Choosing between a Master of Legal Studies, a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws isn’t about which is “better,” it’s about which one fits your goals and experience. Each degree may solve a different professional challenge, from advancing in a regulated industry to practicing law to deepening expertise in a specialized legal field. This guide walks through how the three credentials differ so you can identify which path aligns with your goals.
Jump to:
- What Is a Master of Legal Studies (MLS)?
- What Is a Juris Doctor (JD)?
- What Is a Master of Laws (LLM)?
- MLS vs. JD vs. LLM: Side-by-Side Comparison
- Career Paths and Salary Outlook
- MLS vs. JD vs. LLM: Which Legal Degree Is Right for You?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Master of Legal Studies (MLS)?
The Master of Legal Studies is a graduate degree built for professionals whose work regularly intersects with the law but who do not intend to practice as attorneys. Some institutions may call the same credential a Master of Studies in Law (MSL).
Many programs offer opportunities to specialize your studies, but the core MLS curriculum typically covers areas such as:
- Compliance and risk
- Contract review and development
- Regulatory affairs and administrative law
- Legal research and writing
Admissions usually do not require the LSAT or GRE, which lowers the barrier for working professionals returning to school. However, the degree does not confer bar eligibility, does not qualify graduates to practice law and is not a substitute for a Juris Doctor. It is designed to sharpen legal fluency for careers that operate alongside the law.
What Is a Juris Doctor (JD)?
The Juris Doctor is the professional degree required to practice law in the United States. Admission to JD programs generally requires a bachelor’s degree and a competitive score on the LSAT, though some ABA-accredited schools now accept the GRE as an alternative.
First-year coursework across most JD programs covers the same foundational subjects, including:
- Torts
- Civil procedure
- Constitutional law
- Contracts
- Criminal law
- Property
- Legal research and writing
Upper-level study allows students to specialize through electives, clinics and externships. Graduating from an ABA-accredited JD program is the standard prerequisite for sitting for a state bar exam, though each jurisdiction sets its own admission rules.
What Is a Master of Laws (LLM)?
The Master of Laws is an advanced law degree for people who already hold a first degree in law. Admission typically requires a JD from an ABA-accredited school or a qualifying foreign law degree, and standardized tests such as the LSAT or GRE are generally not required.
The LLM serves two distinct audiences. For U.S.-trained attorneys, it deepens expertise in a chosen field. For internationally trained lawyers, it introduces the U.S. legal system and, in some jurisdictions, opens a pathway toward bar eligibility.
Programs vary in structure and available concentrations, but common areas of focus in an LLM curriculum include:
- Tax law
- Intellectual property
- International law
- Business and commercial law
- U.S. law for foreign-trained attorneys
MLS vs. JD vs. LLM: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Master of Legal Studies | Juris Doctor | Master of Laws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target audience | Non-lawyer professionals in regulated fields | Aspiring practicing attorneys | JD holders or foreign-trained lawyers |
| Licensure eligibility | Not bar eligible | Standard prerequisite for the bar | Jurisdiction-dependent for foreign-trained lawyers |
| Typical program length | 1–2 years | 3 years full time | 1-2 years full time |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor’s degree; no LSAT or GRE typically required | Bachelor’s degree; LSAT or GRE | JD or qualifying foreign law degree |
| Curriculum focus | Compliance, contracts, regulatory affairs | Torts, civil procedure, constitutional law | Specialized fields such as tax, intellectual property or international law |
To download a program brochure and learn more about the online graduate law programs at WashU Law, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an enrollment specialist directly by calling us at 314-597-3365.
Career Paths and Salary Outlook
Each degree opens a different set of professional doors. Salary figures below reflect data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics unless otherwise specified.
Careers With a Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
MLS graduates pursue careers where legal fluency is a differentiator rather than a licensure requirement.
- Compliance Officer: Ensures organizations meet legal and regulatory requirements; median annual wage of $80,730.
- Paralegal or Legal Assistant: Supports attorneys with research, drafting and case management; median annual wage of $62,890.
- Contract Manager: Oversees the drafting, negotiation and administration of agreements between organizations and their vendors, partners or clients; median annual wage of $117,600.
- Human Resources Specialist: Manages employment law compliance, policy and workforce relations; median annual wage of $75,940.
Careers With a Juris Doctor (JD)
The JD is the gateway to roles that require bar admission or extensive legal training.
- Lawyer: Advises and represents clients in civil or criminal matters; median annual wage of $159,670.
- Judge or Hearing Officer: Oversees court proceedings and issues rulings; median annual wage of $153,990 for judges and magistrates.
- Law Professor: Teaches and produces scholarship at accredited law schools, often requiring a strong practice or clerkship record; mean annual wage of $144,770.
- Judicial Law Clerk: Assists judges with research and opinion drafting, frequently a launchpad into litigation or academia; mean annual wage of $72,950.
Careers With a Master of Laws (LLM)
An LLM tends to sharpen expertise for attorneys who want to command a specific area of law. The LLM degree can lead to careers such as:
- Specialized Attorney: Practices in a focused field such as tax, intellectual property or securities; specialties frequently pay above the general lawyer median of $159,670, per the National Association for Law Placement (NALP).
- In-house Counsel: Advises a single organization on contracts, compliance and regulatory strategy; compensation varies widely by industry, with 2024 median total pay around $300,000 according to Above the Law’s annual compensation report.
- Administrative Law Judge or Hearing Officer: Adjudicates disputes in regulatory or agency settings; median annual wage of $117,860.
MLS vs. JD vs. LLM: Which Legal Degree Is Right for You?
The right choice depends on what you want to do with your legal degree:
- Choose a Master of Legal Studies if you work in a regulated field and need deeper command of the law without practicing as an attorney.
- Choose a Juris Doctor if your goal is to become a licensed, practicing attorney in the United States.
- Choose a Master of Laws if you already hold a JD and want to specialize, or if you are a foreign-trained lawyer seeking U.S. legal education.
Still weighing your options? Talk with an enrollment specialist about how your professional background, timeline and goals align with each degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an LLM qualify you for the bar in every state?
Not necessarily. Bar admission rules vary by state, and only some jurisdictions allow LLM graduates, particularly foreign-trained lawyers, to sit for the exam. Most states that do require specific coursework, credit minimums or a credential evaluation through their bar admission agency. The National Conference of Bar Examiners recommends consulting the relevant jurisdiction directly before enrolling.
LLM vs. JD: Is an LLM a better choice than a JD for foreign lawyers if they want to practice law in the U.S.?
Bar eligibility for foreign-trained lawyers varies by state. Some jurisdictions, including New York and California, allow foreign-trained lawyers to sit for the bar after completing a qualifying LLM, but each state sets its own requirements, including rules about online coursework. If you plan to sit for a specific bar exam, check with that state’s board of law examiners before choosing a program.
What concentrations are available in an MLS or LLM program?
Common areas of focus include taxation, intellectual property, health law, compliance, international law and business law. Specific offerings vary by school.
WashU Law, for example, offers concentrations for both its Master of Legal Studies and Master of Laws, along with dedicated taxation-focused tracks through the Master of Legal Studies in Taxation and Master of Laws in Taxation.
How much does an MLS, JD or LLM cost?
Cost varies significantly by degree type, program length and institution. Full-time JD tuition for one academic year at ABA-accredited law schools averaged $51,905 for non-residents in 2024, with three-year sticker-price totals often exceeding $200,000 at top-20 institutions. Master’s-level programs typically cost less because they are shorter, though the specific figure depends on the school and the credit load. WashU Law’s online programs sit within a top-15 institution, which is a common benchmark for weighing academic quality against investment.
Interested in WashU Law’s Online MLS or LLM?
WashU Law offers online legal degrees designed for working professionals. Explore the programs to see how the curriculum aligns with your career goals.
Legal Skills for Highly Regulated Industries: WashU Law’s Legal Education Programs
WashU Law’s online graduate programs in law are designed for leaders who want to make confident decisions in risk-driven environments where law, regulation and policy drive strategic direction. Whether you’re leading operational processes or advancing your legal practice, WashU Law’s rigorous curricula lets you develop high-level analytical skills, without the need to pause your career.
We offer four programs, all taught by faculty who are true experts in their fields:
- Master of Legal Studies: Earn a world-class legal education with concentration options that enhance your career — no prior legal experience required.
- Master of Legal Studies in Taxation: Navigate decision-making in tax law processes with a specialized understanding of tax law complexities across legal, finance, business and government sectors.
- Master of Laws in U.S. Law: Through a rigorous curriculum and specialized concentrations, build the specialized knowledge of U.S. law you need to more effectively practice in today’s global legal environment.
- Master of Laws in Taxation: Designed for JD graduates looking to grow their legal toolkit, this program enables you to transition into tax-focused roles and thrive in a crucial legal area.
Online learning at WashU Law is designed for working professionals who want the engagement of a residential classroom with the flexibility of an online program. Plus, all students can participate in on-campus immersion experiences, supervised research projects and a legal externship. Students also have access to virtual events that connect them to the wider WashU Law community.
Download a brochure to learn more, or start your application today.