Master of Studies in Law (MSL) Degree Programs

An MSL degree is a master’s degree for those who want to learn the law, but don’t want to become lawyers. No prior law experience or degree is required; only a bachelor’s degree is needed to apply.

You may deal with contracts, negotiations, strategy or compliance at work, or perhaps you work closely with your legal department. The MSL degree will give you a working knowledge of the law to amplify your career impact in every field.

Across different academic institutions in the field of law, the MSL degree may go by a number of names, including:

• Master of Studies in Law (MSL)
• Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
• Master of Science of Law (MSL)
• Juris Master (JM)
• Master of Jurisprudence (MJ)

No, an MSL (Master of Studies in Law) and a Master's in Legal Studies (MLS) are generally the same type of degree designed for non-lawyers who want to gain a deeper understanding of legal principles and how they apply to various fields. 

These programs do not qualify graduates to practice law but provide valuable legal knowledge applicable in business, government, and other professional settings.

Both a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) and a Master's in Legal Studies (MLS) are designed for individuals who want to gain legal knowledge without becoming lawyers. 

No prior law experience or degree is necessary; applicants only need a bachelor's degree to apply.

The primary differentiator between the programs is the associated professional goal:

• Do you want to become a lawyer?
  The JD program is best.
• Do you regularly need to reference the law and understand legal regulations, even though you don’t want to become a lawyer?
  The MSL is the right choice.

The MSL allows you to advance your career through immediately impactful legal knowledge and study while continuing on your current career trajectory in your specific industry. The MSL should not be viewed as a preparatory program for a JD.

Additionally, the JD program requires approximately 3 years of full-time study. MSL degrees can be earned in as few as 12 to 18 months. It is important to note that only JD graduates may pursue eligibility to take the bar exam. MSL graduates are not eligible to take the bar exam upon graduation or become lawyers.

The MSL degree enables graduates to redefine their role with a more thorough understanding of the law and how it impacts their industry and organization. MSL degrees are not job-specific and can apply to a variety of career goals.

Below are some of the most common titles held by our graduates:

Additionally, our students enroll from a variety of industries, including:

No. The MSL program does not prepare students for a JD, but rather for applying the law to their industry and professional growth. We recommend that students who are interested in preparing for a JD program study for the LSAT and gain legal work experience.

MSL degree and certificate programs do not qualify students to sit for the bar exam or become licensed attorneys. Students who intend to practice law should pursue a JD degree.

Students needing financial aid (student loans) are required to take 4 units per semester. Online MSL students may enroll in 2-3 classes (4-6 units) per semester. Full-time on-campus MSL students may enroll in 3-4 classes (8 units or more) per semester.

Online MSL students may earn their degree in few as 16 months. Students enrolled in the on-campus program can complete their program in either 9 months (full-time) or 16 months (part-time).

Strong applicants have earned bachelor’s degrees with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 grading scale). Our Admissions Committee evaluates all parts of each application, and will take other factors into consideration along with each applicant’s GPA. We seek applicants whose academic background, professional aspirations, personal commitment and communication skills meet the demands of a rigorous legal master’s degree program.

Unfortunately, no. All Online MSL students are part-time students. If you would like to pursue the degree full-time, our on-campus MSL offers classes scheduled in the afternoons and evenings to benefit working professionals.

Our master’s degree coursework offers professionals in any industry an unparalleled education to help better understand complex legal matters, both online and on campus. Required courses are similar, but industry-specific specializations and electives will differ for the online and on-campus degrees. Consider your learning style and preferences, time management and scheduling, and costs when deciding which option is best for you.

The USC Gould MSL program offers industry-specific certificates for our on-campus and online students to tailor their curriculum to meet their individual goals. Enrolled students will take the required general MSL courses and may choose a certificate ‘track’ with elective courses aligned with each industry-specific certificate. Learn more.

Online:

• MSL (General)
• MSL with Compliance Certificate
• MSL with Health Care Compliance Certificate
• MSL with Business Law Certificate
• MSL with Human Resources Law and Compliance Certificate
• MSL with Financial Compliance Certificate
• MSL with Entertainment Industry and Law Certificate
• MSL with Law and Government Certificate
• MSL with Privacy Law and Cybersecurity Certificate
• MSL with Real Estate Law Certificate
• MSL with Social Work Administration Certificate
• MSL with Technology and Entrepreneurship Law Certificate

On Campus:

• MSL (General)
• MSL with Business Law Certificate
• MSL with Compliance Certificate
• MSL with Law, Social Justice and Diversity Certificate

USC Gould partners with a number of corporations and organizations that offer education tuition assistance as an employee benefit. To see if your business is a partner or explore how to speak to your company about corporate sponsorship, please reach out to [email protected].

USC Gould considers all applications for scholarship automatically. An additional application is not required. Applicants will be notified via email if they are awarded a scholarship after admission.

Courses used toward a degree or a certificate completed at another university may not be applied toward a master’s degree at USC. If USC courses were not used toward a completed degree or a certificate, a maximum of five units may be transferred to our MSL degree. Still have questions? Reach out to one of our admissions advisors at [email protected].