Master of Business Administration vs. Master of Legal Studies

When planning for the future, it is important for professionals to consider which degree path can provide them with skills that closely align with their goals.

A Master of Legal Studies is a specialized degree program that can help legally minded professionals stand out in a crowded job market. Students will enhance many of the same soft skills as in an MBA program, such as communication, critical thinking, and problem solving, but they will focus on gaining expertise in law instead of management and quantitative skills.

Master of Business Administration

While MBA programs can vary widely, students in a typical MBA program can expect to:

  • Take courses in economics, accounting, data analytics, marketing, and other business topics.
  • Prepare for roles in businesses or nonprofits leading people or strategy.
  • Submit standardized test scores, such as the GMAT or GRE, as part of their application.
  • Graduate in an average of 18 to 36 months.

Master of Legal Studies

In Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s online Master of Legal Studies program, students can expect to:

  • Take courses in contracts, regulatory compliance, negotiation theory, administrative law, and other legal topics.
  • Graduate in 16 months if taking a full-time course load or 28 months if taking a part-time course load. See sample course schedules.
  • Apply to the program without having to submit scores from the GRE, LSAT, GMAT, or other standardized test.
  • Excel in law-adjacent fields such as healthcare administration, public policy, regulatory agencies, criminal justice, and dispute resolution.