MLS Program

We welcome you to this section of The Law School’s web site describing our Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Program. This one-year degree program is designed for PhD students and established scholars who wish to improve their knowledge of law without completing a full three-year degree. The goal of the MLS program is to help researchers better understand the legal issues to improve their research through interdisciplinary training. Admissions decisions are based on an assessment of the benefit of the legal training to the applicant's research. 

Degree Requirements

The program is designed for students who have completed their core PhD coursework and are either proposing or working on their dissertation and for established scholars whose research can benefit from legal training.  MLS students can choose courses at the Law School that are relevant to their research.  Typically MLS students take one or more of the general first year law school courses and advanced law courses in subjects related to their discipline. The particular program of study is individualized to each student and will be set in consultation with a faculty advisor. To complete the program and earn the MLS degree, candidates must successfully complete 27 credit hours of coursework. Additionally, MLS candidates must be in residence like JD students. MLS candidates who have completed one or more quarters at the Law School are ineligible to apply for the JD program.

Application Process

Read details of the MLS application process, including required documents, submission details, and deadlines.

Registration

Upon admission to the program, candidates should contact the MLS Faculty Director, David Weisbach, to be assigned a faculty advisor. Candidates will register for classes with all other degree-seeking students in the Law School. For details on the registration process for an upcoming quarter, please refer to the Registrar's registration guidelines.

Tuition and Fees

All MLS candidates receive scholarships to cover their full tuition charges. In addition, candidates receive competitive stipends for living expenses for the year in which they are in residence.

If you have questions, please contact our Admissions Office by email.

MLS Program applications should be submitted by the application deadline of March 1, 2024.