If you have an interest in the law and social issues and wish to incorporate that interest into your career, consider earning a Master of Science in Legal Studies at Kaplan University. Our online program is designed for busy, working adults from diverse career and cultural backgrounds who want to further their knowledge of the legal system without the pressures of law school or studying for the bar exam. When you complete this online program you will earn the valuable credentials many employers demand, while acquiring legal knowledge and skills you can apply throughout your future career.

A Career-Oriented Master's Degree


This program was developed by professionals in law, social science, and teaching, and is guided by a national advisory board of subject matter experts in a variety of law-related areas. The curriculum is outcomes-oriented, which means we challenge you with real-world experiences to help you develop skills relevant to a variety of career fields. Each course includes a clearly defined set of goals, so you always know what is expected of you and how you are doing. Our online class sizes are limited, so you will receive the level of personal attention you desire.

 Program Highlights 

Start building a strong foundation of legal knowledge by completing the program's core requirements. These specialized online courses are designed to help you:

  • Develop practical skills in dispute resolution, ethical decision making, legal terminology and writing, and use of the law library
  • Focus on how to apply legal principles and concepts to solve real-world social, economic, political, and institutional problems within a professional context
  • Reflect on the ethical and moral implications of the law and legal processes
  • Complete a practicum and a research report to demonstrate your ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in your online coursework to real-world legal scenarios

 Intensive Study Areas for the Master of Science in Legal Studies 

To further develop your expertise, you may choose electives that focus on one of the following intensive study areas:
    Study to develop basic financial competence required to of financial literacy to fulfill legal requirements for health care organizations. Explore the roles and relationships between federal and state governments in the delivery of health care services. Study federal statutes related to Medicare, Medicaid, Stark, and HIPAA and the contractual, legal, and procedural aspects of the relationship of professionals to health care institutions. Coursework involves role playing to simulate real-world negotiations within health care organizations.
    Explore the organization, function, and interaction within state governments. Examine American local, state, and federal legislative institutions and the processes used to enact new legislation. Cases will be used to explore the judicial role in the legislative process. Engage in hands-on exercises to gain an understanding of how administrative agencies develop policy issues produce administrative rulings and supporting memoranda.

    Explore intellectual property law as it applies to music, digital media, and other forms of entertainment. Examine content ownership and distribution, syndication, and licensing. Study current issues and future changes in the music industry as they relate to content generation, exposure, and revenue.

    Examine the legal foundations for the establishment of colleges and universities in the United States as well as the rules and regulations governing administration, funding sources, and accreditation. Explore aspects of managing an institution of higher learning and review policies affecting federal and state funding, budgeting, and sources of financial support.

 Curriculum for the Master of Science in Legal Studies 

    Courses Credits
    Legal Method and Process 5
    Ethics and the Professional 5
    Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing 5
    Jurisprudence and Legal History 5
    Applied Research in Legal Studies 5
    Applied Research Project* 5
    Choose one
    Understanding Civil Responsibility 5
    Understanding Criminal Responsibility
    Family and the Legal System
    Contracts as Private Law
    Courses Credits
    Intensive Study Area Requirements or General Electives 20
    Courses Credits
    Health Care Organizations and Finance 5
    Federalism and the Health Care Delivery System 5
    Professionals and Health Care Institutions 5
    Courses Credits
    Organization and Function of State Government 5
    Legislative Process 5
    Gubernatorial and Administrative Process 5
    Courses Credits
    Intellectual Property and Digital Entertainment 5
    Music Content IP—Building Blocks of the Music Business 5
    Current and Future Issues in Music Law 5
    Courses Credits
    Legal Foundations for the Formation of Colleges and Universities 5
    Rules and Regulations Governing Higher Education 5
    Management of Institutions of Higher Education 5
    Total Program Requirements 55

 What Are the Career Opportunities? 

When you graduate with a Master of Science in Legal Studies you may qualify for a variety of positions requiring legal expertise, such as risk manager or compliance officer. Administrative positions requiring knowledge of the law may be found in health care organizations, such as HMOs, insurance companies, and regulatory agencies. The knowledge, skills, and experience you acquire while earning your master's degree may help you stand out to employers when competing for senior management and administration positions with corporations, nonprofit organizations, associations, membership groups, educational institutions, or government agencies.

For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

  

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$368.00
Total program requirements55
Total cost of tuition$20,240.00

This program requires a $100.00 technology fee per term. Effective June 5, 2010, a minimum tuition deposit, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, is required at the time of enrollment. The deposit will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.

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* This program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in the field, or for jobs in related fields, the specific job titles of which may not be represented in the program title. Although the University will assist students with job placement, finding a job is the individual responsibility of the student. The University does not guarantee that any student will be placed in any particular job, or at all. While the program is designed to prepare graduates to pursue continued graduate- or doctorate-level education, the University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any graduate or doctoral programs.