Arizona State University’s Master of Legal Studies offers a unique opportunity to understand U.S. law without pursuing a full law degree. This program lays the groundwork in legal analysis, writing and concepts, with the option to choose electives that align with your career goals. Designed for professionals seeking to enhance their careers or transition to new fields, you’ll graduate equipped with practical legal knowledge and skills.
Pursuant to American Bar Association standards, no law credits completed prior to admission to a JD program, including credits earned in the Master of Legal Studies program, may be transferred to a future Juris Doctor program under any circumstances.
Quick Facts
Full-time
30 credit hours
Campus Immersion or Online
Downtown Phoenix Campus
STEM-OPT Option not Available
Students enrolled at an ASU Cintana Alliance Network institution have the chance to start their courses at their home institution and transfer those credits* to finish their remaining years at ASU.
Models available: Graduate dual degree and accelerated masters.
SDO 522: Conflict Theory(3)
SDO 524: Psychology of Conflict(3)
SDO 535: Negotiation(3)
SDO 546: Mediation(3)
The program consists of 30 credit hours of approved study.
Required Courses(3)
LAW 581: U.S. Law and Legal Analysis (3)
Students are required to choose one of the following basic foundational courses(3):
LAW 515: Contracts* or LAW 530 Fundamentals of Contract Law (4/3)
LAW 516: Criminal Law (3)
LAW 517: Torts (2/4)
The remainder of the credits are electives(12)
*Transfer eligibility is subject to student performance in bridge courses and Arizona State University transfer requirements.
This course begins with an accelerated introduction to federal administrative agencies, the sources and boundaries of their authority and options for redress for parties aggrieved by administrative actions.
In this course, you’ll review and analyze different principles of the fundamentals of criminal law, including the principles of punishment and burdens of proof.
In this course, you’ll cover the legal protections of personality, property and relational interests against physical, economic and emotional harm.
The Master of Legal Studies degree is designed for those who are looking to obtain working knowledge of the law but do not intend to become practicing lawyers. Graduates have achieved training in complicated legal topics and lawyering skills that prove invaluable to law firms, court systems, government agencies and corporations.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
A minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of an applicant’s bachelor’s program is preferred.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States or attained a comparable degree from a foreign institution.
Proof of English proficiency: (TOEFL>100 iBT or IELTS>7.5, Pearson Test of English>68, Duolingo>105), or a passing score in the English for Graduate Admission online course through ASU Global Launch. All taken within the last two years from start date.
All applicants must submit:
MLS applicants with foreign education credentials must have all transcripts evaluated by the Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. independently evaluates all academic documents issued in countries other than the United States. Students should contact ACEI through that organization’s website to obtain an application for an evaluation.
Applicants must request a course-by-course evaluation and order an official copy be sent directly to:
| Enrollment Path MLS Legal Studies | Credit Hours Completed at Institution | Credit Hours Completed at ASU | Estimated Duration | Total Program Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Articulated Pathway (ASU Cintana Alliance) | 12 | 18 | 1 year (2 semesters) | F2F: ~$33,772, Online: ~$20,887 |
| Direct ASU Enrollment (International student) | 30 | 1.5-2 years (3 semesters) | F2F: ~$54,511, Online: ~$34,749 |
Note 1: This is an estimate only. Based on ASU 2024-25 published tuition and fee rates. Subject to change for future years.
Note 2: Tuition calculation for Articulated Pathway is based on 9 credits (Fall), 9 credits (Spring).
| Program Start | Application Deadline | Classes Begin | Tuition Payment Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring start (January) | November 1, 2024 | January 13, 2025 | January 20, 2025 |
| Summer start (May) | April 27, 2025 | ||
| Fall start (August) | June 1, 2025 | August 21, 2025 | August 25, 2025 |
| Spring start (January) | November 1, 2025 | January 12, 2026 | January 19, 2026 |