- Program Structure
- Specializations
- Student Profile
- Career Advancement
- Tuition and Scholarships
- Application Information
- Admission Events
Course of Study
With online, hybrid and on-campus options, the Master of Legal Studies program has a balance of foundational training on "thinking like a lawyer" and specialized courses tailored to the student's interest and career focus. As such, the program is designed to be completed in three phases (as outlined below). The program can be completed in 9 months with full-time study or 2-4 years with part-time study. A minimum of 26 units is required to complete the degree, but students wishing to take more classes may do so for up to four years before graduating.
M.L.S. Curriculum Explained
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Phase 1: Core Curriculum - Online or Hybrid Options
Part-Time and Full-Time Students can take the Core Curriculum either 1) Online OR 2) Hybrid:
- Online: Tuesday & Thursday evenings live online
- Hybrid: Tuesday evenings on campus & Thursday evenings live online
These courses are designed exclusively for M.L.S. students.
- Introduction to American Law
- Private Law: Property and Contract
- Public Law: Constitutional and Statutory Analysis
- Legal Communication and Analysis
- Business Law for Non-Lawyers OR The Civil Dispute Resolution System
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Phase 2: M.L.S. Specializations & Electives - Online and On-Campus Options
Students may elect to take either courses during the day on campus (with JD and LLM students) and/or flexible evening classes designed specifically for M.L.S. students. See below for information on each specialization.
Online, on campus, or a mix of both elective courses available for the following specializations:
- Business Law
- Employment & Human Resources Law
- Entertainment & Media Law
- Health Law & Policy
- Law & Technology
- General Studies (no specialization)
On-campus classes required for the following specializations:
- Environmental Law
- Government & National Security Law
- Public Interest Law
- Criminal Law
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Phase 3: Capstone - Online
Taken online only, the Capstone allows students to deeply engage with issues relevant to their career focus or intellectual interest. There are two ways to satisfy this requirement.
- Capstone Seminar
This course guides the student through a project applying the skills and knowledge gained in the program to a "real world" scenario. This is flexible, but could include a project at work or a project completed with professor guidance. - Seminar course
There are several paper-based law courses which satisfy the capstone requirement.
- Capstone Seminar
Time Investment - Part-Time
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Part-Time - Degree Completion: 2-4 years
Acceptance: See here for application deadlines and decision release dates.
Connection: February-June - Optional online and in-person networking events, mixers, & Admit Day (optional: 1-2 hours / week)
Online Orientation: July - Online Orientation sessions once a week (2 hours / week)
M.L.S. Launch Week: Early August - Mandatory live, in-person class sessions (5 days, 8am-5pm)
Fall 1 Semester: Late August to Early December - Online or hybrid classes in the evenings (1 course: 9 hours of work / week OR 2 courses: 18 hours of work / week)
Spring 1 Semester:
Early January: Optional J-term short courses (2 weeks)
Late January to Mid-May: Online or hybrid classes in the evenings (1 course: 9 hours of work / week OR 2 courses: 18 hours of work / week)
Summer Break: Mid-May to Late August - Optional short courses (9 hours of work / week) OR 3 months off (0 hours / week)
Fall 2 (3&4) Semester: Late August to Early December - Online or on campus classes in the evenings and/or on-campus classes during the day (1 course: 9 hours of work / week OR 2 courses: 18 hours of work / week)
Spring 2 (3&4) Semester
Early January: Optional J-term short courses (2 weeks)
Late January to Mid-May: Online or on campus classes in the evenings and/or on-campus classes during the day (1 course: 9 hours of work / week OR 2 courses: 18 hours of work / week)
Commencement: Mid-May - Final Year
Time Investment - Full-Time
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Full-Time - Degree Completion: 9 months
Acceptance: See admissions pages for application deadlines and decision release dates.
Connection: February-June - Optional online and in-person networking events, mixers, & Admit Day (optional: 1-2 hours / week)
Online Orientation: July - Online Orientation sessions once a week (2 hours / week)
M.L.S. Launch Week: Early August - Mandatory live, in-person class sessions (5 days, 8am-5pm)
Fall Semester: Late August to Early December - Online classes in the evenings and/or hybrid and on campus courses throughout the day (40 hours of work / week)
Spring Semester:
Early January: Optional J-term short courses (2 weeks)
Late January to Mid-May: Online classes in the evenings and/or hybrid and on campus courses throughout the day (40 hours of work / week)
Commencement: Mid-May - Final Year
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Want to learn more?
Join us at an information session where we discuss all the relevant details! Bring your questions.
Academic Dates: Start of program!
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2025-2026 Academic Year Dates
M.L.S. Orientation: July 2024 (online)
M.L.S. Launch Week: August 2-6, 2025 (Tentative)
For full academic calendar, see here.
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2024-2025 Academic Year Dates
M.L.S. Orientation: July 2024 (online)
M.L.S. Launch Week: August 3-7, 2024
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2023-2024 Academic Year Dates
Orientation and Short Course (Introduction to Law): August 14-18, 2023
Fall 2023 Semester Instruction: August 21-November 22, 2023
Fall 2023 Examination Period: December 1-15, 2023
Spring 2024 Semester Instruction: January 16-April 23, 2024
Spring 2024 Examination Period: April 29-May 9, 2024
Commencement: May 10, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I work full time and earn an M.L.S. degree?
Yes, this is extremely common for our part time students. Courses will be offered between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on weeknights with flexible online and hybrid options for our working professionals. Courses for 3 units of credit typically meet twice a week during the semester for approximately 80 minutes each, while courses for 2 units of credit typically meet once a week for 120 minutes. Specialization courses can be completed completely online in the evening for certain specializations. If you prefer on campus courses, the core curriculum can be completed in a hybrid fashion in the evenings. Limited courses are available on campus in the evenings. Numerous (over 90+ a semester) course options are available on campus during the day if you can make that work in your schedule. Our academic advisors will work with you to create a plan that balances your work requirements with the opportunity to access the unmatched curriculum of UCLA Law.
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If I want to earn a J.D. and become a lawyer, should I earn an M.L.S. first?
The M.L.S. course of study is not a pre-J.D. program. While students who earn an M.L.S. degree may subsequently apply to J.D. programs at UCLA or elsewhere, under American Bar Association regulations, no law school may award credit toward a J.D. for any coursework taken during an M.L.S. degree program. If you wish to become a licensed lawyer, you should earn a J.D., not an M.L.S.
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Can I practice law with an M.L.S. degree?
No. The M.L.S. degree will not qualify you to sit for a bar examination or obtain a license to practice law.