What can you do with a Master in the Study of Law?

Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of the laws and regulations that shape your work? Are you interested in advancing your career in a new direction — such as dispute resolution or compliance? Or, do you just want to learn how to work better with lawyers? (Valid). 

Strengthen your legal expertise with an online master’s in law from Ohio State. Earning a master’s in legal studies online allows students to build the skills — and the confidence — to understand legal reasoning, make informed decisions and manage risk for their organization. 

Offered by the Moritz College of Law — the #1 law school in Ohio, according to U.S. News & World Report (2025) — you can earn a Master in the Study of Law (MSL) online from a respected institution, all on your terms. 

So, let’s dive in: What is a master in the study of law? How flexible is Ohio State’s online MSL degree? And, what can you do with a master’s in legal studies? 

We’ll unpack those questions below, plus highlight actual careers of current students and alumni while exploring the customizable curriculum in the online master’s in law at Ohio State. 

What is an online master’s in law?

A master in the study of law (sometimes referred to as a master’s in legal studies or MSL degree) offers students a comprehensive legal education, while strengthening their critical and analytical thinking skills.

Specifically, a master’s in law program is designed for working professionals whose careers interface with the law on a regular basis, or for anyone who wants to grow into a role that requires a deep understanding of the law.

It’s important to note that Ohio State’s Master in the Study of Law is not a “law degree” or J.D. It can’t prepare you to argue in a courtroom or qualify you for the bar exam. A master’s in legal studies can, however, be a valuable credential for those professions that require a deep understanding of the legal system and the regulations that govern fields such as compliance or human resources. We’ll talk about specific job titles soon, but first let’s pivot to skills outcomes. i.e., “What am I gaining here?”

What can you do with a master’s in legal studies?

In other words, what will I learn and what knowledge will I gain in Ohio State’s online master’s in law? The online MSL degree trains students to understand legal language, grasp and analyze current legal issues, and develop vital legal skills like communication and critical thinking.

Let’s take a peek at the curriculum. Students will start out with an intro to U.S. legal systems, plus receive training in legal research, which includes contract review and persuasive writing. This is where you’ll learn how to communicate with lawyers and dive into the language of the law.

But here’s where it really gets good: This online master’s in legal studies at Ohio State has a customizable curriculum. Students can specialize their program by choosing from concentration tracks like business law, dispute resolution, intellectual property law and more.

Even better: The MSL degree is highly flexible, meaning you can take courses 100% online, attend classes in person on Ohio State’s campus, or schedule a mixture of both modalities. Simply put, you can pick the classes that fit your interests and your schedule.

Here’s an example from one of our current students: Lauren, a Medicaid growth strategy analyst, is pursuing a health law concentration to better inform her work at a corporate health care organization. She reports that the online MSL degree, coupled with her specialization, has been invaluable as she navigates insurance contracts and state regulations.

“I knew it would be a perfect complement where the classes are helping me with my job, and my job is helping me with the program,” she said.

Program graduate Matt Busser, an HR consultant, agrees about the program’s relevance and the benefits of customizing your coursework to your interests.

“In my HR compliance course, we focused on I-9 processing and the rules and regulations around employment verification,” he explained. “I took information from the course and worked with my supervisor to draw up a plan to make sure my organization is more in compliance.”

What jobs can I get with a master’s in legal studies?

Earning a master’s in legal studies online can prepare you for a variety of roles in fields like HR, social services and public safety. An in-depth knowledge of the law, plus the ability to analyze risk, ensure compliance and lead with confidence, will help you elevate your career – no matter your exact job title.

From compliance-heavy fields like engineering to careers in social work, financial services and law enforcement, our Buckeyes have diverse goals and professional interests.

Here’s just a short list of the job titles held by our current students and alumni:

• Case Manager
• Director of Compliance & Privacy Officer
• Health Care Executive
• HR Consultant
• Chief of Police
• Principal Consultant
• Senior Electrical Engineer
• Veteran Services Director

No matter your role or industry, a Master in the Study of Law will prepare you to confidently engage with the legal system and empower you to speak the language of the law. Ready to take the plunge? Reach out to an Enrollment Advisor to get started.