A Master of Legal Studies can help non-lawyers understand how legal systems, regulations, contracts, compliance duties, and risk management affect everyday professional decisions in Pennsylvania. These programs are commonly named MLS, MSL, Juris Master, Master of Jurisprudence, or a closely related non-JD legal master's degree.
This ranking focuses first on Pennsylvania-based options listed by the American Bar Association among post-JD and non-JD programs. When the state does not have ten in-state MLS-style choices, the list includes national online legal studies programs that Pennsylvania students can compare while confirming authorization, format, tuition, and admission requirements directly with each school.
Pennsylvania is one of the ten most populous states in the U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates, with an estimated population of 13,059,432. For that reason, this guide prioritizes official context from the ABA, the U.S. Department of Education, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Ranking Methodology
Programs were ordered for working adults and career changers who want legal training without using the MLS as a substitute for a JD. We gave the most weight to in-state ABA-listed non-JD legal master's options, then to specialized legal master's pathways, flexible formats, relevance to the state legal market, and usefulness for compliance, policy, business, health, technology, and public-sector roles.
- ABA-listed post-JD or non-JD legal master's status, where available
- In-state availability before online out-of-state comparison programs
- Clear fit for non-lawyer professionals, compliance teams, policy staff, HR, health care, business, technology, or public agencies
- Use of Department of Education resources for institutional comparison and accreditation checks
- State bar and BLS context for understanding the legal profession and labor-market signals
Top 10 MLS Programs for Pennsylvania Students
1. Penn State Dickinson Law
Master of Legal Studies, MLS
Penn State Dickinson Law offers a Master of Legal Studies, MLS pathway that is best considered in the context of Carlisle. Dickinson Law is a strong in-state option for students who want a dedicated MLS tied to legal analysis, compliance, policy, and public-service work.
Status in this ranking: Pennsylvania-based ABA-listed MLS option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MLS option listed by ABA
- Pennsylvania-based law school
- Useful for compliance, policy, and public-sector roles
2. Penn State Law
Master of Legal Studies, MLS
Penn State Law offers a Master of Legal Studies, MLS pathway that is best considered in the context of University Park. Penn State Law gives Pennsylvania students another dedicated MLS option, particularly for students who want a large public research university setting.
Status in this ranking: Pennsylvania-based ABA-listed MLS option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MLS option listed by ABA
- Large public university setting
- Good fit for legal literacy across industries
3. Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Legal Studies, MLS
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law offers a Legal Studies, MLS pathway that is best considered in the context of Philadelphia. Drexel is a practical Philadelphia option for students interested in health care, cybersecurity, data privacy, financial compliance, higher education, human resources, or pharmaceutical regulation.
Status in this ranking: Pennsylvania-based ABA-listed MLS option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MLS option listed by ABA
- Philadelphia professional market
- Multiple compliance-related study areas
4. Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Master of Policy and Law, MS
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law offers a Master of Policy and Law, MS pathway that is best considered in the context of Philadelphia. The policy and law option is useful for professionals who work around government, nonprofits, health systems, education, advocacy, or regulated public programs.
Status in this ranking: Pennsylvania-based ABA-listed related legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Related legal master's option listed by ABA
- Strong fit for policy professionals
- Useful for public and nonprofit work
5. University of Pittsburgh School of Law
General, MSL
University of Pittsburgh School of Law offers a General, MSL pathway that is best considered in the context of Pittsburgh. Pitt is a strong western Pennsylvania option for professionals interested in health care compliance, human resources law, international business, technology, energy, and institutional risk.
Status in this ranking: Pennsylvania-based ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MSL option listed by ABA
- Pittsburgh health, technology, and business context
- Useful for compliance and HR professionals
6. Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Legal Studies, MLS
Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law offers a Legal Studies, MLS pathway that is best considered in the context of Online option for state residents. A broad MLS option works well for professionals who need legal literacy across compliance, contracts, employment, health care, technology, public administration, or regulated business roles.
Status in this ranking: ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Broad legal studies curriculum
- Designed for non-lawyer professionals
- Useful when in-state MLS supply is limited
7. University of Southern California Gould School of Law
Master of Studies in Law, MSL
University of Southern California Gould School of Law offers a Master of Studies in Law, MSL pathway that is best considered in the context of Online option for state residents. USC is a practical comparison point for working adults who want a law-school-based master's program with concentrations tied to business, compliance, human resources, privacy, and entertainment or media work.
Status in this ranking: ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Online MSL format
- Law-school-based curriculum
- Strong fit for compliance and business professionals
8. Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law
General MLS (online)
Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law offers a General MLS (online) pathway that is best considered in the context of Online option for state residents. Pepperdine is a useful option for students who want a general legal studies degree with flexibility and a dispute-resolution-informed law school environment.
Status in this ranking: ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Online MLS option
- Good fit for working professionals
- Useful for compliance, administration, and policy roles
9. Fordham University School of Law
Master of Studies in Law, MSL
Fordham University School of Law offers a Master of Studies in Law, MSL pathway that is best considered in the context of Online/residential option for state residents. Fordham is a strong comparison for students interested in compliance, corporate governance, fashion law, real estate, technology, finance, or other specialized legal study.
Status in this ranking: ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Multiple legal study tracks
- Online and residential formats listed by ABA
- Strong fit for regulated business roles
10. Washington University School of Law
Legal Studies, MLS
Washington University School of Law offers a Legal Studies, MLS pathway that is best considered in the context of Online option for state residents. Washington University gives state residents another national MLS benchmark, especially for students comparing flexible programs with general legal studies, tax, or U.S. law options.
Status in this ranking: ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MLS option listed by ABA
- Flexible comparison program
- Useful for students who want a national online benchmark
Program Comparison
| Rank | School | Program | Location or Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Penn State Dickinson Law | Master of Legal Studies, MLS | Carlisle |
| 2 | Penn State Law | Master of Legal Studies, MLS | University Park |
| 3 | Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law | Legal Studies, MLS | Philadelphia |
| 4 | Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law | Master of Policy and Law, MS | Philadelphia |
| 5 | University of Pittsburgh School of Law | General, MSL | Pittsburgh |
| 6 | Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law | Legal Studies, MLS | Online option for state residents |
| 7 | University of Southern California Gould School of Law | Master of Studies in Law, MSL | Online option for state residents |
| 8 | Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law | General MLS (online) | Online option for state residents |
| 9 | Fordham University School of Law | Master of Studies in Law, MSL | Online/residential option for state residents |
| 10 | Washington University School of Law | Legal Studies, MLS | Online option for state residents |
Pennsylvania Legal Market Context
Pennsylvania legal work is shaped by Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, health systems, finance, insurance, energy, education, government, manufacturing, and nonprofit employers. MLS study can support non-lawyer professionals who work with regulation, contracts, compliance, labor issues, public policy, and institutional risk.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports national lawyer pay and job outlook data, but an MLS is not a lawyer-licensure degree. Use BLS data as broad context for the legal services sector, then use state bar resources to understand how attorney regulation, professional conduct, public protection, and bar admissions work in Pennsylvania.
What to Check Before Enrolling
- Confirm whether the program is built for non-lawyers, licensed attorneys, foreign-trained lawyers, or a specific professional group.
- Use the Department of Education College Scorecard and accreditation resources to compare institutional cost, completion, outcomes, and recognized accreditation.
- Remember that ABA approval applies to JD programs and law schools; ABA acquiescence for non-JD programs is not the same as ABA approval of the MLS itself.
- Ask whether the program offers online, hybrid, evening, part-time, or accelerated scheduling that fits your work obligations.
- Review concentration options in compliance, health law, human resources, technology, privacy, business, policy, or another field tied to your career goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Master of Legal Studies the same as a JD?
No. An MLS, MSL, JM, or MJ is generally a non-JD legal master's degree for people who need legal knowledge in their current field. It does not qualify a graduate to practice law as an attorney.
Does the ABA accredit MLS programs?
The ABA explains that its Council approves JD programs and does not formally approve non-JD degrees themselves. The ABA list is still useful because it identifies non-JD programs connected to ABA-approved law schools.
Should Pennsylvania students choose an in-state or online MLS?
Start with in-state options when local networking, state-specific policy, or campus access matters. Online options can make sense when the state has limited MLS availability or when a specialized concentration fits your career better.
What careers can an MLS support?
Common MLS-aligned roles include compliance manager, contract manager, policy analyst, HR specialist, health care administrator, privacy analyst, legal operations specialist, risk manager, and public agency professional. Job titles and requirements vary by employer.
Sources
- American Bar Association: Post-JD and Non-JD Programs
- American Bar Association: Post-JD/Non-JD Programs by School
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Lawyers Occupational Outlook Handbook
- U.S. Department of Education: Find a College or Educational Program
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard dataset
- U.S. Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 Population Estimates
- Pennsylvania Bar Association