MLS vs. LLM

1 April, 2026

For professionals interested in law, there are a variety of career opportunities and educational paths available to support those goals. Becoming an attorney can be a fulfilling and lucrative career path, but there are also many business roles that deal with the law and legal regulations on a daily basis.

Depending on your career goals and prior experience, you may be considering a Master of Legal Studies (MLS) or a Master of Laws (LLM). Both degrees build legal experience at the graduate level, but they serve fundamentally different professional purposes. 

An MLS is built for professionals who want to gain legal fluency in their field without becoming a lawyer. On the other hand, an LLM is typically a post-JD degree intended for licensed attorneys or those with a first degree in law looking to specialize their practice (or for international lawyers seeking to academically prepare for the practice in the U.S.). 

This article clarifies admissions expectations, curriculum structure and career implications to help you determine which degree aligns with your educational background and long-term goals.

What Is the Difference Between an MLS and an LLM?

The primary distinction between an MLS and an LLM is that they academically prepare professionals for different career paths. Because of the difference in outcomes, students in each program tend to have different levels of education and types of experience. This distinction shapes every aspect of the academic experience, from coursework to professional outcomes. 

Degree Focus

Ultimately, if your goal is to sharpen your decision making in a role that deals with law and regulation, then an MLS will be the more relevant pathway. However, if your goal is to advance your legal practice or academically prepare to become an attorney, the LLM aligns with that objective. 

Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

An MLS degree can provide working professionals the curriculum to gain an understanding of legal concepts, especially highly regulated industries like HR, healthcare and business. Rather than preparing them to practice law, these programs enable professionals to interpret regulations, evaluate risk, follow legal reasoning and collaborate effectively with legal teams. 

MLS applicants often come from industries where regulation and compliance shape daily operations. Professionals who earn an MLS can:

• Navigate employment law
• Manage regulatory obligations
• Achieve business objectives in complex policy environments
• Oversee contracts or corporate governance

Master of Laws (LLM)

LLM degrees are generally intended for licensed attorneys who already hold a JD or international equivalent. For U.S. attorneys, it provides deeper expertise in advanced areas of law through electives in areas like taxation, real estate law or intellectual property. Rather than revisiting foundational legal theory, LLM coursework concentrates on advanced topics.

The degree can also serve as academic preparation for internationally trained lawyers seeking to meet bar eligibility requirements in United States jurisdictions. Although some states restrict bar exam eligibility for foreign-trained lawyers, an LLM can help qualify candidates in jurisdictions that do permit them to sit for the exam.

Career Outcomes

MLS graduates tend to pursue careers where legal knowledge gives them a competitive advantage. Some roles they may pursue include:

• Compliance officer 
• HR manager 
• Healthcare administrator 
• Contracts manager

For LLM graduates, career outcomes center on advanced legal practice. Some internationally trained lawyers may earn an LLM as academic preparation for bar eligibility to practice in the United States. U.S. attorneys can use the degree to:

• Advance into specialized fields of law
• Strengthen candidacy for academic appointments 
• Prepare for senior-level in-house counsel roles

Curriculum

The curriculum structure varies between an MLS and an LLM degree as they have different professional goals and outcomes. Whereas an MLS provides a framework for non-legal professionals who need working knowledge of law but not licensure, an LLM advances expertise for those who hold a first professional law degree.

Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

MLS coursework builds legal literacy in areas that directly affect issues in the professional environment. Students will gain practical expertise, allowing them to interpret regulations, assess legal risk, understand contractual logic and collaborate with legal counsel in industry settings. Students are not trained to make legal decisions, but will be able to understand and apply legal frameworks for better organizational decision making.
Professionals study topics relevant to their workplaces, such as:

• Legal research and writing
• Contracts
• Regulatory compliance
• Employment law
• Intellectual property fundamentals

MLS degrees are highly flexible and adaptable across industries. Many programs offer concentration pathways or graduate certificates in specialized areas, giving students the opportunity to align their coursework with their professional responsibilities. In the online MLS at Northeastern University School of Law, students can choose from concentrations in Business Law, Health Law, Human Resources Law, Intellectual Property Law or Public Law and Policy.

Master of Laws (LLM)

LLM curriculums are structured around specific legal disciplines or overall advanced knowledge of U.S. law. These programs assume that students already have expertise in legal research, writing, analysis and reasoning, so the coursework emphasizes depth, not breadth. For example, a legal professional studying in an LLM with a track in international business might take courses in international sales and arbitration, IP and technology law, international trade and international business transaction. 

Many LLM programs offer additional support to international students seeking to academically prepare for the bar. For example, Northeastern University School of Law’s online LLM offers a Bar Examination Prep track that aids in academically preparing law school graduates and international lawyers who plan to take the California bar exam.

Admissions

Due to the differences in focus, curriculum and career outcomes between the two degrees, the admissions requirements differ significantly, especially in terms of prior academic and professional experience.

Applying to an MLS requires a bachelor’s degree (in any field) from an accredited institution. You don’t need prior legal experience or an LSAT score. Experience is not mandatory, although students will usually have a few years of professional work history.

To apply for an LLM, you are required to hold a first professional law degree, such as a JD, LLB or equivalent. Some programs may set minimum academic performance thresholds or prefer applicants with relevant legal experience. 

For both degrees, international applicants may be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores to demonstrate English proficiency. Additional application materials typically include academic transcripts and letters of recommendation, though specific requirements will vary by institution.

About the Master of Legal Studies Program at Northeastern University

This distinctive online Master of Legal Studies is for non-lawyer professionals who do not wish to practice law but would like to use the law as a means to achieve their goals in environments where legal knowledge is an asset.

Northeastern University is a leading institution that ranks among the nation’s top 10 Most Innovative Schools according to the U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, The National Jurist/preLaw awarded Northeastern Law the #1 ranking for practical legal training.

In this program, you can earn your degree in less than two years as a part-time student. The curriculum offers courses in areas such as Law and Organizational Management, Data Regulation and Compliance, Negotiation and Advocacy, and Law and Strategy.

Designed for non-lawyer professionals, the online MLS helps leaders in highly regulated industries gain the expertise to excel in their careers. Choose a general course of study through your choice of electives, or select one of five concentration options:

• Business Law
• Health Law
• Human Resources Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Public Law and Policy

About the Master of Laws (LLM) From Northeastern University School of Law

Northeastern University School of Law’s online Master of Laws (LLM) program is designed for lawyers trained internationally and in the U.S. to gain a better understanding of the ever-changing U.S. legal environment and the global practice of law.

The online LLM program can be completed in as little as 12 months, and features two industry-informed focus areas: Bar Examination Preparation and International Business.

Northeastern Law’s Master of Laws program was designed with input from a legal advisory group, featuring a curriculum of industry-informed courses that allow students to enhance their practical skills and foundational knowledge.