Learn about the career paths that an MLS can unlock.
Expand your career prospects and increase your salary with a Master of Legal Studies degree. The extent of this increase will depend on the career path you choose—and options abound. An MLS degree opens up a range of opportunities across various industries where legal knowledge and expertise are valuable. Here are five examples of jobs that professionals with MLS degrees can pursue:
What Jobs Can You Get with a Master of Legal Studies Degree?
| Role | Median Salary (Lightcast) |
|---|---|
| Law and Compliance | |
| Compliance Manager | $134,900 |
| Contracts Manager | $127,000 |
| Mediator | $90,100 |
| Law Enforcement Officer | $71,900 |
| Paralegal/Legal Assistant | $70,900 |
| Risk, Tax and Finance | |
| Tax Manager | $153,100 |
| Risk Manager | $127,200 |
| Accountant | $91,400 |
| Payroll Manager | $98,800 |
| Business Strategy and People Operations | |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | $138,000 |
| Human Resources Manager | $123,100 |
Law and Compliance
Compliance Manager
Median Salary: $134,900 (Lightcast)
Compliance managers ensure that an organization is compliant with any and all mandatory regulations. Primary responsibilities include establishing, documenting, and updating compliance processes. In addition, professionals in compliance must identify compliance requirements, and investigate and review compliance issues. Compliance managers file the appropriate forms and communicate emerging compliance issues with management, employees, and other stakeholders.
Contracts Manager
Median Salary: $127,000 (Lightcast)
Contracts managers draft, review, negotiate, and finalize contracts between organizations and third parties. They ensure that all agreements meet legal standards and organizational requirements. Contracts managers often work closely with legal, procurement, and finance teams to mitigate risks and maintain compliance with contract development and finalization.
Mediator
Median Salary: $90,100 (Lightcast)
A mediator negotiates legal conflicts between consenting parties outside of the courtroom. Some of the tasks for professionals in mediating roles include facilitating communications between disputing parties and guiding them toward mutual agreement; establishing procedural matters like fees and meeting times; collecting evidence; interviewing witnesses; and preparing settlement agreements.
Law Enforcement Officer
Median Salary: $71,900 (Lightcast)
Law enforcement officers uphold the law by patrolling assigned areas, responding to emergencies, and conducting investigations. They enforce local, state, and federal laws; protect public safety; and often engage in community outreach to build trust and prevent crime.
Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Median Salary: $70,900 (Lightcast)
Paralegals and legal assistants serve as support staff in law offices. Their administrative tasks include legal writing and research, drafting documents to be filed, and preparation for trials and hearings, including discovery.
Risk, Tax and Finance
Tax Manager
Median Salary: $153,100 (Lightcast)
Tax managers oversee tax reporting within large organizations. To prevent audits, they are expected to prepare and file the organization’s taxes with a very high level of accuracy. They continually work to keep abreast of changing tax regulations; to maximize tax deductions for their employers; and to monitor workplace practices for compliance with local, state, and federal tax laws.
Risk Manager
Median Salary: $127,200 (Lightcast)
Risk managers identify and mitigate risks that could impact an organization’s reputational and financial health. These professionals analyze data, regulatory requirements, and industry trends to develop strategies that minimize exposure and protect organizational assets.
Accountant
Median Salary: $91,400 (Lightcast)
Accountants manage financial records, prepare and analyze financial statements, and ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations. These professionals provide valuable financial insights to organizations, assist with budgeting, and support decision-making by identifying areas for cost savings and revenue optimization. They may also perform audits.
Payroll Manager
Median Salary: $98,800 (Lightcast)
Payroll managers oversee the accurate and timely processing of employee payroll, including deductions and tax withholdings. In addition to ensuring compliance with relevant laws and tax obligations, they maintain careful records of payroll transactions.
Business Strategy and People Operations
Business Intelligence Analyst
Median Salary: $138,000 (Lightcast)
Business intelligence analysts gather and analyze data to provide actionable insights that drive strategic decision-making within organizations. They are responsible for creating reports, dashboards, and visualizations. Using data mining techniques to identify trends and opportunities for growth, they help businesses make data-driven decisions.
Human Resources Manager
Median Salary: $123,100 (Lightcast)
As a human resources manager, you oversee the development of employees in an organization and serve as a liaison between employers and leadership or union representatives. Some tasks that a human resources manager takes on include recruiting, hiring, and training employees; managing employee benefits including compensation, workplace savings, insurance, and employee leave; establishing employee conduct policy; and maintaining compliance with employment regulations.
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To learn more about the online Master of Legal Studies and download a brochure, please fill out this form. You can also reach an enrollment specialist directly by calling 629-284-0124.
How a Master of Legal Studies Degree Can Advance Your Career
An MLS supports career advancement for many professionals. While compliance and legal roles are the most common, they aren’t the only opportunities. A master’s in legal studies builds your legal fluency, analytical thinking, and regulatory expertise, which means that you’ll be able to bring meaningful strategic value to any organization—without the time or cost of a J.D.
With an MLS, you’ll find yourself having:
- Sharper decision-making: Legal and analytical training helps you evaluate risk and navigate regulation more confidently.
- Broader career options: Foundational legal knowledge transfers across industries, both within and beyond legal departments.
- A credential that stands out: A graduate degree signals ambition and readiness for advancement to employers.
Opportunities will vary based on prior work experience, additional qualifications, and the industry in which graduates seek employment. But due to the versatility of this degree, MLS graduates can confidently enter the job market with a wealth of foundational legal knowledge and transferable skills. The Master of Legal Studies isn’t just a credential—it’s a gateway to new horizons in your career.
Learn more about the Vanderbilt MLS.
About Vanderbilt Law School
Vanderbilt Law School has prepared students for exceptional careers throughout the United States and around the world for 145 years.
Located on the Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville, Tennessee, the law school combines the advantages of a stimulating university community, a top-tier research faculty, award-winning teachers, and a vibrant student body.
Known for its rigorous academics in a collegial, supportive atmosphere, Vanderbilt Law School attracts students and faculty seeking a first-rate education within a nurturing community.
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Download our program brochure, and explore our admissions, curriculum and FAQ pages.