Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Legal Studies Program

The Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) Program is designed for ambitious professionals who want a sophisticated understanding of the law but do not intend to become practicing lawyers. The program offers flexible learning options, including online, hybrid, or on-campus study.

Program Highlights

• Flexibility for the working professional with online and hybrid options
• Complete in nine months full-time or 2-4 years part-time
• 9 specializations to tailor the program to your career interests
• Acquire the legal knowledge and skills to enhance and accelerate your career
• Earn a legal degree from the nation's most applied to university that is ranked both as the #1 ranked university and law school in southern California
• Engage in our vibrant community and join UCLA's extensive alumni network
• Network with like-minded individuals within and across industries in Southern California and beyond with the vast UCLA network
• Learn from world-renowned UCLA Law faculty-leading experts shaping the future of law
• Scholarships and financial aid available

What is a Master of Legal Studies?

This program delivers graduate-level legal education designed specifically for professionals. Earn a master's degree that empowers leaders across the private, nonprofit, and government sectors to understand complex legal issues and confidently navigate laws, regulations, disputes, and interactions with lawyers.

Why earn a Master of Legal Studies?

Offered online, hybrid, or on-campus, this program is designed for working professionals and full-time students alike-those eager to master the language of the law, challenge themselves, and open new doors to career opportunities.

Program Structure

A flexible curriculum-offered online, hybrid, or on-campus-designed to fit the busy schedule of working professionals.

• PHASE 1: M.L.S. Core Curriculum
  • Online or Hybrid Options: These core courses are designed exclusively for M.L.S. students.
  • Hybrid Section: Meets on Tu/Th from about 6:30-9:30 PM with the Tuesday on campus and the Thursday online.
  • Online Section: Meets on Tu/Th from about 6:30-9:30 PM with both nights online.
• PHASE 2: M.L.S. Specializations for the Elective Courses
  • Online, On-campus, or a mix of both:
    1. Business Law
    2. Employment & HR Law
    3. Entertainment & Media Law
    4. Health Law & Policy
    5. Law & Technology
  • On Campus: 6. Criminal Law 7. Gov't and National Security 8. Public Interest Law 9. Environmental Law
  • General Studies is for those who want flexibility in course selection and complete no specialization. It can be completed online, on-campus, or a mix of both.
• PHASE 3: Capstone
  • Online: The capstone allows students in their final semester to deeply engage with issues relevant to their career focus or intellectual interest.
  • Students may satisfy this requirement through the Capstone Seminar course in their final semester through either an academic paper or presentation.

Specializations: A Tailored Curriculum

• Business Law: Ideal for executives, real estate and compliance professionals, investors, and leaders in wealth management and insurance
• Employment & HR Law: Ideal for HR professionals seeking a competitive edge-and for those aspiring to build a career in consulting
• Entertainment & Media Law: Ideal for entertainment professionals ready to master the legal frameworks that drive the industry-popular among producers, business affairs executives, music licensing specialists, agents, and those working in NIL
• Health Law & Policy: Ideal for health care professionals, compliance officials, nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors
• Law & Technology: Ideal for technologists, cybersecurity and data privacy experts, AI professionals, and leaders in information security
• Criminal Law: Ideal for those working in criminal justice at the federal, state or local level
• Government & National Security: Ideal for those who work in the government at the federal, state, or local level
• Public Interest Law: Opportunities in a variety of public interest fields, ranging from immigration to criminal justice to education and prison reform
• Environmental Law: Ideal for those in energy sectors, scientists, researchers, environmentalists, and clean energy entrepreneurs
• General Studies: For those who would like the flexibility to choose any elective courses. No specialization is earned.