Nicholas Bennett (MSL 2025), who built a career at the intersection of urban planning and public policy, uses his Online MSL degree along with the Law and Government certificate to strengthen his legal insight and bring a more informed, strategic lens to the public sector. Read the Q&A below to learn how the program deepened his understanding of administrative law, supported his professional growth, and continues to shape his impact in planning and policy.
What made you pursue the Online MSL at USC Gould School of Law?
After going through the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) program at the USC Price School of Public Policy, I found myself especially drawn to the Planning Law courses, where we dug into eminent domain authority, constitutional amendments that impact the field, and court cases that continue to shape planning and public management practice. Those conversations made me realize how much the legal framework influences the work we do as planners. Pursuing the Online Master of Studies in Law (MSL) felt like a natural way to deepen that understanding and strengthen my ability to navigate complex policy and regulatory environments. As an alumnus of the University of Southern California, I already had so much confidence in the Trojan network and academic experience, so returning through the USC Gould School of Law just felt like the right fit.
What was your experience balancing your Online MSL coursework with your professional and personal commitments? What strategies helped you to succeed?
Balancing the Online MSL was definitely strenuous at times, but it was absolutely doable with the right mindset and structure. I often used my lunch breaks to get through readings and case studies, worked on assignments after dinner during the week, and dedicated weekends to larger projects and group collaboration. Designating specific study blocks and building a consistent routine helped me stay focused and keep up with the material. Going in with the understanding that my normal routine would need to shift, and being willing to embrace that change, made a big difference in my success.
What is a key takeaway that you learned from your studies at USC Gould?
One of my most memorable experiences was LAW 777: Administrative Law, where everything really clicked for me about how the executive branch creates, interprets, and enforces rules. In my prior work at HUD (U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development), VA (U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs), and DOD (U.S. Department of Defense) programs/operations, I managed and functioned within agency guidance, rulemaking, and enforcement decisions meant to shape funding, compliance, and program delivery, so the course felt immediately relevant. It was especially interesting to better understand how public comment, internal agency processes, and judicial review can influence the final policies we implement on the ground. The class gave me a clearer lens on the authority and limits of agencies and strengthened how I approach current and future roles professionally.
Looking back, what aspects of the program provided you with the most unexpected value?
One of the most unexpectedly valuable parts of the program was the LAW 510: Legal Research course. I quickly realized that using Westlaw and LexisNexis effectively takes constant practice, and drilling the process helped me really appreciate the complexity of legal analysis and the work lawyers and legal professionals do every day. It also gave me a lot more confidence in organizing and communicating legal reasoning clearly. That experience has made me much more comfortable approaching legal questions in my day-to-day work.
How has your Online MSL given you an advantage in your career?
The MSL immediately helped me refine my contract management and negotiation skills, which I could apply directly in my work as a project oversight and public sector community development professional. After graduating, I was honored to be appointed by the American Planning Association (APA) Board of Directors to the Amicus Curiae Committee. The APA plays a central role in shaping planning policy and practice nationwide, and this committee allows me to contribute to judicial decision making that intersects with urban planning and development. I hope to use the legal training from the MSL to bring a practical, planning-focused perspective to cases that impact communities and public projects.
What advice would you give to prospective students who are interested in pursuing their MSL?
Choose the certificate that best aligns with your professional goals. Pursuing the Law and Government certificate allowed me to tailor the curriculum in a way that directly complemented and deepened my expertise in public management.
What sparked your interest in learning about law and legal concepts?
For me, legal knowledge translates to advocacy strength in a society governed by law, statute, and ordinance. Understanding the law and knowing how to justify public decisions has always been a priority, enabling me to serve the public while keeping their rights at the forefront of every project or initiative I undertake.
What relationships formed during the program have proven most valuable to you?
Law really underpins a lot of what we do, no matter the field. Being in a cohort with people specializing in HR Law and Compliance, Business Law, Health Care Compliance, and Technology and Entrepreneurship Law made class discussions much more interesting. Hearing their perspectives gave me new ways to think about the legal side of planning and public projects. It made my own experience richer and more connected to real-world challenges.
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