If you’re considering a legal education but don’t want to become a practicing attorney, you’ve likely come across the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree. Many prospective students ask: Can I practice law with an MLS?
The short answer is no—an MLS does not qualify you to practice law, represent clients in court, or sit for the bar exam. But the degree is valuable in several other ways.
What is an MLS?
An MLS (Master of Legal Studies) is a graduate program designed for professionals who want to gain a strong understanding of legal principles without pursuing a career as a lawyer. Unlike the Juris Doctor (JD)—which is required for bar eligibility—an MLS focuses on teaching how the law interacts with business, healthcare, government, ministry, and other professional fields.
At Trinity Law School in Santa Ana, California, the Online Master of Legal Studies is specifically designed for working professionals. It provides a flexible, Christian-centered approach to understanding law and ethics, equipping graduates to navigate complex regulations in their careers. Learn more at tiu.edu/law/mls.
What Can You Do with an MLS?
While you cannot practice law, Trinity’s MLS has concentrations in the following fields to advance your career, no matter which legal environment you work in:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Church Administration
- Contracts and Negotiation
- Criminal Justice
- Customized Plan of Study
- Human Resources Management
- Human Rights
- Human Trafficking Advocacy
- Ministry, Advocacy, and the Law
- Nonprofit Administration
- Paralegal
An MLS helps you become the “go-to” person for legal and ethical issues in your workplace, without requiring the years of study and bar passage that a JD demands.
Who Should Consider an MLS Instead of a JD?
If your goal is to become an attorney, go to court, or provide legal representation, you will need a Juris Doctor (JD) and must pass the California Bar Exam (or another state’s bar exam).
However, if you want to:
- Advance your career by understanding the law
- Enhance your organization’s ability to comply with regulations
- Integrate Christian ethics and legal knowledge into your work
…then the MLS program at Trinity Law School may be the perfect fit.