enrolled in a non-compliance concentration or no concentration should complete LSTU 7104. Students who are double concentrators should consult with their advisor before enrolling in a capstone course.
- 2 Students may select up to two concentration areas. If a student selects two concentration areas, they will be required to complete the concentration specific electives from each concentration area (no open elective will be required). The Special Education Law and Advocacy concentration cannot be combined with any other concentration.
| Criminal Law Concentration | ||
| LSTU 6630 | Corrections Law | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6631 | Criminal Law | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6632 | Criminal Procedure: Investigations | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
| Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Compliance Concentration | ||
| LSTU 6660 | Information Privacy Law | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6661 | The Law and Strategies Surrounding Cybersecurity | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6662 | European Union Data Privacy and Protection | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
| Entrepreneurship and Law Concentration | ||
| Select three (3) courses from the list below: | 9.0 | |
| ENTP 5501 | Entrepreneurship Practice and Mindset | |
| ENTP 5535 | Social Entrepreneurship | |
| ENTP 5575 | Entrepreneurship in Education | |
| ENTP 6515 | Pitch It! | |
| ENTP 6601 | Social and Sustainable Innovation | |
| ENTP 6611 | Learning from Failure | |
| ENTP 6641 | Innovation in Established Companies | |
| ENTP 6671 | Life After Launch | |
| ENTP 6681 | The Startup Way: How to Drive Innovation in Entrepreneurial Companies | |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
| Financial Regulatory Compliance Concentration | ||
| Select three (3) courses from the list below: | 9.0 | |
| LSTU 6649 | Foundations of Financial Regulation | |
| LSTU 6650 | Global Financial Crimes Compliance | |
| LSTU 6651 | Legal Regulation of Investment Advisers | |
| LSTU 6652 | Legal Regulation of Investment Companies | |
| LSTU 6653 | Broker-Dealer Regulation | |
| LSTU 6654 | Banking Law | |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
| Health Care Compliance Concentration | ||
| LSTU 6600 | Health Care Rules and Regulations | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6601 | Health Care Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6602 | Patients and Privacy: HIPAA and Related Regulations | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
| Higher Education Compliance Concentration | ||
|
LSTU 6640
|
Legal Landscape of Student Rights and Campus Safety | 3.0 |
|
LSTU 6641
|
Institutional Compliance: Aid and Accreditation | 3.0 |
|
LSTU 6642
|
Higher Education Institutions: Financial Rules and Regulations | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
| Human Resources Compliance Concentration | ||
|
LSTU 6620
|
Human Resources Compliance: Legal Issues in Employee Hiring and Termination | 3.0 |
|
LSTU 6621
|
Human Resources Compliance: Managing the Employer-Employee Relationship | 3.0 |
|
LSTU 6622
|
Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration, and other Workplace Conflict Resolution Methods | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
| NCAA Compliance Concentration | ||
| LSTU 6610 | NCAA Governance I: Division I | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6611 | NCAA Governance II- Division II and III | 3.0 |
| LSTU 6612 | NCAA Infractions and Enforcement Processes | 3.0 |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
| Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Regulatory Compliance Concentration | ||
| Select three (3) courses from the list below: | 9.0 | |
|
LSTU 5555
|
Compliance Communications | |
|
LSTU 5570
|
Health Care Fraud: Regulation, Investigation, and Enforcement | |
|
LSTU 5571
|
Legal Issues for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare | |
|
LSTU 6602
|
Patients and Privacy: HIPAA and Related Regulations | |
|
LSTU 6603
|
Legal Regulation of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Research and Development | |
|
LSTU 6604
|
Legal Regulation of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Sales and Marketing Practices | |
|
LSTU 6605
|
Food and Drug Law | |
|
LSTU 6660
|
Information Privacy Law | |
|
LSTU 6661
|
The Law and Strategies Surrounding Cybersecurity | |
|
LSTU 6662
|
European Union Data Privacy and Protection | |
| Graduate Level LSTU (Legal Studies) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
| Special Education Law and Advocacy Concentration | ||
| EDEX 5020 | Special Education Law, Policy, and Practice | 3.0 |
| EDEX 6610 | Special Education Advocacy | 3.0 |
| EDEX 6120 | Special Education Law, Advocacy and Collaborative Team Facilitation | 3.0 |
| EDEX 7100 | Special Education Law and Policy | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- GPA of at least 3.0
- If you don't meet this requirement you're still encouraged to apply and your file will be reviewed on an individual basis
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- One letter of recommendation (professional or academic)
- Letter should speak to your performance and accomplishments, and attest to your ability to succeed within the program
- The department may request a second letter of recommendation
- Submit one of the following:
- Academic Writing Sample
- Submit a previously graded academic paper
- A Problem of Practice (750-word maximum)
- Identify and describe a problem of practice relevant to your current (or a former) context of professional practice
- Describe the significance of this problem to this organization
- Based on your present understanding of the problem, discuss the potential underlying causes and contributing factors that have created the current challenges
- What questions could be explored to learn more about the problem that may help to create potential solutions
- Academic Writing Sample
- Resume
- Quality and quantity of professional experience will be evaluated
- Standardized test score reports (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT) can be submitted, but are not required
- Additional requirements for International Students
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2026-2027 is $995 per credit.
For the academic year 2026-2027, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
- This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- These rates apply only to fully online courses. Hybrid or on-campus courses may have different rates.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans, you may not be able to combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2026-2027 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2026
September 22, 2026
December 5, 2026
December 7, 2026
December 12, 2026
Winter 2027
January 4, 2027
March 13, 2027
March 15, 2027
March 20, 2027
Spring 2027
March 29, 2027
June 5, 2027
June 7, 2027
June 12, 2027
Summer 2027
June 21, 2027
August 7, 2027
August 9, 2027
August 14, 2027
2027-2028 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2027
August 23, 2027
December 8, 2027
December 13, 2027
December 17, 2027
Spring 2028
January 10, 2028
April 24, 2028
April 27, 2028
May 3, 2028
Summer 2028
May 15, 2028
August 5, 2028
August 7, 2028
August 11, 2028
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