How an M.A. in Law degree helps your career

No matter your industry, an M.A. in Law provides a valuable background into crucial elements of law. Discover how this degree can help advance your career.

Interested in expanding your knowledge in law but don’t have the luxury of enrolling in law school? A Master of Arts in Law (M.A. in Law ) program is the perfect solution for those looking to achieve a law degree unique to their professional goals.

An M.A. in Law degree adds depth and room for advancement to any career, even outside of the field of law. Here we explore exactly what a Master of Arts in Law entails and how an M.A. in Law degree can enhance your career. 

What is an M.A. in Law degree?

An M.A. in Law is a relatively new degree that equips students with the skill set and knowledge required to carry out intensive analysis and interpretation of legal matters. M.A. in Law programs improve students’ understanding of the law and serve as a guide for incorporating law into the business world.

Depending on the university, M.A. in Law programs can go by a wide variety of names, including:

• Master of Science of Law (M.S.L.)
• Juris Master (JM)
• Master of Jurisprudence (MJ)
• Master in Law (ML)

Although it sounds similar to a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree, an M.A. in Law is not the same. An LL.M is a second degree offered only to law students who already have a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B). In contrast, an M.A. in Law can be awarded to students with a bachelor’s degree in any field.

How can an M.A. in Law help your career?

M.A. in Law degree programs allow professionals across a variety of industries to further their careers. This is due to the programs’ specialized focus on how legal matters can apply to a variety of business operations in fields such as:

• Business
• Education
• Health care
• Human resources
• Law enforcement

An M.A. in Law can advance your career in the following ways:

• Gain a valuable skill set. Most organizations do all they can to avoid unnecessary legal battles. Having an employee inside the company with a clear understanding of legal processes and how they affect the industry is an invaluable asset to any company. Plus, it may reduce costs by eliminating the need for a legal consultant or legal retainer. M.A. in Law graduates provide built-in prevention for future legal issues. By achieving an M.A. in Law, you may increase your chances of a promotion due to your advanced knowledge and specialized skill set within the field of law.
• Join a diverse network of professionals. By acquiring an M.A. in Law, you increase your access to a diverse network of established professionals in the legal field and beyond. Your professors may be practicing judges, lawyers, business leaders, and more.
• Jump-start your legal career. If you are looking to go to law school or start a career in the legal field, an M.A. in Law degree will give you the competitive edge and experience necessary to pivot fields easily.

M.A. in Law degree programs

In-person learning is not the only route to a law degree. You can achieve a master’s degree remotely, on your own time through an online M.A. in Law program.

At The Colleges of Law, you can earn your M.A. in Law online, allowing you to work full time while you earn your degree on the side. Head to our program page for more details and other law-related degrees.