10 Best Master of Legal Studies Programs

The Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law– also known as ASU Law- was founded in 1965 in Phoenix, Arizona. It has been an impressive, affordable institution from its inception. It is the highest-ranked law school in the state, ranked at the 7th best public law school in the country, and the 24th highest of all law schools in the United States.

The University of Arizona Law was founded in 1915 in Tucson, AZ, and is considered one of the country’s top law schools. Though the school provides an excellent education- both online and on-campus- it remains one of the most affordable choices. Additionally, thanks to the year-round sunny days, mountain ranges, bike paths, and more, the University of Arizona Law is a favorite among students who love being outdoors.

Philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel founded Drexel University in 1891. Located in Philadelphia, Drexel began as an institute of the arts, sciences, and industry. At that time, it did not grant degrees but rather provided knowledge and skills for work. Since that time, Drexel has expanded to 15 colleges and a wide range of degree programs.

UCLA Law was founded in 1949 with the goal of creating the first public law school in Southern California. The school continued its forward-thinking by creating the Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) Program to serve professionals who may not want to become lawyers, but do want to advance in the private, nonprofit or government sectors. The M.L.S. degree is designed for those looking to enhance their skill set and connections by obtaining an advance degree from the #1 Public University in American and the #1 Law School in Southern California.

In 1909, the University of Oklahoma’s College of Law was founded, though it did not get its permanent home for another six years. Thanks to the students lobbying, the state-funded the construction of what is known as the Law Barn. Now, the school has a much larger facility but still keeps its enrollment small. OU Law students enjoy targeted attention and a state-of-the-art campus.

In 1898, the Boston, Massachusetts YMCA founded Northeastern University School of Law as a night school. Over the years, other campuses were opened in Providence and Springfield. By 1969, Northeastern was accredited by the American Bar Association and has been providing quality legal education ever since.

The Washington University School of Law– also known as WashULaw- was originally founded in 1843 as Saint Louis University School of Law. It officially changed names in 1867. Since that time, it has made a name for itself in many areas. It is constantly ranked as one of the top 20 universities and top 20 law schools in the country. It’s also considered one of the top schools in the quality of life category for its students.

West Virginia University (WVU) was once the Agricultural College of West Virginia. It was established as a small college in 1867 but has grown to an ongoing 30,000 students across all campuses. WVU has graduated 25 Rhodes Scholars and many other highly successful alumni. Students can choose from more than 350 degree programs for a very affordable price.

Seattle University School of Law was founded in 1972 as the University of Puget Sound School of Law. Its first-class consisted of 427 students and fewer than ten full-time staff members, a diverse mix of races and genders. In 1994, Seattle University acquired the school and changed its name, but its welcoming spirit has remained.

Pepperdine University School of Law got its start in 1969 in Malibu, California. It has since spread around the world with campuses in Los Angeles, D.C., and London. They also provide classes that can be completed online. It’s a private school with small enrollment numbers, so it can focus more attention on its students.