MSL FAQ
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Academics | Admissions | Costs and Financial Aid | MLS Program | General
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As of June 2025, UC Law San Francisco’s legal master’s program is called the Master of Legal Studies (MLS), formerly the Master of Studies in Law (MSL). This change reflects a growing national trend toward standardizing the name of this degree and strengthens recognition of its value among employers, colleagues, and the public.
Besides the three required courses, MLS students can choose from UC Law SF’s plentiful course offerings. With support and advice from their faculty advisor, students plan their coursework and choose courses that meet their own needs and interests.
With guidance from UC Law SF’s world-class faculty, MLS students can focus on the subjects that interest them. In addition to pursuing 15 formal specializations in areas such as health law, business law, compliance, and others, our MSL students work with their dedicated advisors to tailor a course of study that aligns with their individual interests. These areas include international law, criminal justice, dispute resolution, environmental law, start-up technology, and other critical areas in today’s fast-moving economy.
Yes. All MLS students must take the following courses:
- Legal Writing for Masters Students (Fall, 2 units);
- Introduction to Law (Fall, 3 units);
- Online Legal Research (Spring, 1 unit);
- A foundational course in your area of interest or a first-year law class (3-4 units)
- A substantial research paper in connection with a seminar or an independent study aligning with the student’s interests (2-3 units)
The Master of Legal Studies program has the following learning outcomes:
- Doctrinal and Substantive Knowledge. Students are able to identify, explain, and employ basic concepts and rules of law in both core legal areas and in their own chosen area of specialization;
- Problem Solving and Critical Thinking. Students are able to identify the relevant issues in a fact pattern and craft legal arguments and conclusions supported by factual evidence and legal rules; and
- Research Skills. Students are able to independently retrieve, organize, analyze, and evaluate paper and electronic legal and interdisciplinary resources, and differentiate the types and relevance of authorities.
In order to earn an MLS degree, students must complete a total of at least 24 units, which includes both required and elective coursework.
MLS students have access to a full range of course offerings at UC Law SF. MLS students take three courses designed specifically for MLS students: Legal Research and Writing, Introduction to Law for Masters Students, and Legal Research for Masters Students. All other courses will be a mixture of J.D. and other master’s students.
Click on ‘How to Apply’ for a list of all requirements.
To be considered for admission, candidates must have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have career goals or work experience in a field that would be supplemented by study in the MLS program. Meeting minimum requirements for applying does not guarantee admission to the program.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Admission and scholarship consideration will be offered on a space available basis until the final deadline of June 30.
UC Law SF warmly welcomes applications from international students interested in the Master of Legal Studies program. In addition to the general application requirements, a TOEFL score of 90 or more, or an IELTS score of 7 or more is required for international applicants who have not received a degree from a university where the primary language of instruction was English.
Most international students attending UC Law SF do so with an F-1 student visa, unless they are a permanent resident or hold another visa status that permits them to study full-time. In order to obtain an F-1 visa, you will first need to be admitted to the MLS program. Once admitted, you will be contacted by the International Student Advisor to complete all relevant F-1 forms. International students must be able to show proof of funds from personal savings, family support, scholarships, or loans that will cover the cost of education and living expenses for each year of study at UC Law SF.
Tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year is estimated to be $1,875 per unit with no distinction made between in-state and out-of-state residents. In addition, students are required to pay additional administrative fees. Please visit our Cost of Attendance page to view a breakdown of the tuition and fee schedule.
Full-time students and part-time students (U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents only) who are taking at least 5 credit hours a semester are eligible for the federal loan program, which includes the Unsubsidized Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans. MLS students applying for financial aid should submit the FAFSA and the UC Law SF Financial Aid Supplement form.
No. The MLS program does not qualify graduates to become an attorney or practice law. If you would like to become a practicing attorney, take a look at our JD program!
No. American Bar Association regulations do not permit credits acquired in the MLS program to be credited toward a JD degree.
We recognize that individuals interested in the MLS program will have varying time commitments. To accommodate these needs, the MLS program at UC Law SF is offered both on a full-time and part-time basis, and with in-person, synchronous online, and asynchronous online options. Course requirements are the same for both programs. Please see our MLS Program Overview for more details about courses and degree requirements.
At this time, there are a handful of evening and weekend classes available to students. However, elective classes are taken with the JD students and as such classes are typically held from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm Monday through Friday.
The MLS required courses are offered online at convenient times or asynchronously to accommodate MLS students who work. UC Law SF also has a number of additional online elective classes each semester which MLS students can choose to register for so long as they meet any pre-requisite requirements.
Please note that although MLSs are in classes with JD students, MLS students are graded on a separate curve.
Full-time students will be expected to complete their degree requirements in two consecutive semesters in one academic year.
The part-time Master of Legal Studies program is meant to accommodate working professionals who cannot complete their degree requirements in one academic year. Part-time MLS students must complete their degree requirements within four years of enrolling in the program, but most will complete the degree in 2-2.5 years.
Students are not advised to enroll in a full-time class load if they are simultaneously working full-time. Students should expect to spend 3 hours a week on classwork for each credit in which they’re enrolled. For example, a 12 credit semester equates 12 hours of class meeting time per week with an additional 24 hours of research, writing and/or reading per week outside of class.
Yes. MLS students may focus their degree in the subject areas that interest them, such as Business, Compliance, Criminal Law, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Environmental Law, Gender and the Law, Government, Health Law, Human Resources, Intellectual Property, International Business and Trade, International Law, Law Enforcement, Media, Project Management, Social Work, Start-ups and Entrepreneurship, Tax, and Technology. We are also eager to support students interested in designing their own course of study. All students benefit from one-on-one advising throughout their time at UC Law SF
Many professionals increasingly deal with the modern regulatory state, participate in legal processes, research legal actors and institutions, and interact with legal systems. The MLS is designed for professionals who want to have a sophisticated understanding of legal reasoning and doctrine, but who do not need the three-year J.D. degree.
Yes. One of the many benefits to the MLS program is that it can be tailored to individual interests and needs. A business owner or entrepreneur may wish to focus their elective course work on contracts, tax, corporation, and intellectual property law.
Unlike degree programs like the MBA, there is no universally standardized name for master’s degree programs in law. However, programs with titles such as Master of Studies in Law (MSL), Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Jurisprudence (M.Jur.), and Juris Master (JM) generally offer similar opportunities. They are designed for professionals working in fields related to law who wish to gain a deeper understanding of legal concepts and principles at a master’s level without earning a full law degree (J.D.).
As of June 2025, UC Law San Francisco’s legal master’s program is called the Master of Legal Studies (MLS), formerly the Master of Studies in Law (MSL). This change reflects a growing national trend toward standardizing the name of this degree and strengthens recognition of its value among employers, colleagues, and the public.