MLS Program FAQs

Is there a mandatory dissertation component to the MLS degree? No. Although one of the program's goals is to support those who wish to incorporate legal scholarship in their PhD dissertation, this is not required. However, understanding a candidate's research interests is important when assigning a faculty advisor. 

Who will instruct the candidates in the MLS Program? MLS candidates will be taught by current faculty. Each candidate will also have a faculty advisor to mentor and provide consultation on research interests.

Will any Law School courses be restricted from MLS candidates? No. All JD courses will be open to MLS candidates. For classes with competitive enrollments, the MLS candidates participate in the regular bidding system with JD candidates.

How many MLS candidates are accepted to the program each year? We expect between one and three candidates per year, depending on the number and strength of applicants, to participate in this one-year program.

What are the professional prospects of the program's graduates? Graduates of the MLS program may become academics in their PhD field, as they would without the degree. It is our hope that legal training will improve the quality of their doctoral work, and thus help with job prospects. It is also possible that MLS graduates may be able to become legal academics, since they would be more credibly connected to law than people without legal training. Their work would be more likely to address important legal topics, and they would better be able to teach law students because they would have had exposure to the law school classroom. These advantages, we hope, will enable MLS graduates to land top-tier academic jobs.