Master of Legal Studies

Apply today to join the incoming class in Fall 2025

Online, hybrid and on-campus options available

Admission Requirements

Bachelor's degree with 3.0+ GPA OR graduate degree earned from an accredited university*
No GRE or LSAT test scores required

*Applicants who do not meet the minimum-GPA requirement and have substantial work experience are still encouraged to apply.

Application Materials

UCLA Division of Graduate Education online application
Statement of Purpose, 500 words
Personal Statement, 500 words
2-3 Letters of Recommendation
Resume / C.V.
Undergraduate Transcripts
Scholarship Statements (optional)

See below for details on each material.

Priority Application Deadline:
October 28, 2024

Early Application Deadline:
March 3, 2025

General Application Deadline:
June 2, 2025

Priority Application Deadline:
October 28, 2024

Early Application Deadline:
March 3, 2025

General Application Deadline:
June 2, 2025

Connect with UCLA's Master of Legal Studies

Connect with UCLA's
Master of Legal Studies

"The M.L.S. program expanded my network within my profession and across a span of different industries. I have built many lasting relationships that will help me throughout my career."
Raymond Mercado (MLS '23)
Human Resources Manager
Life Steps Foundation, Inc.

"The networking opportunities don't just stop once you graduate; they continue, and there's a big pool of alumni that want to help you and want to connect you."
Mia Colación (MLS '22)
Executive Director/Regional UniServ Staff
California Teachers Association

"The M.L.S. program provided me an opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals across different industries interested in continuous learning."
Avi Kamienny (MLS '23)
Managing Director
Deloitte Tax LLP

"I have felt welcomed with open arms; the community here is accessible for students as they are navigating their professional interests and nurturing their curiosities."
Madison Li (MLS '24)
Senior Marketing Manager
AT & T

Application Information

Applicants must submit the following materials:

UCLA Division of Graduate Education online application
This online application form will request demographic information, education and employment history.
Statement of Purpose, 500 words
Your Statement of Purpose should clearly communicate why you are pursuing this degree and how it will help you achieve your professional/career goals. The Admissions Committee considers the Statement of Purpose very important for admission.
Personal Statement, 500 words
Your Personal Statement talks about your story and what led you to become the person you are today. Tell us about your strengths and what will make you a great student in the program.
2-3 Letters of Recommendation
Your letters of recommendation can come from either a professional or academic connection. It could be a professor, a supervisor, colleague, or other person who can genuinely attest to your ability to succeed in an academically rigorous graduate-level environment.
Resume / C.V.
Think of the resume you submit for this program's application as one you would submit for a job. Tailor your resume to showcase your positions, accomplishments, accolades, etc. to show your fit for our program.
Undergraduate Transcripts
Electronic official transcripts are preferred and can be sent directly to mls@law.ucla.edu. If electronic transcripts are not available, retrieve and scan a copy of your transcripts to upload to your application.

*Only unofficial transcripts need to be uploaded. Upon admission, official transcripts are required.

International applicants are required to submit translated transcripts for the Bachelor's degree if not in English; see below for additional details and requirements.
Scholarship Statements (optional)
All scholarships must be applied for at the time of application; scholarship awards will be provided at time of admission.

This online application form will request demographic information, education and employment history.

Your Statement of Purpose should clearly communicate why you are pursuing this degree and how it will help you achieve your professional/career goals. The Admissions Committee considers the Statement of Purpose very important for admission.

Your Personal Statement talks about your story and what led you to become the person you are today. Tell us about your strengths and what will make you a great student in the program.

Your letters of recommendation can come from either a professional or academic connection. It could be a professor, a supervisor, colleague, or other person who can genuinely attest to your ability to succeed in an academically rigorous graduate-level environment.

Think of the resume you submit for this program's application as one you would submit for a job. Tailor your resume to showcase your positions, accomplishments, accolades, etc. to show your fit for our program.

Electronic official transcripts are preferred and can be sent directly to mls@law.ucla.edu. If electronic transcripts are not available, retrieve and scan a copy of your transcripts to upload to your application.

*Only unofficial transcripts need to be uploaded. Upon admission, official transcripts are required.

International applicants are required to submit translated transcripts for the Bachelor's degree if not in English; see below for additional details and requirements.

Scholarships

Partial scholarships are available to offset tuition costs. All scholarships must be applied for at the time of application; scholarship awards will be provided at time of admission.

The Bruin scholarship will be awarded to admitted students who demonstrate outstanding academic merit and/or professional accomplishment. There is no need to apply for this scholarship; all applicants will be considered automatically and recipients will be notified.

Scholarship application required. This scholarship will be determined based on one or more of the following factors: 1) a demonstrated extraordinary financial need; or 2) personal circumstances that might warrant additional aid. In no more than 500 words, the statement should demonstrate one or both of the above circumstances and must provide at least one of the following items: household income, net worth, any medical expenses, and or family assistance.

Scholarship application required. An applicant may apply for the Outstanding Achievement Scholarship by submitting an additional statement to their application here. This scholarship is a financial award given to a student who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, or other outstanding achievements.

Scholarship application required. Full-time career leaders in the government or non-profit sector may apply. An application is required (completed by uploading a statement when prompted during the application). In no more than 500 words, the statement must demonstrate: 1) a history of engagement in areas of public interest; and 2) a commitment to achieving lasting change that transforms people's lives through work in non-profit or government sectors.

Full-time career university employees are guaranteed this scholarship. Note: This scholarship replaces the Bruin scholarship. This scholarship also replaces the UC tuition discount available for state-funded programs as the M.L.S. program is a self-supporting degree.

Full-time career healthcare employees are guaranteed this scholarship. Note: This scholarship replaces the Bruin scholarship. For UC Health workers, this scholarship also replaces the UC tuition discount available for state-funded programs as the M.L.S. program is a self-supporting degree.

Scholarship application required. This scholarship is awarded to full-time leaders working in or advancing EDI in their field and/or organization. An application is required (completed by uploading a statement when prompted during the application). In no more than 500 words, the statement must demonstrate: (1) A history of career engagement in areas of equity, diversity and/or inclusion; and (2) a commitment to achieving lasting change in industry or organization that transforms people's lives through work in equity, diversity and/or inclusion.

This scholarship is awarded to one admitted fully-employed professional in media, broadcasting, or journalism. Program application must be submitted by April 1st for consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! The Master of Legal Studies program at UCLA School of Law offers online, hybrid and on-campus course offerings.

Part-time students pursuing the Business Law, Employment & Human Resources Law, Entertainment & Media Law, Health Law & Policy, and Law & Technology specializations or a General Studies degree can complete their coursework entirely online. Other specializations will require some hybrid and/or on-campus courses.

The following degree specializations are offered:

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

Students may also choose not to specialize and instead pursue General Studies for a broad base of general legal knowledge.

Yes! The UCLA School of Law Master of Legal Studies program offers flexibility to working professionals, with course offerings during the evening and classes available online, hybrid and on-campus.

Admission to the Master of Legal Studies program is competitive. Applying to an earlier round gives you the most chance to be considered for admission and any additional scholarships to which you may have applied.

Priority Application Deadline:
October 28, 2024

Early Application Deadline:
March 3, 2025

General Application Deadline:
June 2, 2025

Priority Application Deadline:
October 28, 2024

Early Application Deadline:
March 3, 2025

General Application Deadline:
June 2, 2025

No! Students who wish to apply for admission to our graduate program are not required to take the GRE/GMAT/LSAT or submit a GRE/GMAT/LSAT score report as part of their application package. However, students may voluntarily submit GRE/GMAT/LSAT test scores and they will be reviewed as part of the holistic application consideration. The applications with GRE/GMAT/LSAT scores will not be given greater weight than those that do not include scores.

For those who received their undergraduate education outside of the United States, please note the following:

Must have a Bachelor's degree or undergraduate degree equivalent; see additional requirements to UCLA's Graduate School for International Applicants here.
Must submit transcripts, diploma, and degree certificate in English and the original language if not English.
Applicants who did not earn their undergraduate degree at an institution in which English is both the primary spoken language of daily life (e.g., Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, United Kingdom) and the medium of instruction must take the TOEFL/IELTS. See English language requirements here
TOEFL: UCLA School of Law prefers a score of at least 96 on the Internet-based TOEFL, or 600 on the paper-based exam.
IELTS: Favorable consideration will be given to applicants who submit a TOEFL score. However, an overall IELTS score of at least 7.5 will also be viewed favorably.

International applicants who have earned a first degree of law are ineligible to apply to the M.L.S. program and should apply to the LL.M. program.

Applications go through multiple committees and rounds of review. If an applicant proceeds to being a finalist, the applicant will go through an interview process which will consist of an oral interview and a written component. Decisions are typically released 4-6 weeks from application submission or interview.