Studies in Law, MSL, Online
Quick Facts
Credit Hours: 30 | Estimated Time to Completion: 1-2 years | Cost Per Credit Hour: $800 | Start Dates: Fall
Program Details
- Location
- Wayne Campus, Akron Campus
- Level
- graduate
- Academic Pathway
- major
- Degree/Program Type
- MSL Master of Studies in Law
- Format
- online
- Course Info
- Course Sequence
- School/Department
- School of Law
Program Contact
- Misty Franklin
-
Director of Online Education & Masters of Studies in Law Program
330-972-6456
Program Overview
The University of Akron Online offers a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) designed for professionals whose work involves legal concepts, compliance, contracts, regulation, policy, or collaboration with legal teams. Designed specifically for non-lawyers, the program provides practical legal knowledge that helps professionals navigate complex regulations, manage risk, and make informed decisions without the time or cost of law school.
Delivered in a 100% asynchronous online format, the 30-credit program allows working professionals to build legal expertise while maintaining their careers. Students can complete the degree in as little as one academic year full-time or progress at a flexible pace while studying part-time. No LSAT or GRE is required.
The curriculum provides a foundation in the American legal system, legal reasoning, legal communication, ethics, compliance, and professional decision-making. Students can further customize their education through Business Law and Technology Law coursework while developing the knowledge needed to contribute effectively in regulated and law-adjacent environments.
Important: The MSL is designed for professionals seeking legal knowledge, not attorney licensure. It does not qualify graduates to take the bar exam or practice law, and MSL credits are not transferable to the J.D. program.
What You'll Learn
Develop the legal perspective needed to make confident, informed decisions in your field.
Skills Gained
Legal reasoning and analysis
Regulatory and compliance awareness
Risk identification and management
Legal writing and communication
Ethical decision-making
Policy and governance understanding
Cross-disciplinary collaboration
Leadership in regulated environments
Core Practice
Interpret legal and regulatory frameworks
Analyze legal issues in business and technology settings
Communicate effectively in legal and compliance contexts
Identify legal risks and compliance concerns
Apply ethical decision-making principles
Support sound legal and business practices
Collaborate with legal and professional teams
Key Topics
American legal system
Legal analysis and writing
Ethics for legal professionals
Business law
Technology law
Compliance and regulation
Risk management
Emerging technologies
Professional legal communication
Career Outcomes
Legal knowledge can create opportunities across business, healthcare, government, nonprofit organizations, and other regulated industries.
Job Titles
Compliance manager
Senior compliance officer
Business analyst
Risk management specialist
Healthcare compliance specialist
Regulatory affairs specialist
Human resources compliance professional
Policy analyst
Technology compliance specialist
Nonprofit compliance manager
Where You’ll Work
Corporate compliance departments
Risk management teams
Healthcare organizations
Government agencies
Regulatory organizations
Human resources departments
Technology companies
Nonprofit organizations
Advocacy organizations
Policy-focused organizations
Additional Program Information
Online Law Studies Curriculum
The 30-credit curriculum includes 12 credits of required legal foundations and 18 credits of elective coursework in Business Law or Technology Law, allowing you to tailor your studies to your professional goals.
Legal Foundations
Build a strong understanding of the American legal system through required coursework in legal analysis, legal writing, ethics, and professional communication. Students examine how courts, statutes, regulations, and legal frameworks influence decision-making across industries while developing the analytical and communication skills needed to evaluate legal issues in professional settings.
→ View full program requirements
Business Law Track
Explore legal concepts that shape business operations, compliance, governance, contracts, and risk management. This elective track helps professionals understand how legal issues affect organizational strategy, business decision-making, and regulatory responsibilities while strengthening their ability to navigate complex professional environments.
Technology Law Track
Examine legal issues surrounding technology, innovation, data, privacy, intellectual property, and emerging regulatory challenges. This elective track prepares professionals to understand the legal implications of technological change and operate more effectively at the intersection of law, business, and technology.
Experiential Learning
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Gain hands-on experience through five live-client clinics that help students apply legal knowledge while serving real clients and communities.
Rankings
Nationally Recognized Legal Education
Akron Law has earned Top 50 rankings in intellectual property law, trial advocacy, and part-time legal education, as well as recognition among the nation's top programs for legal-skills competitions (U.S. News & World Report, 2020; American Bar Association, 2019).
Outcomes
Strong Career Results
More than 92% of Akron Law J.D. graduates were employed within 10 months of graduation (Spring 2021), reflecting the school's strong reputation, network, and career preparation.
Admissions Information
Review admission requirements and eligibility information for the online Master of Studies in Law.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or international equivalent from an accredited institution.
No LSAT or GRE Required
The MSL is designed for non-lawyers and does not require standardized law school admission testing.
English Language Proficiency
International or non-native English-speaking applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through approved TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Required minimum scores:
- TOEFL iBT: 102
- TOEFL PBT: 610
- IELTS: 7.5
TOEFL and IELTS waivers will not be granted for international or non-native English-speaking applicants.
Application Timeline
Applicants should apply approximately six weeks before their intended enrollment term.
Admission Validity
Admission remains valid for one year from the term listed in the admission letter. Students may defer enrollment within that one-year period unless otherwise specified.
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis for graduate programs.
- Ohio resident tuition: $800 per credit hour
- Online students benefit from a reduced out-of-state surcharge of $1 per credit hour
→ View tuition and fees for MSL students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Graduate student loans
- Scholarships
The University of Akron provides financial aid to a significant number of graduate students each year.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers support throughout the process, including assistance with FAFSA completion, understanding your aid package, and planning for educational costs.
Eligibility
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or international equivalent from an accredited institution.
No LSAT or GRE Required
The MSL is designed for non-lawyers and does not require standardized law school admission testing.
English Language Proficiency
International or non-native English-speaking applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through approved TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Required minimum scores:
- TOEFL iBT: 102
- TOEFL PBT: 610
- IELTS: 7.5
TOEFL and IELTS waivers will not be granted for international or non-native English-speaking applicants.
Application Timeline
Applicants should apply approximately six weeks before their intended enrollment term.
Admission Validity
Admission remains valid for one year from the term listed in the admission letter. Students may defer enrollment within that one-year period unless otherwise specified.
Need help? An Enrollment Advisor can guide you through each step.
Tuition and Cost Considerations
Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis for graduate programs.
- Ohio resident tuition: $800 per credit hour
- Online students benefit from a reduced out-of-state surcharge of $1 per credit hour
→ View tuition and fees for MSL students
→ Estimate your cost of attendance
Financial Aid Options
Students may be eligible for a variety of financial support, including:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Federal and state grants
- Graduate student loans
- Scholarships
The University of Akron provides financial aid to a significant number of graduate students each year.
→ Learn more about financial aid
Get Help
The Office of Student Financial Aid offers support throughout the process, including assistance with FAFSA completion, understanding your aid package, and planning for educational costs.
Online Law Faculty
Learn from the same expert faculty who teach on campus and bring real-world legal expertise to the online classroom.
Online MSL Degree FAQs
The Master of Studies in Law is designed for professionals who regularly encounter legal questions but do not plan to become attorneys. It may be especially valuable for professionals working in business, technology, healthcare, compliance, human resources, government, nonprofit organizations, and regulated industries. Students gain legal knowledge that helps them navigate regulations, manage risk, and make informed decisions within their fields. The program is not intended for individuals seeking bar eligibility or legal practice.
No. The Master of Studies in Law does not qualify graduates to take the bar exam or practice law. The degree is designed for non-lawyers who need legal knowledge to support their professional responsibilities rather than provide legal services. MSL credits are not transferable to the J.D. program. Students who wish to become attorneys should pursue a Juris Doctor degree.
Graduates often pursue roles in compliance, risk management, healthcare administration, government, human resources, nonprofit leadership, regulatory affairs, and policy-focused organizations. The degree is particularly valuable for professionals whose responsibilities involve legal concepts, compliance requirements, or collaboration with attorneys. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, compliance-related occupations are projected to grow by 3% and have average annual earnings of approximately $78,420. Career opportunities vary based on industry, experience, and professional background.
No. The University of Akron Online’s Master of Studies in Law does not require the LSAT or GRE. The program is specifically designed for professionals seeking legal knowledge without attending law school or pursuing attorney licensure. Admissions decisions focus on academic qualifications and eligibility requirements rather than standardized test scores. This allows working professionals to access graduate-level legal education more easily.
The online MSL consists of 30 credit hours and can be completed in as little as one academic year by full-time students. Part-time students may progress at a flexible pace that fits their professional and personal responsibilities. Coursework is delivered entirely online in an asynchronous format, allowing students to complete assignments at their own pace. The program begins each fall semester.
Earn Your Master of Studies in Law Online
You don't need to become a lawyer to think like one. Learn to analyze complex issues, navigate uncertainty, and make business decisions with confidence.