What Is the Easiest Law Degree?

Law school is notoriously difficult, but not all law programs are the same. Some are harder, while others are much easier to complete.

So, what's the easiest law degree? The easiest law degree for most students is a Master's in Legal Studies degree.

Why Is a Master of Legal Studies the Easiest Law Degree?

There are several types of law degrees that a student can earn. These include:

• Master of Legal Studies: A Master's in Legal Studies (MLS) is for non-lawyers who want a more thorough understanding of the law. May also be called a Master of Science in Law or Master in the Study of Law (MSL).
• Juris Doctorate: A Juris Doctorate (JD) is the type of degree generally required to take the bar exam and become a licensed attorney
• Master of Laws: A Master of Laws (LLM) degree is for those who already hold a JD but want to specialize in a particular field of law
• Doctor of Juridical Science: A Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree is a type of advanced law degree for those with their JD and LLM

By looking at that information, you may already be figuring out why a Master's in Legal Studies is the easiest type of law degree, but we'll break it down for you below.

Fewer Admissions Requirements

Of the law degrees listed above, the Master of Legal Studies has the fewest admissions requirements.

While admissions requirements vary between programs, you'll need a bachelor's degree.

Most programs do not require you to hold a specific type of bachelor's degree to be admitted into an MLS program.

As an MLS is usually for those in other fields, you'll likely have a bachelor's in that field.

Other requirements for an MLS degree may include:

• Resume
• Personal statement or essay
• Letters of recommendation
• Standardized testing

Some Master of Legal Studies programs may require or encourage you to submit Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) test scores.

However, an MLS degree does not require you to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), which is often required for admission into a Juris Doctorate program.

JD programs are also more likely to require things like letters of recommendation and resumes.

To earn your LLM or your SJD, you will first need to have completed your bachelor's degree and your JD, as opposed to just the bachelor's degree required by an MLS program.

Less Time to Earn Your Degree

Both Master's in Legal Studies programs and Juris Doctorate programs require students to first have a bachelor's degree, which takes about four years of study.

However, the two graduate degrees take different amounts of time to complete.

A Juris Doctorate program usually takes about three years of full-time study, though some accelerated programs may allow you to earn your degree in less time.

Then, if you earn a Master of Laws on top of that, you're adding a year or two.

A Doctor of Juridical Science adds another two years.

A Master's in Legal Studies degree, on the other hand, can usually be completed within one to two years.

This type of program is often available online, making it even easier to complete your degree.

Less Pressure

Juris Doctorate programs are often intense and competitive as students vie for internships and study hard to pass the bar exam.

However, students earning their Master of Legal Studies degree are not preparing to take the bar exam, and usually have a field of work in mind that is outside of law.

While some programs may still be intense and competitive, they are far less so than Juris Doctorate programs typically are.

What Can You Do With a Master of Legal Studies Degree?

Master of Legal Studies degrees are commonly sought by those in corporate or business settings.

Some common roles for those with Master of Legal Studies degrees include:

• Compliance manager or director
• Contract negotiation manager
• Health services manager
• Human resources manager or director
• Tax manager

In essence, a Master's in Legal Studies is for those with jobs that require extensive legal knowledge, but do not require a Juris Doctorate or the services of a licensed attorney.

What to Expect in a Master of Legal Studies Program

Master of Legal Studies programs usually require somewhere between 28-34 credit hours and can take anywhere from one to two years to complete for full-time students.

Your program may be offered on campus or online.

You'll typically have core courses that cover key legal studies topics like:

• Business law
• Civil procedure and litigation
• Contract law
• Legal writing and research
• Regulatory law

Your program will also likely allow you to choose electives so you can tailor your degree to your intended career path.

Find a Master of Legal Studies Program Today

The easiest law degree to earn is a Master of Legal Studies degree.

For more information about earning a Master of Legal Studies or for help finding a program, reach out to Learn.org today.