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  5. Master of Legal Studies

Master of Legal Studies

MLS
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Program Minimum Units
37 Units
University Minimum Units
35 Units
Program Length
1 Years
Interests
Business & Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Government, Politics & Current Events, Social Justice
Academic Areas
Law

Overview

The MLS (Master of Legal Studies) is a non-professional degree designed to introduce a small number of graduate students and scholars in other disciplines to the foundations of the legal system, the basic modes of legal argumentation and analysis, legal procedure, and the substantive law of selected areas. The MLS is intended primarily for those pursuing academic careers.

Exceptionally qualified MLS applicants may also apply to participate in the SPILS Program opens in a new tab.

Requirements

Core Program Requirements

Unit Requirement

To obtain the MLS degree, a student must complete four Autumn Quarter Law School courses, at least three of which must be 1L required courses (at least one of which must be Legal Research and Writing) plus an additional 24 approved quarter units of coursework.

Course Requirements

  • Successful completion, during the Autumn Quarter, of four Law School courses, at least three of which must be those required of first-year law students in the Autumn Quarter and at least one of which must be Legal Writing.

  • Successful completion of additional courses at the Law School relevant to the candidate’s interest. Those courses may include Winter Quarter first-year courses, including Federal Litigation in a Global Context.

  • Successful completion of at least one course, seminar, or directed research project in which a paper or other form of prepared written work involving a substantial independent effort on the part of the student constitutes a principal part of the assigned work (i.e., a course that would count for “R” credit).