Program Overview

M.S.L.S. Program (Online)

The M.S.L.S. Program (Online) is a 100% online master's degree in legal studies from Cornell Law School, designed specifically for business professionals. The program prepares students to apply the language and concepts of U.S. law to the opportunities and challenges facing their company.

Program Details

• Overview: This 100% Online Program was designed specifically for working professionals.
• Next Start Date: January 12th, 2026
• Flexible Online Program design
• 30 Total Credit Curriculum

Format and Features

• The master’s program features purposefully designed online courses exclusively for M.S.L.S. students taught by full-time faculty.
• Online courses follow a modality of structured flexibility, with courses built to be asynchronous, allowing students to view materials on their own time.
• Courses are governed and kept moving at the appropriate pace with due dates for discussions, projects, and exercises at the end of each course module.
• Courses require between 15-20 hours per week of work and study.
• The program has a foundation of 5 core courses and over 15 possible electives for students to choose from.
• Students will be invited to Summer MSLS Conferences (Optional) at Cornell University’s Ithaca, NY campus, where they can meet and network with classmates, MSLS Alumni, and Faculty, and attend presentations on topics that will add to their in-class experience.
• All students are required to complete a Capstone Project, intended to be both research-based and professionally grounded in a topic important to the student.

Topics Covered

• Core Courses:
  • Introduction to the U.S. Legal System
  • Working with Business Contracts
  • Business Organizations and Corporate Governance
  • Compliance Systems
  • Regulatory Policy and Process
• Elective Options (subject to change):
  • AI Law and Policy
  • Business Ethics
  • Employment Law
  • Navigating the Intellectual Property Landscape
  • Criminal Liability of Organizations
  • Business Transactions
  • Human Rights Obligations of Organizations
  • U.S. Antitrust Law and Policy
  • Entertainment Law
  • Cross-Border Transactions
  • Cybersecurity: Policy & Governance
  • Privacy Law, Regulation, and Business
  • Health Law and Compliance
  • Financial Institutions
  • U.S. Securities Regulation
  • Legal Communication
  • Conducting Legal Research

Admissions Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent international degree
• Resume demonstrating relevant professional experience
• Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• Two Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• International students for whom English is not their first language must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores
• GRE, GMAT, LSAT scores are not required

Important Dates

• Next Application Deadline: September 15th, 2025
• Our Next Start Date: January 12th, 2026

Faculty

The program features a diverse range of faculty members, including:

• Dan Awrey, Professor of Law
• Celia Bigoness, Associate Clinical Professor of Law
• Franci Blassberg, Adjunct Professor of Law
• Michael C. Dorf, Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law
• Stephen P. Garvey, A. Robert Noll Professor of Law
• George A. Hay, Charles Frank Reavis Sr. Professor of Law and Professor of Economics
• Richard John, Adjunct Professor of Law
• Sital Kalantry, Clinical Professor of Law
• Oskar Liivak, Professor of Law
• Kim Nayyer, Edward Cornell Law Librarian, Associate Dean for Library Services, and Professor of the Practice
• Saule Omarova, Beth and Marc Goldberg Professor of Law
• Stewart J. Schwab, Jonathan and Ruby Zhu Professor of Law
• Jed Stiglitz, Professor of Law
• Mark Underberg, Adjunct Professor of Law
• W. Bradley Wendel, Edwin H. Woodruff Professor of Law
• Michelle A. Whelan, Clinical Professor of Law (Lawyering)
• Charles K. Whitehead, Myron C. Taylor Alumni Professor of Business Law

Tuition, Financial Aid, and Veterans Programs

• Tuition: $2,265 per credit for the academic year, with a small percentage increase expected each year.
• Financial Aid: U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for up to $20,500 annually under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program. Additionally, students may be eligible to receive a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan to cover remaining educational costs.
• Veterans Benefits: Many benefits are available to advance the education and skills of veterans and service members. Spouses and family members may also be eligible for education and training assistance. Students will need to submit an updated certificate of eligibility (COE) from the Veteran’s Affairs.