Master of Legal Studies | M.L.S. Degree Program

Interested in Fall 2027 admission? Applications open in mid-September. Join our next advising session!

What is a Master of Legal Studies degree?

This program delivers a master's degree in graduate-level legal education, designed specifically for professionals — empowering 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 degree?

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.

Read why these students chose to attend our program at the #1 ranked university and law school in Southern California:

Law is a part of every single profession. Knowing the law and knowing how to think like a lawyer puts you well ahead in any position.

Victoria Hong (MLS '24)
Director of Corporate Communications
Delaware North Companies

This program can help you expand your comfort of the law. It challenges you to use your brain in different ways and it's helping me expand my work and my own business.

Aaliyah Williams (MLS '23)
Founder/Producer, 2X Emmy Winner
Just a Rebel, Inc.

The skills I have learned even after just one semester have directly made an impact on how I approach my work.

Daniel LaFeir (MLS '23)
Senior Engineering Manager
Grainger

In any business, you want to pick up the skillset of thinking like a lawyer; how lawyers argue and the techniques they use. You already start to pick that up when you go through the classes and can apply that to your current role and to a wide range of topics.

Patrick Ip (MLS '23)
Founder & CEO
Theo AI

Program Highlights

Flexibility for full-time students or working professionals, with online and hybrid options
Complete in nine months full-time or 2-4 years part-time
10 specializations to tailor the program to your career interests
Dedicated MLS Career Services Advisor to launch, enhance, or shift your career
Acquire the legal knowledge and skills to enhance and accelerate your career
Earn a degree from UCLA — the nation's most applied-to university, and home to the #1-ranked university and law school in Southern California
Tap into UCLA's extensive alumni network and connect with like-minded professionals across industries in Southern California and beyond
Learn from world-renowned UCLA Law faculty — leading experts shaping the future of law
Scholarships and financial aid available

	I recently started a position with the Walt Disney Company. I had been trying for years to work there, but never broke through. After I updated my resume with my MLS degree from UCLA, I started to get more interviews and eventually was offered a position! I truly feel that my MLS degree contributed significantly to landing a role at Disney. Dave Holtkamp (MLS '21) Human Resources Business Partner The Walt Disney Company

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 approximately 6:30-9:30 PM with the Tuesday on campus and the Thursday online. Online Section: Tu/Th from approximately 6-9 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 *Note: 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 Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both Ideal for executives, real estate and compliance professionals, investors, and leaders in wealth management and insurance	Employment & HR Law Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both Ideal for HR professionals seeking a competitive edge-and for those aspiring to build a career in consulting	Entertainment & Media Law Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both 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 Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both Ideal for health care professionals, compliance officials, nurses, nurse practitioners, and doctors	Law & Technology Online, On Campus, or a Mix of Both Ideal for technologists, cybersecurity and data privacy experts, AI professionals, and leaders in information security	Criminal Law On Campus, or a Mix of Online and on Campus Ideal for those working in criminal justice at the federal, state or local level.
Government & National Security On Campus, or a Mix of Online and on Campus Ideal for those who work in the government at the federal, state, or local level	Public Interest Law On Campus, or a Mix of Online and on Campus Opportunities in a variety of public interest fields, ranging from immigration to criminal justice to education and prison reform	Environmental Law On Campus, or a Mix of Online and on Campus Ideal for those in energy sectors, scientists, researchers, environmentalists, and clean energy entrepreneurs
Global Business Law On Campus, or a Mix of Online and on Campus Ideal for those who work in the government at the federal, state, or local level.