Social worker Audra Jordan’s journey to a Master in the Study of Law 

Master in the Study of Law graduate Audra Jordan is using her education to help her patients navigate the legal system. As a social worker at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, she works with pregnant women struggling with substance abuse disorders. 

“[Their circumstances] are very intertwined with the legal system,” Audra explained. “So I completed the Master in the Study of Law program to provide better understanding and services for my patients.” 

In her day-to-day work at the hospital, Audra felt she was “googling a lot,” to find the best legal path forward for her patients – some of whom weren’t compliant with the law or had been served warrants.  

Armed with a better understanding of the legal system from the MSL program, Audra says she now feels more confident in her ability to advocate for her patients. In one situation, her expertise helped a woman address outstanding legal issues without needing to serve jail time. 

While the program has been valuable to her social work career, Audra said it’s also ignited her interest in other master of legal studies job opportunities, such as health care compliance. 

A flexible and customizable MSL program

Ohio State’s Master in the Study of Law program offers a customizable legal foundation, in which students can choose specializations such as Health Law, Compliance or Alternative Dispute Resolution.  

The ability to customize her curriculum was a huge draw for Audra, as she worked to enhance her legal expertise within her social work role. A course called “Opioids and the Law” was especially relevant to her career in substance abuse treatment. 

Audra also appreciated the variety of experiences among the faculty, who showed her the many different jobs that a master’s in legal studies could prepare her for. 

“There was just such diversity in the faculty,” she said. “I learned about so many legal social work jobs that I had never even heard of.” 

Additionally, the online program’s flexibility meant Audra could balance family responsibilities – including caring for her father who was ill – without needing to put her education on pause. 

“Being able to complete coursework from my father’s bedside while he was in the hospital was huge,” she said. “I couldn’t have done it without that flexibility.” 

Ready to become a legal expert like Audra? A master’s in legal studies can be worth it. Contact our Enrollment Advisors to learn more about Ohio State’s impactful Master in the Study of the Law.