Being good at your job today does not guarantee you’ll have the skills to succeed tomorrow. Workplaces today are always changing, and that is why upskilling matters — especially if legal and compliance issues are part of your work.
Regulations affect every industry, so knowing how to spot potential legal considerations and work with legal teams can make you a stronger decisionmaker. And businesses see the value of legal and non-legal personnel navigating shifting regulatory landscapes with confidence and foresight. Compliance failures can cost millions — having this expertise transforms you into a critical pillar of your company’s long-term success.
A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is one way to develop this foundation – and the following US law schools offer world-class programmes designed to help you build the strategic legal expertise your career needs.
The Master of Legal Studies: Global Cohort is designed for international students who want to have a sophisticated understanding of US law. Source: UCLA School of Law
UCLA School of Law
When UCLA School of Law was founded in 1949, it was a newcomer in a field dominated with institutions that had been teaching law for generations. Yet in the decades that followed, it forged its own path, placing it today as #1 in Southern California. Behind that rise is a forward-looking approach to legal education. Curriculum is innovative, community is inclusive. It’s a powerful combination that makes UCLA Law an elite choice – even for those who do not intend to practise law.
UCLA School of Law’s newly launched Master of Legal Studies: Global Cohort is designed for international students, specifically those on F-1 visas. You’ll start with foundational courses: American law, property, torts and contracts, constitutional and statutory analysis, legal analysis and communication, and either business law for non-lawyers or civil dispute resolution. These courses help you understand the US legal system and, importantly, how it fits into a professional world that is getting more global.
Once you’ve built that foundation, you can decide how you want to specialise. There are 10 specialisations to choose from, including Global Business Law, which is tailored to the Global Cohort. A few of the other specialisations include: Law & Technology, Entertainment & Media Law, Health Law & Policy, Public Interest, Employment & HR, and Government & National Security,
By graduation, you’ll be more confident dealing with contracts, regulations, disputes and legal teams. The expertise you develop can set you up for an expansive range of careers in international business, technology, public policy, or public interest work. There’s something else you’ll take with you too: deep connections with classmates, faculty, and the wider community of this prestigious, Tier 1 law school. Learn more about the Master of Legal Studies: Global Cohort.
Through innovative and collaborative teaching, Texas A&M trains service-oriented lawyers who can address the legal, economic, and social issues influencing communities worldwide. Source: Texas A&M University School of Law
Texas A&M University School of Law
At Texas A&M University School of Law, a world-class legal education can be an affordable one as well. Ranked #22 among the Best Law Schools by US News & World Report, and #9 Best Value Law School in National Jurist’s preLaw Magazine, Texas A&M Law puts your career at its heart — earning it the #3 spot nationally for “Gold Standard” Employment Outcomes. You can find an array of financial aid options to help you fund your studies, including merit scholarships, loans, military education benefits, and non-resident tuition waivers for on-campus students.
But what if you want legal expertise without spending three years in law school? Its online MLS offers a flexible alternative. “I can’t speak highly enough about my experience at Texas A&M Law, albeit brief, it was positive and impactful,” shares graduate Jennifer Martellotti. “I was able to gain the expertise I was seeking to further my career in healthcare, with the flexibility of asynchronous courses, while broadening my alumni network locally, nationally, and globally.”
Classes are taught by the same faculty who teach JD students; they bring the same emphasis on critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and effective problem-solving to your learning experience. You can choose from 16 tracks that build on what you already know and where you want to go next. Each responds to the changing needs of the industry, while options such as the Intellectual Property, Technology & Innovation track give you the choice to study fully online or through a hybrid format in Fort Worth.
Upon graduation, your network expands considerably. You’ll join a network of more than 500,000 alumni across over 160 countries. United by the character, commitment, traditions, and unique Aggie loyalty, being a part of the 12th Law Man gives you a global network to draw on as your career evolves.
Through clinics, journals, competitions, and public service, Emory Law students learn to develop creative solutions to real-world legal challenges. Source: Emory University School of Law
Emory University School of Law
Curious minds belong at Emory University School of Law. Here, you’ll have a supportive community behind you as you grow into a thoughtful, principled professional ready to make an impact. “Emory consistently impresses me with its commitment to delivering high-quality education across all programmes,” shares Mindy Goldstein, Clinical Professor of Law. “This dedication to excellence is evident in our college, graduate schools, medical schools, and law school, including the online Master of Legal Studies programme.”
Emory Law’s MLS is designed for different professional goals. It draws on insights from legal researchers and practitioners to prepare you for the issues you may face in your day-to-day work. You can pick from one of four concentrations.
There’s Business Law and Regulation if you’re interested in entrepreneurship and corporate compliance. Health Care Law, Policy, and Regulation looks at topics like disability and race discrimination in access to care, licensing, health care reform, and drug pricing. Employment Law and Human Resources focuses on legal issues in the workplace, while Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Technology Law addresses questions shaping today’s digital workplace. If you’d rather explore something else, you can combine electives to create your own study plan.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to put what you learn into practice and discuss different ideas with your peers. Every course also includes an advocacy component, where you can practise how to communicate your ideas clearly, both in writing and in conversation. The result is a skill set with broad professional value which has advanced careers in healthcare, business, education, and more.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
