The Average Salary with Masters in Legal Studies Degree : Masters in Legal Studies

The legal industry has a reputation of being a high-paying field, but what if you don’t work as a lawyer? By earning your masters in legal studies, you’ll be better equipped to understand laws in your specific field, but will you make a higher salary? Let’s look at the average salary you can expect to earn if you go back to school to get this kind of advanced degree.

Salary by Position

The number one factor that effect the salary you’ll earn after you graduate with a masters in legal studies is the position you take. Typically, if you earn this type of degree, you don’t work in a strictly law-based career, but rather in a career where the law matters, such as healthcare, real estate, or commerce. You can also earn this type of degree if you have aspirations of working in a law-related position, but do not want to become a lawyer. For example, as a paralegal, you can expect to earn an average of $43,040 and up to around $70,000 if you work for a larger law firm and gain experience in the field. You could also work as a legal advocate, where you can expect to earn an average of $44.02 per hour or an investigator, where you can expect to earn an average annual salary of $41,760.

High-Paying Indsutries

Certain industries are exploding right now, and workers with a strong knowledge of the law are needed to fill positions. By working in one of these industries where employers with advanced degrees are in high demand, you can expect to make a higher salary. The environmental industries, for example, is hot right now, so you may want to consider a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy or a related field and then go on to get your masters of legal studies and take as many environmental-related classes as possible. The tech industry and healthcare industry are also fields where workers who know the law are in extremely high demand.

Salary by Location

If you’re interested in making more money as someone who has a masters in legal studies, location is important. You’ll make more money if you work and live in a larger city, with places like New York and Washington D.C. being hot spots for those with this kind of expertise. Certain industries are also based in certain states, so you can make more money if you move to one of these high-need areas.

A masters in legal studies degree is reserved for professionals who wish to study law without becoming attorneys. Topics covered within a master of legal studies program are often similar to the topics covered by a first year J.D. candidate, and may include constitutional law, civil procedure, and contracts. While J.D. programs typically last three years, many masters in legal studies programs last just one. Below are the top online colleges offering masters degrees in legal studies and closely related programs including Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement.

MPS in Paralegal Studies	George Washington University : The George Washington University Master of Professional Studies in paralegal studies program trains students to become dedicated legal assistants. As a paralegal, you will be a key member of the legal team, providing in depth and substantive research. Start your career in this exciting field at one of America's top universities.
MS in Legal Studies MS/LS: Education & Law MS/LS: Healthcare Delivery MS/LS: State & Local Govt.	Kaplan University : Kaplan University's MS in Legal Studies offers specializations in education law, healthcare delivery, and government. These programs are perfect for those who are interested in legal and social issues and wish to incorporate legal knowledge into their careers, without the pressures of law school or bar exams. Graduates leave with a strong foundation of legal knowledge.
MS in Forensic Psychology	Walden University : Walden University's MS in Forensic Psychology with a focus on psychology and legal systems is a high level program that teaches research methods, forensic assessments, and how to improve programs for incarcerated and released offenders. The combination of psychology and legal systems allows students to better understand expert testimony, jury selection, and effective communications with police departments.
MS/LS: Law & Policy MS/LS: Homeland Security	California University of Pennsylvania : The California University of Pennsylvania's MS in Legal Studies (MS/LS) degree offers concentrations in law and public policy, and in homeland security. Students with the law & public policy specialization learn about the police process, civil liberties and the constitution, litigation, and forensics. Students concentrating on homeland security also learn the basics of civil liberties and how to balance them with the need for security and criminal justice.
LLM in Technology & IP Law LLM in Intl. Business Law LLM in Intl. Fin/Bank Law	University of Liverpool : The University of Liverpool LLM in technology & intellectual property law, LLM in international business law, and LLM in international finance & banking law provide advanced instruction in business law, global financial/commercial law, and technology and intellectual property law.
MS in Law	Champlain College : Champlain College, a highly-regarded and respected educator in the industry, offers a Masters of Science in Law both onsite as well as through online courses. The online courses have the added benefit of flexibility in choosing when and where to work on and turn in assignments. This is a great option for those who must balance education with their personal lives.
MS in Legal Studies	Grand Canyon University : Grand Canyon University's MS in Criminal Justice with a focus on Legal Studies is intended for law enforcement, corrections, probation, and parole officers who wish to advance in their careers. Students study law enforcement management, leadership, procedures for criminal investigations, psychology in the legal system, punishment methods, and the criminal justice system at all government levels.
MS in Legal Studies	Capella University : Capella University's MS in Legal Studies is a management specialization that allows students to earn an advanced HR degree in employment and labor law. This is especially useful for employee benefits managers and those who have to interpret workplace laws and regulations. Students learn the practice and theory of labor and employment law, discrimination, investigation, and workplace legal communications.
MS in Criminal Justice	South University : South University's MS in Criminal Justice program incorporates technology and criminology in a curriculum designed to create criminal justice specialists. Students learn about law enforcement, corrections, cyber crime and security, emergency response, and politics affecting criminal justice. Four specializations are available in Homeland Security, Corrections, Cyber Crime, and Public Administration.
MS in Justice Admin.	University of Phoenix : The University of Phoenix MS in Administration of Justice & Security provides the knowledge and credentials needed for students to administer criminal justice and security programs. Courses cover criminological theory, critical incident and risk management, cyber-crime, forensics and profiling, physical security, and program development, with an emphasis on administrative responsibilities.
MS in Criminal Justice	Virginia College : Virginia College's MS in Criminal Justice is designed for the working law enforcement professional who wants to advance to police detective, police officer, private security, parole officer or case manager, courtroom administrator or corrections officer. The curriculum covers petty crimes to white-collar crime investigations, and prepares students for leadership and managerial positions in the criminal justice system.
MA in Criminal Justice	Keiser University : Keiser University's MA in criminal justice is designed to help advance students' careers in the criminal justice fields. Coursework includes theory, practice, and techniques in criminal justice, along with analyzing and solving problems using applied research methods. The program covers the basics of corrections, law enforcement, and administration along with the laws and policies that affect criminal justice.
MA in Criminal Justice	University of Massachusetts : The University of Massachusetts MA in Criminal Justice program develops leadership skills and administrative knowledge in its students through academically rigorous practical coursework. The program is intended for students already working in the criminal justice system who want to specialize in another area, or who wish to advance their careers and take on management roles.
MS in Criminal Justice	St. Joseph's University : St. Joseph's University's MS in Criminal Justice program allows students to create their own unique graduate work to match their interests and career goals in criminal justice. The unusually flexible program enables students to pursue a degree beyond the Master's or focus on management skills necessary to advance their current careers.