Master of Legal Studies Specializations
Students may select from one of eight specializations. These classes generally are taken from the J.D. curriculum with J.D. students (M.L.S. students are graded separately from J.D. students), but some specific courses of interest are created for the M.L.S students. With over 200+ courses to choose from ranging in time from the morning into the evening, we will work with you to craft the best schedule.
The eight specializations are:
- Business Law
- Employment & Human Resources Law
- Entertainment & Media Law
- Environmental Law
- Government & National Security Law
- Health Law & Policy
- Law & Technology
- Public Interest Law
Students who want to take a variety of courses may elect General Studies or self-design an individual program (with approval) in lieu of a specialization.
See below for more details on each specialization.
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As a leader and someone who wants to continually progress their career in a corporation, I can focus on media and entertainment, but also better understand HR, which could help me on a COO path. As opposed to an MBA, the MLS will teach me the content that can really help sharpen my skills. Brad Burnside (MLS '24) Vice President of Creative Music Strategy ViacomCBS |
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I want to pursue this degree because it provides the perfect opportunity to learn in depth about the law in a specialized and timely way. I am excited about the ability to specialize in topics that interest me, while learning from the incredible professors UCLA has to offer. Olivia Athens (MLS '22) Professional Soccer Player OL Reign |
View descriptions for each specialization and a list of sample courses.
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Business Law
A flexible specialization–very popular with CEO’s, VP’s, and professionals in asset management and real estate. Learn with the best in the world on topics including: Contracts, Taxation, Compliance, Business, and Entrepreneurship.
#4 Top Law School for Business Law (2017 Law Street Specialty Ranking)
#5 Best Tax Law Programs (2020 U.S. & World Report Best Law Schools Ranking)
I felt that it was important to explore the intersection of law and business. I'm really looking forward to building a legal framework within which I can make better business decisions as I pursue my entrepreneurial ventures.
Raj Singh (MLS '24)
Implementation Manager
RoofstockSample of course options*:
Contracts
- Contract Analysis
- Contract Design
- Negotiation Theory and Practice
Business and Entrepreneurship
- Business Associations
- Entrepreneurship and Venture Initiation
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Regulatory Compliance
- Financial Institution Compliance
- Securities Regulation
- Director and Officer Insurance and Corporate Governance
- Regulatory Compliance
- Privacy, Data & Cyber Security Law
Real Estate and Asset Management
- Real Estate Finance
- Real Estate Transactions
- Complex Finance Transactions
- Mergers and Acquisitions
Taxation
- Introduction to Federal Income Taxation
- Taxation of Business Enterprises
- State and Local Taxation
- U.S. International Taxation
*Not every course is offered every year.
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Employment & Human Resources Law
This specialization is for Human Resources professionals looking to gain an edge in a field where the language of the workplace is the law. UCLA School of Law is extremely strong in employment law, and is a natural fi t to advance the career of everyone looking to study in this specialization. With over 300,000 businesses in Los Angeles, there is no shortage of opportunities for advancement in this field.
I want to continue advancing in Human Resources and one day be an HR consultant. I believe it is important for me to build a legal skill set to be successful in my profession. Attending law school will challenge me to think outside the box and be analytical when approaching legal matters.
Raymond Mercado (MLS '23)
Human Resources Manager
Life Steps Foundation, Inc.Sample of course options*:
- Arbitration Law
- Employment Law
- Employment Discrimination
- Disability Law
- Contract Analysis
- Negotiation Theory and Practice
- Privacy, Data and Technology
- Executive Compensation
- Health Law and Policy
- Labor Law
- Navigating through the Entertainment Unions and Guilds
*Not every course is offered every year.
Those who are looking into this program who work in Human Resources will not only learn more about HR and employment law, but also how to think like a lawyer, which is important for our everyday [operations].
Megan Perrin (MLS '22)
Vice President of Human Resources
STX EntertainmentHaving a deep understanding of employment law will offer me greater expertise and position me for future roles. I'm looking forward to learning the intricacies involved in employment and human resource law, becoming an improved analytical thinker, meeting similar professionals, and expanding my social and professional network.
Clifton Trotter (MLS '24)
Director of Equity
Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority -
Entertainment & Media Law
UCLA School of Law is ranked #1 in the country in entertainment law and is located in the heart of the entertainment and media capital of the world, located 8 miles from Hollywood. This specialization utilizes the strength of location to bring some of the top connections in the industry in the world right to you. Entertainment professionals are drawn towards this specialization for several reasons, including:
- The higher up you climb, the more prevalent the law becomes.
- A higher sophistication in copyright, licensing, and patent law.
- Enhanced training from the top negotiators in the world.
- Learn from the top faculty in the world on entertainment and media law.
#1 Best Entertainment Law School (2022 Hollywood Reporter Top Law Schools Ranking)
The network I added from this program assisted me with landing some interviews, and the M.L.S. program was instrumental in landing my [previous] position as a Contract Administrator in the Business and Legal Affairs department at Fox.
Miranda Wilcox (MLS '21)
Business Affairs Manager
Trailer Park GroupSample of course options*:
- Entertainment Law
- Music Industry Law
- Contract Analysis
- Negotiation Theory and Practice
- Intellectual Property
- Copyright Law
- Trademark Law
- International Intellectual Property
- International Sports Law
- News Media Law in the Digital Age
- Television Law
*Not every course is offered every year.
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Environmental Law
UCLA Law houses one of the top environmental law programs in the world. Based at UCLA Law, the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment is the country’s leading law school-based center focusing on climate change and other crucial challenges in environmental law and policy. Come and learn from the best!
#1 Environmental Law Program (U.S. News & World Report 2022 Rankings)
What I’ve learned from the M.L.S. program has been very applicable to the day to day work I do. It has been a tactical use of my time; growing myself and my business.
Wannie Park (MLS '22)
Chief Executive Officer
Zen EcosystemsSample of course options*:
- Environmental Law and Policy
- Land Use
- Energy Law and Regulation
- Public Natural Resources Law and Policy
- Climate Change and Energy Law
- Topics in California Environmental Law
- Comparative Environmental Law
- International Environmental Law and Policy
- Water Law
*Not every course is offered every year.
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Government & National Security Law
UCLA Law is a preeminent training ground for students committed to the practice of criminal justice. Our rigorous criminal justice curriculum encompasses the basic substantive requirements for criminal liability; the procedural rules that accompany the trial process, as well as the doctrines, rules and policies governing the demonstration of facts in court; and the theoretical underpinnings of both criminal law and the U.S. criminal justice system.
I am looking to further my understanding of the US Justice system, and the MLS will help me achieve this.
Dawit Yohanes (MLS '21)Sample of course options*:
- Contract Analysis
- Constitutional Criminal Procedure
- National Security Law
- Cybersecurity Law and Policy
- Federal White Collar Crime
- Capital Punishment in America
- Anti-Terrorism and Criminal Enforcement
- Prison Law and Policy
- International and Transnational Criminal Law
- Regulatory Compliance
*Not every course is offered every year.
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Health Law & Policy
Health care is a highly regulated industry with constantly changing legal challenges. This specialization is ideal for those who wish to accelerate their careers in health policy, health care administration, or clinical care.
I collaborate with senior leaders, clinical professionals, legal teams, risk management, and leaders and staff from all departments to improve systems, reduce risk of error, improve clinical outcomes, and ensure patient safety. My experience in this role has profoundly increased my interest and enthusiasm in better understanding complex legal matters particularly in Health Law and Policy.
Anet Sinanyan (MLS '23)
Director of Patient Safety
UCLA HealthSample of course options*:
- Health Law and Policy
- Health care Regulatory Compliance
- Public Health Law and Policy
- Privacy, Data and Technology
- Introduction to Food Law and Policy
- Administrative Law
- Cannabis Law and Regulation
- Legislation and Regulation
- Disability Law
- Regulatory Compliance
- Tax-Exempt Organizations
*Not every course is offered every year.
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Law & Technology
As technology and the law become more intertwined, UCLA Law will prepare you with the expertise required in this quickly evolving field. Whether you are a patent agent, cybersecurity professional, engineer, data privacy officer, or information protection specialist, this program will prepare you for the future.
This program has been a great cross-training on something that is persuasive in my professional and personal life. The skills I learned have directly made an impact on how I approach my work.
Daniel Lafeir (MLS '23)
Lead Consultant
ThoughtworksSample of course options*:
- Intellectual Property
- Patent Law
- Copyright Law
- Trademark Law
- Telecommunications Regulation
- Privacy, Data and Technology
- Cybersecurity, Law and Policy
- Future Law: Law and Governance under Transformative Societal Trends
- Antitrust Law
*Not every course is offered every year.
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Public Interest Law
UCLA is home to one of the most innovative and successful public interest programs in the nation. The David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy offers membership in a vibrant community of students and faculty as well as an intellectually ambitious curriculum that grapples with the fundamental questions in public interest advocacy.
I'm aware of how the legal system touches so many of our lives. Being from Los Angeles and born to immigrant parents and covering Latino L.A., I feel a responsibility to learn more about law. I'm looking forward to making new friends and learning from my colleagues and professors, who I know are among the brightest there is.
Alejandra Reyes (MLS '23)
Metro Reporter
The Los Angeles TimesSample of course options*:
- Civil Rights
- Disability Law
- Education and the Law
- Election Law
- Environmental Law and Policy
- Human Rights and Animal Rights
- Immigration Law
- Public Benefits Law and Anti-Poverty Policy
- Tax-Exempt Organizations
- Women and the Law
- Contract Analysis
*Not every course is offered every year.
I want to bridge the gap between my policy expertise and the substantive language of the law to help my policy advocacy.
Anthony Jones (MLS '22)
Chief Investment Officer
National Funding Foundations
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I wanted to be able to take courses that are intellectually interesting, professionally and personally applicable, and that could help me be more efficient and effective at my job. Josh Brackett (MLS '22) Managing Director Right Size Media |
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