Home: Master of Legal Studies Program Information
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M.D. / Master of Legal Studies

M.D. / Master of Legal Studies

Complete in 9 months during your Discovery Year

Complete in 9 months during your Discovery Year

Why Choose the M.D./M.L.S.

  • Gain a sophisticated understanding of the law while studying in your area of interest.
  • Health law, areas of public interest, business law, or any legal topic of your choosing!
  • Conveniently fit in your clerkships and exams (ask us or the medical school how!).
  • Keep your financial aid from the medical school and the law school will scholarship you for the tuition difference between the M.D. and M.L.S. program!
  • Significant writing and research opportunities, all under the guidance of faculty.
  • Join an amazing cohort from a variety of sectors.

Explore the Program Guide

M.D./M.L.S. Alumni

M.D./M.L.S. Alumni

CeeCee Cascavita MD 2025/MLS 2024

CeeCee Cascavita
MLS '24, MD '25

Jade Cooke MD 2025/MLS 2024

Jade Cooke
MLS '24, MD '25

Nancy Quintanilla MD 2025/MLS 2024

Nancy Quintanilla
MLS '24, MD '25

Hannah Sample MD 2025/MLS 2024

Hannah Sample
MLS '24, MD '25

CeeCee Cascavita MD 2025/MLS 2024

CeeCee Cascavita
MLS '24, MD '25

Jade Cooke MD 2025/MLS 2024

Jade Cooke
MLS '24, MD '25

Nancy Quintanilla MD 2025/MLS 2024

Nancy Quintanilla
MLS '24, MD '25

Hannah Sample MD 2025/MLS 2024

Hannah Sample
MLS '24, MD '25

Benefits of UCLA's M.L.S.

Benefits of
UCLA's M.L.S.

Patrick Ip MLS 2023

"In any business, you want to pick up the skillset of thinking like a lawyer; how lawyers argue and the techniques they use. You already start to pick that up when you go through the classes and can apply that to your current role and to a wide range of topics."
Patrick Ip (MLS '23)
Chief of Staff & Product Marketing
NextSense, Inc

Aaliyah Williams MLS 2023

"This program can help you expand your comfort of the law. It challenges you to use your brain in different ways and it's helping me expand my work and my own business."
Aaliyah Williams (MLS '23)
Founder/Producer
Just a Rebel, Inc.

Daniel LaFeir MLS 2023

"The skills I have learned even after just one semester have directly made an impact on how I approach my work."
Daniel LaFeir (MLS '23)
Lead Consultant Developer
ThoughtWorks

Victoria Hong MLS 2023

"Law is a part of every single profession. Knowing the law and knowing how to think like a lawyer puts you well ahead in any position."
Victoria Hong (MLS '23)
Director of Corporate Communications
Delaware North Companies

"In any business, you want to pick up the skillset of thinking like a lawyer; how lawyers argue and the techniques they use. You already start to pick that up when you go through the classes and can apply that to your current role and to a wide range of topics."
Patrick Ip (MLS '23)
Chief of Staff & Product Marketing
NextSense, Inc

"This program can help you expand your comfort of the law. It challenges you to use your brain in different ways and it's helping me expand my work and my own business."
Aaliyah Williams (MLS '23)
Founder/Producer
Just a Rebel, Inc.

"The skills I have learned even after just one semester have directly made an impact on how I approach my work."
Daniel LaFeir (MLS '23)
Lead Consultant Developer
ThoughtWorks

"Law is a part of every single profession. Knowing the law and knowing how to think like a lawyer puts you well ahead in any position."
Victoria Hong (MLS '23)
Director of Corporate Communications
Delaware North Companies

Program Information

Program Information

Course of Study

26 units to degree

  • August Orientation (2 units*): Law School Fundamentals and Introduction to American Law
  • *counts towards Fall Semester units
  • Fall Semester (12-14 units): 3 core curriculum classes, 1-2 elective courses
  • Spring Semester (12-14 units): 1 core curriculum class, 3-4 elective courses, capstone seminar

Time Investment

2 semesters of full-time study

  • Complete the degree full-time in 9 months
  • Fits neatly in your Discovery Year
  • Some online and evening classes available

Specializations

8 specializations

  • Health Law & Policy
  • Public Interest Law
  • Business Law
  • Law & Technology
  • And more!

26 units to degree

  • August Orientation (2 units*): Law School Fundamentals and Introduction to American Law
  • *counts towards Fall Semester units
  • Fall Semester (12-14 units): 3 core curriculum classes, 1-2 elective courses
  • Spring Semester (12-14 units): 1 core curriculum class, 3-4 elective courses, capstone seminar

2 semesters of full-time study

  • Complete the degree full-time in 9 months
  • Fits neatly in your Discovery Year
  • Some online and evening classes available

8 specializations

  • Health Law & Policy
  • Public Interest Law
  • Business Law
  • Law & Technology
  • And more!

Priority MD/MLS Application Deadline:
October 28, 2024

General MD/MLS Application Deadline:
June 2, 2025

Priority MD/MLS Application Deadline:
October 28, 2024

General MD/MLS Application Deadline:
June 2, 2025

Program Dates*

Program Dates*

*Below are dates to help you plan your Summer 2024 term clerkships and shelf exams.

Fall 2024

  • M.L.S. Launch Week (in person, mandatory): August 3-7, 2024 (Sat-Wed)
  • Semester Instruction Begins: August 26, 2024
  • Semester Instruction Ends: November 27, 2024
  • Final Exams: December 2-13, 2024

Spring 2025

  • January Term Short Courses (optional): Janaury 2-15, 2025
  • Semester Instruction Begins: January 16, 2025
  • Semester Instruction Ends: April 25, 2025
  • Final Exams: April 28-May 15, 2025
  • Commencement: May 15, 2025

Fall 2024

  • M.L.S. Launch Week (in person, mandatory): August 3-7, 2024 (Sat-Wed)
  • Semester Instruction Begins: August 26, 2024
  • Semester Instruction Ends: November 27, 2024
  • Final Exams: December 2-13, 2024

Spring 2025

  • January Term Short Courses (optional): Janaury 2-15, 2025
  • Semester Instruction Begins: January 16, 2025
  • Semester Instruction Ends: April 25, 2025
  • Final Exams: April 28-May 15, 2025
  • Commencement: May 15, 2025