Best institutions to study Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
Any program in legal research and advanced professional studies not listed above.
42 U.S. institutions graduated 1,551 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 22.0299, a specialization of Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (CIP 22.02), and leads most directly to the Lawyers occupation (BLS SOC 23-1011).
About Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs
Any program in legal research and advanced professional studies not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of specialized areas within legal professions. This program is designed for individuals seeking to deepen their expertise in legal research and various advanced legal studies, preparing them for a range of legal careers. With a focus on topics such as Animal Law, Cybersecurity Law, and Education Law, students can tailor their education to meet their interests and career goals.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers legal interpretation, evidence gathering, and case analysis, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to navigate complex legal environments.
Credentials awarded
What Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree1,108 graduates / yr · 33 institutions71%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate359 graduates / yr · 15 institutions23%
- Post-master's certificate69 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship13 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.8%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 727 |
| 2013 | 921 |
| 2014 | 1,033 |
| 2015 | 1,025 |
| 2016 | 1,019 |
| 2017 | 987 |
| 2018 | 1,292 |
| 2019 | 1,105 |
| 2020 | 1,007 |
| 2021 | 808 |
| 2022 | 1,175 |
| 2023 | 1,213 |
| 2024 | 1,184 |
| 2025 | 1,551 |
Top 42 institutions for Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 215 | 86% | — | — |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 93 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 3 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 82 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 81 | 68% | — | — |
| 5 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 79 | 82% | $38,931 | — |
| 6 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 75 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 7 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster's | 74 | 75% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 62 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 9 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 62 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 10 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 56 | 96% | — | — |
| 11 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 55 | 75% | — | — |
| 12 | St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 52 | 48% | $25,464 | — |
| 13 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 48 | 68% | $28,141 | — |
| 14 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 44 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 15 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicMaster's | 43 | 88% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 36 | 68% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 34 | 75% | — | — |
| 18 | Albany Law School Albany, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 34 | — | — | — |
| 19 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster's | 33 | 85% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicPost-degree cert. | 31 | 40% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicPost-degree cert. | 28 | 65% | — | — |
| 22 | Lewis & Clark College Portland, ORPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 75% | $27,621 | — |
| 23 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 26 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 24 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 26 | 85% | — | — |
| 25 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 25 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 26 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 27 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 19 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 28 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 17 | — | — | $80,825 |
| 29 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | 63% | $31,672 | — |
| 30 | Samford University Birmingham, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 77% | $28,160 | — |
| 31 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 11 | 54% | — | — |
| 32 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 33 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 60% | — | — |
| 34 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster's | 4 | 68% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NEPublicMaster's | 3 | 67% | — | — |
| 36 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicMaster's | 3 | 51% | — | — |
| 37 | Crestpoint University Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitMaster's | 3 | 33% | $15,215 | — |
| 38 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 93% | — | — |
| 39 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - School of Law San Juan, PRPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
| 40 | Little Priest Tribal College Winnebago, NEPublicAssociate's | 2 | 13% | — | — |
| 41 | Thomas M Cooley Law School Lansing, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | — | — | — |
| 42 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 84% | $28,851 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies field (CIP 22.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 26 states & territories
Where Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 23-1011, Lawyers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies program can pursue careers as lawyers or law teachers. The job outlook for legal professions is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 31,500 annual openings. The median wage for lawyers is $151,160, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 22.0299
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lawyersprimary SOC 23-1011 | $159,670 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~31,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Law Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1112 | $128,500 | +2.2% About as fast as average | ~2,200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Analyze the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions by such means as interviewing clients and witnesses to ascertain the facts of a case.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of cases.
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
Tools and technology used
Other Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies specializations
The 24 other 6-digit CIP codes under Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (CIP 22.02).
- Advanced Legal Research/CIP 22.0201
Studies 5,052 graduates / yr77 institutions - Programs for Foreign LawyersCIP 22.02021,380 graduates / yr34 institutions
- American/CIP 22.0203
U.S. Law/ Legal Studies/ Jurisprudence 949 graduates / yr40 institutions - Tax Law/CIP 22.0211
Taxation 749 graduates / yr24 institutions - Health LawCIP 22.0208448 graduates / yr21 institutions
- International Law and Legal StudiesCIP 22.0209388 graduates / yr24 institutions
- Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities LawCIP 22.0205353 graduates / yr25 institutions
- International Business, Trade, and Tax LawCIP 22.0210316 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources LawCIP 22.0207255 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Human Resources LawCIP 22.0220partial data235 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Intellectual Property LawCIP 22.0212110 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Arts and Entertainment LawCIP 22.0215limited data98 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Comparative LawCIP 22.0206partial data84 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Real Estate and Land Development LawCIP 22.0222limited data56 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Tribal/CIP 22.0224
Indigenous Law partial data56 graduates / yr7 institutions - Compliance LawCIP 22.0216partial data38 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Criminal Law and ProcedureCIP 22.0217partial data30 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Entrepreneurship LawCIP 22.0218limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
- Patent LawCIP 22.0213limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 5 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Canadian Law/
Legal Studies/ Jurisprudence22.0204 - Agriculture Law22.0214
- Family/
Child/ Elder Law22.0219 - Insurance Law22.0221
- Transportation Law22.0223
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Post-master's certificate, or a Doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and legal analysis.
What are common career paths after graduation?+
Common career paths include becoming a lawyer or a law teacher.
What is the job outlook for legal professionals?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1%.
What is the CIP code for Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies?+
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies is CIP 22.0299 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (CIP 22.02). NCES defines it as: Any program in legal research and advanced professional studies not listed above.
How many institutions offer Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies programs?+
42 U.S. institutions reported Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 26 states & territories, awarding 1,551 credentials in the year. That is 12.8% of all Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates.
How much do Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Lawyers occupation, which Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $159,670 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies field report median earnings of $80,825 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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