Master of Legal Studies
Master of Legal Studies
The Bruin Bump
"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 M.L.S. degree from UCLA, I started to get more interviews and eventually was offered a position! I truly feel that my M.L.S. degree contributed significantly to landing a role at Disney."
David Holtkamp (MLS '21)
Human Resources Business Partner
The Walt Disney Company
Course of Study
Course of Study
MLS 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
Part-Time and Full-Time Students can take the Core Curriculum either:
- Online: Tuesday & Thursday evenings live online
OR
- 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 American Dispute Resolution System
Students may elect to take either JD 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
- Business Law
- Employment & Human Resources Law
- Entertainment & Media Law
- Health Law & Policy
- Law & Technology
- General Studies (no specialization)
Requires on-campus classes
- Criminal Law
- Environmental Law
- Government & National Security Law
- Public Interest Law
Full-Time Students
Online and/or on-campus options available
- Business Law
- General Studies (no specialization)
Requires on-campus classes
- Criminal Law
- Employment & Human Resources Law
- Entertainment & Media Law
- Environmental Law
- Government & National Security Law
- Health Law & Policy
- Law & Technology
- Public Interest Law
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.
Time Investment
Time Investment
The Part-Time option is ideal for professionals who are working full-time.
PART-TIME STUDENT TIMELINE: YEAR 1
Acceptance
See website for application deadlines and decision release dates.
Connection
January-June: Optional online and in-person events
optional: 1-2 hours / week
Preparation
July-August: Optional online and in-person events
optional: 1-2 hours / week
Orientation
Mid-August: Mandatory live, in-person class sessions
1 week (exact dates to be released)
Year 1: Fall 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
Year 1: Spring 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)
Year 2 (3 & 4): Fall 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
Year 2 (3 & 4): Spring 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
The Full-Time option is ideal for:
- Recent graduates;
- International students on F-1 visas;
- Entry-level professionals, with 2 or less years of experience; or
- Fully-employed professionals with the flexibility to take a sabbatical from work.
FULL-TIME STUDENT TIMELINE
Acceptance
See website for application deadlines and decision release dates.
Connection
January-June: Optional online and in-person events
optional: 1-2 hours / week
Preparation
July-August: Optional online and in-person events
optional: 1-2 hours / week
Orientation
Mid-August: Mandatory live, in-person class sessions
1 week (exact dates to be released)
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
Specializations
Specializations
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.
Business Law
Ideal for executives, investors, and those in wealth management and insurance
Criminal Law
Designed for professionals working in criminal justice at the local, state, and federal courts or agencies.
Employment & Human Resources Law
Ideal for human resource professionals looking to gain an edge in the industry and for those looking to enter consulting
Entertainment & Media Law
Ideal for entertainment professionals wanting to master the legal structures that make the industry tick
Environmental Law
Ideal for the private sector and scientific professionals looking to master the laws and regulations relevant to the industry
Governmental & National Security Law
Ideal for those in law enforcement, investigations, government, and criminal justice
Health Law & Policy
Ideal for health care professionals, compliance officials, nurses, and doctors
Law & Technology
Ideal for technologists, cybersecurity and data privacy professionals, and information security professionals
Public Interest Law
Opportunities available in a variety of public interest fields, ranging from immigration to criminal justice to education and prison reform
Students interested in multiple areas of law can select their own curriculum either with General Studies (no specialization) or propose their own for approval (Self-Designed).
Class Profile: M.L.S. by the Numbers
Class Profile: M.L.S. by the Numbers
Student Life
Student Life
With private networking dinners, community events and an exclusive LinkedIn group, M.L.S. students have countless opportunities to connect with colleagues within and across industries.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and Fees
Tuition cost for 2024-2025 academic year: $2,500 per unit for 26 units
- 26 unit program
- Part-time students completing the program in four semesters average 6-7 units per semester
- Full-time students complete the program in two semesters and average 13 units per semester
- Approximately $450 per semester in university and campus fees
- Health insurance and campus housing (full-time students only) are available at an additional cost
Optional units #27-32 (2 classes) are TUITION FREE. $14,388 value.
Scholarships
Scholarships
- Bruin Scholarship: $5,000
Awarded to admitted students who demonstrate outstanding academic merit and/or professional accomplishment. - Blue and Gold Scholarship: $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000
Awarded to admitted students who demonstrate: 1) extraordinary financial need; or 2) personal circumstances warranting additional aid. Application required. - Outstanding Achievement Scholarship: $5,000
Awarded to admitted students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, or other outstanding achievements. Application required. - Government & Non-Profit Leader Scholarship: $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000
Awarded to fully-employed career leaders in the government or non-profit sectors. Application required. - University Employee Scholarship: $25,000
Awarded to career university or healthcare employees. - Healthcare Employee Scholarship: $25,000
Awarded to career university or healthcare employees. - Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship: $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000
Awarded to fully-employed career leaders working in or advancing EDI in their field and/or organization. - Dean's Journalism Scholarship: 100% tuition scholarship, one awarded per year
Awarded to one admitted fully-employed professional in media, broadcasting, or journalism. Program application must be submitted by April 1st for consideration.