Master in Legal Professions and Studies (Master's)

Tuition is The Online MLS requires the completion of 32 credits. The program consists of 16 credits in required courses, 4 credits in restricted electives, and 12 credits in a concentration.. Applications for the Jan 2027 intake are open until Dec 7, 2026.

The Master of Legal Studies program at William & Mary Law School prepares non-law professionals to understand the U.S. legal system and apply legal knowledge to their work. Students build expertise through a structured curriculum with a focus on practical legal skills in specific industry areas. The program is delivered entirely online with asynchronous coursework and optional synchronous elements. It is designed for working professionals seeking to enhance their legal literacy in regulated fields.

Focus areas include Compliance and Risk Management, Health Law, Finance Law, Environmental Law, Law of Emerging Technologies, Cybersecurity and Privacy.

The program requires 32 credits, including 16 in required courses, 4 in restricted electives, and 12 in a concentration. Students complete all coursework online with no on-campus requirements.

Graduates enter roles in legal compliance, risk management, healthcare administration, financial regulation, and technology law within corporate, government, or nonprofit settings.

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. At least six months of professional work experience in a relevant field is required. The application includes a personal statement, official transcripts, a resume, and one professional or academic letter of recommendation.

The programme totals about 32 credit hours. Online, asynchronous, part-time; typically completed in 4 semesters with 4-8 credits per semester. For international students, tuition is above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 33% of applicants.

William & Mary has grown into a university with undergraduate and professional programs across the College of Arts & Sciences, Raymond A. Mason School of Business, Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences, School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics, School of Education and Law School. Its academic offering includes more than 115 majors, minors and pre-professional programs, ranging from business analytics and integrative conservation to majors designed by students. Forty-five percent of students major in STEM fields.

Research is a central part of the student experience. William & Mary holds the R1 designation for its research activity, and almost 85% of students take part in faculty-mentored projects. Topics span the humanities, sciences and applied fields, including art, oysters, marine science, history, conservation and particle physics. The university also describes its education as personalized and career-focused, with opportunities connected to internships, career services and science laboratories.

The university is based in Williamsburg, Virginia, with the Sir Christopher Wren Building serving as a setting for major campus events such as Opening Convocation. International students can choose from study abroad opportunities and a wide range of academic fields. The university's schools cover business, coastal and marine sciences, computing, data sciences, physics, education and law, alongside arts and sciences. This range supports students seeking either a focused professional path or a broader interdisciplinary education.