Frequently Asked Questions

MSL meaning: Master of Studies in Law, which is a graduate program designed for professionals who want to gain legal knowledge without becoming practicing attorneys. Another common name for this degree program is the MLS, which stands for Master of Legal Studies. Both the MLS and MSL provide non-lawyers with a foundational understanding of legal principles to advance their careers in fields like business, healthcare, real estate, or compliance, offering a valuable alternative to the more intensive JD or LLM degrees.

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 regulations, read contracts or review legal documents? Then the MSL is the right choice.

With part-time, flexible classes, 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 9 to 16 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.

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 should 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 4-5 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 12+ months (part-time).

Strong applicants have earned bachelor's degrees with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 grading scale) from a regionally accredited institution. 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 evenings to benefit working professionals.

Starting Fall 2024, our On Campus MSL will offer a “hybrid” track, where students can enroll in limited coursework online concurrently with their classes on the USC University Park Campus. However, online students are unfortunately not able to enroll in in-person classes due to the differences in academic calendar and financial aid processes.

The online experience is interactive and flexible. Most of the online coursework is considered asynchronous, where you can complete your learning activities (such as readings, discussion board postings, assignments, quizzes and exams) in your own time. Each class also offers a synchronous component that we call a “live session.” These are 60-75-minute classes that students attend virtually, and they serve to enhance the online learning experience.

Our master’s degree coursework offers non-lawyer professionals 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 (see following). 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.

Online:

• MSL (General)
• MSL with Business Law Certificate
• MSL with Compliance Certificate
• MSL with Entertainment Industry and Law Certificate
• MSL with Financial Compliance Certificate
• MSL with Health Care Compliance Certificate
• MSL with Human Resources Law and Compliance 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 Human Resources Law and Compliance Certificate
• MSL with Media and Entertainment Law Certificate

Yes. Each certificate may be earned concurrently with a master’s degree. With strategic course planning you may pursue up to two certificates. Let your academic advisor know your interests and goals so they can help you plan.

Students admitted to our standalone certificate program must apply separately for the degree program if interested in pursuing a master’s degree. Let your academic advisor know your interests, then submit a master’s degree application during your first semester with us.

Each semester, you will confirm your coursework through a registration survey.  Your academic advisor will then register you for your classes.

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 corporatecustomed@law.usc.edu.

USC Gould considers all applicants for scholarships 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.