Master of Legal Studies | M.L.S. Degree Program

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What is a Master of Legal Studies?
This online, hybrid and on-campus program provides graduate‐level legal education for non‐lawyers whose professional success will be aided by obtaining a working knowledge of the law. Earn a master's degree that is ideal for non-lawyers in any field – from the private, nonprofit or government sectors – who need to understand complex legal matters and navigate laws, regulations, disputes, or attorneys.

Why earn a Master of Legal Studies?
With online, hybrid and on-campus, this program is suitably designed for both working professionals and full-time students who are looking to learn the language of the law, challenge themselves, and create new career opportunities.

Read why these students chose to attend our program at the #1 Public University in America and the #1 law school in Southern California:

Law is a part of every single profession. Knowing the law and knowing how to think like a lawyer puts you well ahead in any position.

Victoria Hong (MLS '24)
Director of Corporate Communications
Delaware North Companies

This program can help you expand your comfort of the law. It challenges you to use your brain in different ways and it's helping me expand my work and my own business.

Aaliyah Williams (MLS '23)
Founder/Producer
Just a Rebel, Inc.

The skills I have learned even after just one semester have directly made an impact on how I approach my work.

Daniel LaFeir (MLS '23)
Lead Consultant Developer
ThoughtWorks

In any business, you want to pick up the skillset of thinking like a lawyer; how lawyers argue and the techniques they use. You already start to pick that up when you go through the classes and can apply that to your current role and to a wide range of topics.

Patrick Ip (MLS '23)
Chief Executive Officer
Solar Plus Investments

Program Highlights

Flexibility for the working professional with online and hybrid options
Complete in nine months full-time or 2-4 years part-time
9 specializations to tailor the program to your career interests
Acquire the legal knowledge and skills to enhance and accelerate your career
Earn a legal degree from the nation's most applied to university that is ranked both as the #1 public university & Southern California's #1 ranked law school
Engage in our vibrant community and join UCLA's extensive alumni network
Network with like-minded individuals within and across industries in Southern California and beyond with the vast UCLA network
Learn from world-renowned faculty who are leading experts in their fields of law
Scholarships and financial aid available

	I recently started a position with the Walt Disney Company. I had been trying for years to work there, but never broke through. After I updated my resume with my MLS degree from UCLA, I started to get more interviews and eventually was offered a position! I truly feel that my MLS degree contributed significantly to landing a role at Disney. Dave Holtkamp (MLS '21) Human Resources Business Partner The Walt Disney Company

Program Structure

A flexible curriculum with online, hybrid and on-campus options to meet the needs of the working professional.


PHASE 1: M.L.S. Core Curriculum Online or Hybrid Options These core courses are designed exclusively for M.L.S. students. Hybrid Section: Meets on Tu/Th from about 6:30-9:30 PM with the Tuesday on campus and the Thursday online. Online Section: Meets on Tu/Th from about 6:30-9:30 PM with both nights online.	PHASE 2: M.L.S. Specializations for the Elective Courses Online, On-campus, or a mix of both: 1. Business Law 2. Employment & HR Law 3. Entertainment & Media Law 4. Health Law & Policy 5. Law & Technology On Campus: 6. Criminal Law (NEW!) 7. Gov't and National Security 8. Public Interest Law 9. Environmental Law *Note: General Studies is for those who want flexibility in course selection and complete no specialization. It can be completed online, on-campus, or a mix of both.	PHASE 3: Capstone Online The capstone allows students in their final semester to deeply engage with issues relevant to their career focus or intellectual interest. Students may satisfy this requirement through the Capstone Seminar course in their final semester through either an academic paper or presentation.

Specializations: A Tailored Curriculum


Business Law Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both Ideal for executives, investors, and those in wealth management and insurance	Employment & HR Law Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both Ideal for human resource professionals looking to gain an edge in the industry and for those looking to enter consulting	Entertainment & Media Law Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both Ideal for entertainment professionals wanting to master the legal structures that make the industry tick
Health Law & Policy Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both Ideal for health care professionals, compliance officials, nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors	Law & Technology Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both Ideal for technologists, cybersecurity and data privacy professionals, AI professionals, and information security professionals	Criminal Law (NEW!) On Campus, or a Mix of Online and on Campus Ideal for those working in criminal justice at the federal, state or local level.
Government & National Security On Campus, or a Mix of Online and on Campus Ideal for those who work in the government at the federal, state, or local level	Public Interest Law On Campus, or a Mix of Online and on Campus Opportunities in a variety of public interest fields, ranging from immigration to criminal justice to education and prison reform	Environmental Law On Campus, or a Mix of Online and on Campus Ideal for those in energy sectors, scientists, researchers, environmentalists, and clean energy entrepreneurs