New degree offers options for legal professionals
Somewhere between a law degree and struggling to decipher legal language with just a bachelor’s, there now lies another possibility: The master of legal studies.
Not nearly a juris doctor but considerably beyond the coursework in undergraduate business law and government classes, this and similar degrees are an option for a range of professionals, from legislative staff and patent examiners to corrections officers and public advocates.
“They need to know the law, but they don’t want to practice the law,” said Megan M. LaBelle, an associate professor at Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law.
MLS graduates will able to read, find, understand and apply the law in myriad situations, whether they’re small-business owners or court administrators, LaBelle said. “There’s a market nationwide, but in Washington there’s a substantial market.”
Catholic’s program welcomed its first class this fall. The University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law will inaugurate its master of science in law program in fall 2015. Both are geared at working professionals. The Catholic program is part-time with evening classes, allowing students to complete the program in as little as one year or to take as long as four. Maryland’s will be a two-year evening program.
“Law schools are changing, and people are changing,” said Susan Krinsky, associate dean for students and student services at Carey. “Law schools are beginning to recognize that we’re uniquely positioned to meet this need.”
The need, officials at both schools agree, is for professionals fluent in the knowledge and analytical skills needed to understand legalese, whether it’s a complex report or a conversation with attorneys.
Both programs offer a chance to specialize. At Catholic, students can concentrate on compliance, human resources or intellectual property. Maryland will offer specialties in crisis management or environmental or health care law.
Maryland selected its specialty tracks based on demand in law schools for that training. “They also are fields where people would benefit from having some legal training,” said Barbara Gotrum, the school’s associate dean for academic affairs.
Graduates will not be eligible to take bar exams to become licensed to practice, nor will they be able to transfer credits from the MLS program to the juris doctor program. For that reason, LaBelle encourages students to think carefully before enrolling.
BIOS:
Cassie Schupp
AGE: 26
HOMETOWN: Arlington, Va.
OTHER DEGREE: Drew University, bachelor’s in behavioral science
GRADUATE PROGRAM: George Mason University, master’s of real estate management
WORK EXPERIENCE: Worked in a family-owned real estate development company since 2011. Position involves working with all aspects of real estate, including, financing, construction, and leasing.
WHY WAS GETTING AN ADVANCED DEGREE IMPORTANT? “It was not long after undergrad that I realized I wanted to pursue a career in real estate development. Unfortunately, I had little financial experience. I knew getting hired by a top firm would be unlikely without strong understanding of the development process, including investment analysis and a proficiency in excel. After talking to several peers and colleagues it was clear this program would help me achieve my goals.”
Deena Miers
AGE: 27
HOMETOWN: Naperville, Ill.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE: Purdue University, bachelor’s in political science
GRADUATE PROGRAM: University of Maryland online MBA
WORK EXPERIENCE: Several years in sales
WHY ONLINE? ”I chose my online program because I couldn’t run back and forth to campus after work. I did this for a while in my first master’s program and it was tough. Now that I’m in the online MBA program I can have a bit more time to do my classwork because I have no travel time.”
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