Master of Legal Studies Program Structure


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 do more may take law classes up to four years, with the optional units 27-32 at no additional tuition charge ($14,388 value).

M.L.S. Curriculum Explained

Online = Weekly, scheduled classes held live on Zoom

Hybrid = Weekly, scheduled classes held at least one night each live online and on campus

On-Campus = Weekly, scheduled classes held live at UCLA campus

  • 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.

    1. Introduction to American Law
    2. Private Law: Property and Contract
    3. Public Law: Constitutional and Statutory Analysis
    4. Legal Communication and Analysis
    5. Business Law for Non-Lawyers OR The American Dispute Resolution System
  • Phase 2: M.L.S. Specializations & Electives - Online, Hybrid, and On-Campus Options

    Students may elect to take either J.D. courses during the day on campus and/or flexible evening classes designed specifically for M.L.S. students. See below for information on each specialization.

    Part-Time Students

    Online and/or on-campus options 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

    Full-Time Students

    Online and/or on-campus options available for the following specializations:

    • Business Law
    • General Studies (no specialization)

    On-campus classes required for the following specializations:

    • Employment & Human Resources Law
    • Entertainment & Media Law
    • Environmental Law
    • Government & National Security Law
    • Health Law & Policy
    • Law & Technology
    • Public Interest Law
  • 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.

    1. 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.
    2. Seminar course
      There are several paper-based law courses which satisfy the capstone requirement.

Time Investment - Part-Time

The Part-Time option is ideal for professionals who are working full-time.

  • Part-Time - Degree Completion: 2-4 years

    PART-TIME STUDENT TIMELINE: YEAR 1

    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 workshops and program sessions (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 and 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 and hybrid classes in the evenings (1 course: 9 hours of work / week OR 2 courses: 18 hours of work / week)

     

    PART-TIME STUDENT TIMELINE: YEAR 2 (3 & 4)

    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 and hybrid 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 and hybrid 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

The Full-Time option is ideal for:

  1. Recent graduates;
  2. International students on F-1 visas;
  3. Entry-level professionals, with 2 or less years of experience; or
  4. Fully-employed professionals with the flexibility to take a sabbatical from work.
  • Full-Time - Degree Completion: 9 months

    FULL-TIME STUDENT TIMELINE

    Acceptance: See website 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 workshops and program sessions (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 and hybrid classes in the evenings with some on-campus classes (40 hours of work / week)

    Spring Semester: 

    Early January: Optional J-term short courses (2 weeks)

    Late January to Mid-May: Online and hybrid classes in the evenings with some on-campus classes (40 hours of work / week)

    Commencement: Mid-May - Final Year

Important Dates

  • 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

  • 2024-2025 Academic Year Dates*

    *to be updated upon release of final Law Academic Calendar

    M.L.S. Orientation: July 2024 (online)

    M.L.S. Launch Week: August 3-7, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I work full time and earn an M.L.S. degree?

    Yes, but you will need to have some flexibility in your work schedule. Core M.L.S. courses will be offered between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on weeknights. 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 range in time from the morning into the evening. Limited courses are remote. 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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