Pepperdine Online MLS Degree

Be equipped to stand apart, to excel, and to advance in your career.  In Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s Master in Legal Studies (MLS) program, students learn foundational legal concepts and skills to help them perform their best in their jobs.  Every workplace navigates legal questions–from HR to contracts to compliance with governing law–and Pepperdine’s online MLS degree will help you understand the context of your work, communicate with knowledge, and lead with confidence.

  • Flexible Online Program — Earn your degree on a full-time basis in as few as 12 months, or a part-time basis in 24 months.
  • No GRE, GMAT, or LSAT Required — At Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, we prioritize your record of aptitude and leadership qualities over test scores.
  • Global Alumni Network — Join a world-wide alumni network (over 60 countries!), offering unparalleled opportunities for professional connections and career growth.

Enhance Your Legal Skills. Advance in Your Field.

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies program enables nonlawyers to develop superior legal expertise and credentials to advance within their chosen field. Students analyze and interpret legal concepts to make more informed decisions at work and enhance their professional credibility with their partners, clients, constituents, and employers.

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is an ABA accredited top-ranked law school.1

Jump to:

Admission Process

MLS Curriculum

Outcomes

Class Profile

Careers

Request Info

Why Earn a Master of Legal Studies Online

Students undertaking their Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree at Pepperdine develop a concrete understanding of legal principles and their application.  As they learn how the U.S. legal system functions, students also gain practical knowledge applicable to contracts, negotiation, compliance, and daily business operations.  The degree is ideal for HR professionals, entrepreneurs, employees in corporate and non-profit businesses, and those who work alongside lawyers–anyone seeking opportunities to excel and advance in their field. 

  • Get legal training tailored to your industry
  • Graduate in as few as 12 months
  • No LSAT, GRE, or GMAT required for admission

Application and Admission Process

Classes start in January, May, and September. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. Students who apply to the online Master of Legal Studies program by the cohort priority deadline will receive an earlier decision and an application fee waiver. Please contact an admissions counselor at 844-707-9208 or admissions@onlinelaw.pepperdine.edu before submitting your application in order to receive the application fee waiver and scholarship information.

The final deadline for the May 2026 cohort is March 6, 2026.

Application Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required for admission. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law does not require GMAT or GRE scores.

Candidates must submit the following materials to be considered for admission:

  • Online application with a fee of $50
  • Transcripts
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume
  • Video interview

Learn more about application requirements.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Students in the Master of Legal Studies program have a variety of financial resources that may be available to them, including employer financial assistance, loan programs, and scholarships. Tuition is charged per unit hour for a total of 26 units.

Learn more about tuition and financial aid.

Take the First Step

Enhancing your legal skills and your understanding of complex legal concepts can help advance your career. Request information today to learn more about Pepperdine’s online Master of Legal Studies program.

Request Information

Access Your Application

Now is the time. Advance your career with Pepperdine. Take the next step today.

Apply Now

Jump to:

Admission Process

MLS Curriculum

Outcomes

Class Profile

Careers

Request Info

Master of Legal Studies Online Curriculum

The Master of Legal Studies curriculum focuses on areas of law that touch nearly every industry, including legal research, litigation, regulatory compliance, negotiation, and torts. The curriculum is typically completed in 16-24 months, taking 4-6 units per term of required/elective courses with two 1-unit residency weekend courses. However, dedicated full-time students can complete the curriculum in as little as 12 months taking 8 units per term of required/elective courses with two 1-unit residency weekend courses.

Required Courses

Consisting of 8 units, the required courses provide students with a fundamental understanding of legal concepts and procedures. Courses include:

Elective Courses

Students in the program have the ability to customize their curriculum and explore specific areas of law by taking 8 general elective courses of their choice. These elective courses include:

View all elective courses

Residencies

Students will have the chance to apply legal concepts in real-world situations during two in-person weekend residencies on Pepperdine’s campus in Malibu. During these residencies, students will network with their peers and faculty while completing a 1-credit course and engaging in a variety of case studies and mock trials.

Dual Degree

After earning their MLS degree, students will have the opportunity to earn a Master of Dispute Resolution in less time and fewer units than our typical offering. The MDR degree will only require an additional 20 units, and will prepare students to artfully negotiate complex transactions and judiciously resolve conflicts between parties.

Learn more about earning an MLS/MDR degree.

Optional Concentrations

As part of the MLS program, students have the opportunity to focus their degree by choosing a concentration in dispute resolution, human resources, or litigation to achieve their particular needs.

Dispute Resolution

Students in the program may also hone their legal skills in arbitration and conflict mediation by selecting the dispute resolution concentration. As the need for conflict resolution and negotiation skills increases, a formal educational background in dispute resolution is an optimal choice for many legal professionals. Dispute resolution courses are taught through Pepperdine Caruso Law’s Straus Institute, ranked #2 law school for dispute resolution by U.S. News & World Report.2

Human Resources

Students in this concentration gain a solid understanding of the legal system and employment law. Through specialized course work, students will strengthen their ability to accomplish daily responsibilities such as hiring and termination, noncompetition and confidentiality agreements, and salary negotiation.

Litigation

Students in this concentration will focus on litigation-specific course work and build the expertise required for professionals in the legal industry including, but not limited to, managers, paralegals, legal assistants, legal clinic workers, nonprofit employees, compliance officers, and others.

Jump to:

Admission Process

MLS Curriculum

Outcomes

Class Profile

Careers

Request Info

Learning Outcomes for the Master’s in Legal Studies Online

The online Master of Legal Studies program prepares students to apply their legal knowledge to critical reasoning, written and oral communication, and professional skills.

  • Identify and interpret foundational legal concepts in the areas of substantive law, legal theory, and procedure.
  • Use legal analysis to examine and interpret cases, statutes, and regulations.
  • Define the scope of a legal research question, determine key concepts, and retrieve relevant information using simple search techniques.
  • Describe the fundamental structure and process for how the US legal system works, with emphasis specific to their area of interest.
  • Recognize basic and obvious ethical issues and grasp the complexities or interrelationships among them.

Accessible, Accomplished Faculty

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law faculty are distinguished legal scholars and lawyers committed to providing students with the resources they need to succeed in our online Master of Legal Studies program. Our faculty empower students with the legal expertise and ethical judgment to meet the complex challenges they may encounter in their professional roles.

Visit the Pepperdine Caruso Law Meet Our Faculty page.

Get Started Today

Learn more about Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies program and how it can equip you with the legal skills needed to advance in your role.

Request Information

Access Your Application

Now is the time. Advance your career with Pepperdine. Take the next step today.

Apply Now

Jump to:

Admission Process

MLS Curriculum

Outcomes

Class Profile

Careers

Request Info

Online Master of Legal Studies Class Profile

Our Master of Legal Studies program includes students with diverse backgrounds, professional experiences, and viewpoints. These various perspectives improve the classroom experience by creating more nuanced discussion and debate. Explore the class profile of the current students in Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies program.

Curious to know how students from different backgrounds are leveraging the skills they are learning in our program? View our Student Profiles page.

76%

Female

37

Average Age

21-72

Age Range

10

Average Years of Work Experience Prior to Enrolling

18%

Students with an Advanced Degree

11%

Military Students

Circle graph shows the percentage breakdown of race. 38% White/Caucasian, 26% Black/African American, 24% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 5% Choose not to disclose, 1% Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, 1% American Indian/Alaska Native.

This information reflects data collected from online MLS students in the August 2017 to January 2021 cohorts with a 100% response rate.

Jump to:

Admission Process

MLS Curriculum

Outcomes

Class Profile

Careers

Request Info

Choosing the Right Graduate Degree for Your Goals

When considering a graduate degree, it is important for professionals to think not just about the credentials behind their names but also the skills that will closely align with their goals. Earning an MLS can have similar benefits to earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Juris Doctor (JD), but the MLS degree offers a focused curriculum that prepares students with knowledge of relevant legal concepts that can be used in a variety of roles and industries.

Learn more about the differences between earning an MLS, MBA, MPA or JD:

Career Opportunities with a Master of Legal Studies Degree

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law students come from various backgrounds and work in diverse industries, and a Master of Legal Studies can help them more effectively perform their law-related responsibilities. With a Master of Legal Studies, professionals in many fields can improve their ability to interpret legal concepts and better understand the law as it relates to their job. Career possibilities with an MLS degree may include:

  • Legal Consultants who advise on contracts and compliance
  • Paralegals who research and draft legal documents
  • Administrators who navigate complex healthcare laws
  • Politicians who work to shape public policy
  • Consultants who serve lawyers and law firms
  • HR Professionals who handle compliance with workplace policies

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Request information today to learn more about Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies program.

Access Your Application

Now is the time. Advance your career with Pepperdine. Take the next step today.

Apply Now

FAQs About the Online Master in Legal Studies

  • Yes. As part of the application process, candidates complete a video interview. This is not a live panel with an admissions officer; rather, it is an asynchronous, recorded video submission where you respond to pre-set prompts. This allows the admissions committee to get a sense of your personality, communication skills, and motivation for pursuing the degree beyond what is on your résumé.

  • Yes. The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is a rigorous, graduate-level degree specifically engineered for professionals in a variety of industries to work in law-related roles or on law-adjacent tasks. It is specifically designed for non-lawyers who require advanced legal knowledge without the intention of practicing law.

  • The MLS is widely considered a high-value credential, particularly for professionals operating within highly regulated sectors. The degree’s primary return on investment lies in equipping graduates with the capacity to navigate complex regulations and identify legal risks within their specific industries. It offers broad applicability, supporting career trajectories ranging from paralegal roles to law enforcement leadership.

  • Professionals holding an MLS often command strong earning potential, though compensation varies based on industry, location, and function. The degree is designed to elevate earning power by qualifying graduates for senior roles in regulated fields, such as compliance or risk management. For instance, data from the ERI Economic Research Institute indicates that Compliance Managers in the United States earn an average annual salary of approximately $123,437.

  • An MLS is ideal for leaders who must communicate effectively with legal counsel but do not require the licensure to represent clients. It is particularly advantageous for professionals in sectors such as healthcare, education, nonprofits, manufacturing, and finance, where a sophisticated understanding of compliance and legal frameworks is essential for leadership.

  • You can tailor your MLS degree to your specific career goals by selecting a concentration. Pepperdine offers specialized tracks such as Dispute Resolution (through the world-renowned Straus Institute), Human Resources, and Litigation. These concentrations allow you to gain deep, industry-specific knowledge that complements the core legal curriculum.

  • The distinction lies primarily in the intended audience. The Master of Laws (LLM) is an advanced post-graduate degree exclusively for individuals who already hold a Juris Doctor (JD). In contrast, the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is tailored for professionals who do not intend to become licensed lawyers but require a comprehensive grasp of the law to advance their careers.

  • No. The Master of Legal Studies does not qualify graduates to sit for the bar exam or practice law. To become a practicing attorney, one must earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. The MLS is strictly designed for professionals seeking legal knowledge to enhance their capabilities within their current non-legal fields.

  • No. The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) and Juris Doctor (JD) are distinct degree programs with different curriculums and learning outcomes. Credits earned in the MLS program typically cannot be transferred toward a JD degree at Pepperdine or other law schools. If your ultimate goal is to become a practicing attorney, you should apply directly to a JD program.

  • No. The LSAT is not required for the Master of Legal Studies program. Furthermore, no other standardized tests, such as the GRE or GMAT, are necessary for admission. Decisions are based on a holistic review of the applicant’s academic and professional background rather than standardized testing metrics.

  • The program is structured for accelerated progression, enabling students to graduate in as little as 12 months. This timeline is designed to allow professionals to rapidly acquire essential legal competencies and apply them to leadership roles in their industries.

  • Yes. To complete the program, students are required to participate in two in-person residencies, totaling 2 units of academic credit. These residencies provide an essential opportunity to engage directly with the Pepperdine community on our beautiful Malibu, California campus.

    These sessions are designed to bridge the gap between online learning and the campus community, allowing you to engage in intensive workshops, network with faculty and peers, and attend sessions led by legal experts. This blend of online flexibility and on-campus immersion ensures you build professional connections that last well beyond graduation.

  • During these mandatory residencies, students engage in hands-on experiential learning and build personal connections that foster professional success. Each residency is a 1-unit weekend course held on the Malibu campus, where you will apply classroom learning through:

    • Hands-On Practice: Participate in intensive workshops, role-playing, mock trials, and team breakout groups to solve legal problems.
    • Expert Insight: Attend sessions led by legal experts, including judges, to gain insight into daily legal interactions.
    • Networking: Build professional connections with faculty and peers through student-faculty luncheons and dinner receptions.
    • Immersion: Explore the local legal landscape, which may include activities like a bus tour of Downtown Los Angeles.

    MLS Residency 1 (Law, the Legal System, and Society) investigates the intersection of law, public policy, and social responsibility. MLS Residency 2 (Law in Practice) focuses on ethics, advocacy, and dispute resolution.

  • The primary benefit of the online format is the ability to balance rigorous education with your existing professional and personal commitments.

    • Minimal Disruption: You can pursue a graduate-level education without the need to relocate or commute, allowing you to maintain stability in your personal life.
    • Career Continuity: The program’s flexibility enables you to continue working full-time or part-time while you study. This allows you to apply what you learn immediately to your current role and earn your degree without pausing your career.

  • The online Master of Legal Studies is designed for working professionals, providing a structured yet accessible learning environment.

    • Class Format: Students are tied to specific class meeting times. This live, synchronous interaction ensures direct engagement with faculty and peers, mirroring the collaborative environment of a physical classroom.
    • Modern Learning Platform: Starting in the 2025–2026 academic year, the program is transitioning to Pepperdine Canvas as its primary Learning Management System (LMS). This industry-standard platform ensures a seamless, user-friendly experience for accessing all your coursework and interacting with faculty.

  • Tuition is calculated based on a per-credit rate multiplied by the total required credits. As tuition rates are subject to annual review, we recommend consulting the Tuition and Financial Aid page on the university website for the most current and accurate figures.

Return to footnote reference

Pepperdine University partners with 2U to support the delivery of these online programs. Pepperdine University has full control over the programs, including all core academic functions. Click here to learn more about 2U’s roles and responsibilities.

1Pepperdine University Rankings U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved in August 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

2Best Dispute Resolution Programs U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved in August 2024.arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

Pepperdine Caruso Law’s online Master of Legal Studies program is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Pepperdine Caruso Law’s Master of Legal Studies distance education degree program has been granted acquiescence by the American Bar Association.