MSL Program Options
MSL Program Options
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) Program provides the flexibility of two learning modes: fully online and hybrid-flexible.
- The fully online mode allows students to pursue a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum of fundamental legal subjects.
- The hybrid-flexible mode combines the advantages of online and onsite classes and allows for more tailoring of coursework from the extensive selection of over 250 courses offered at UC Law San Francisco.
Both the fully online and hybrid-flexible modes can be taken on a full-time (one year) or part-time (1.5-4 years) basis.
Notably, the opportunity to pursue a specialization is exclusive to the hybrid-flexible mode, providing a focused and enriching educational experience for those seeking a more specialized skill set.
Fully Online Mode
Required Courses
| Course | Mode | Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Law | Synchronous (live) | Fall | 3 |
| Legal Research & Writing for Masters Students | Synchronous (live) | Fall | 2 |
| Legal Research for Non-Lawyers | Asynchronous | Spring | 1 |
Recommended Courses
| Course | Mode | Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to U.S. Legal Systems | Synchronous (live) | August * | 1 |
| MSL Essentials | Asynchronous | Fall | 1 |
| MSL Writing Seminar | Asynchronous | Spring | 2 |
| MSL Foundations of Contract & Property Law | Synchronous (live) | Spring | 3 |
| MSL Fundamentals of Civil Procedure | Asynchronous | Spring | 1 |
| MSL Foundations of Data Privacy | Asynchronous | Spring | 3 |
* Offered during the two weeks before school begins in August
Elective Options (choose 7 additional credits to complete the degree) – approximately 15-20 online JD courses are offered each semester that are open to MSL students as electives. Courses offered online in a typical year include:
Elective Courses
In addition, approximately 15-20 online JD courses are offered each semester that are open to MSL students as electives. Courses offered online in a typical year include:
- Advanced Legal Research
- Artificial Intelligence
- Business Associations
- Compliance: Privacy
- Contract Writing & Analysis
- Domestic Violence
- Negotiation
- Reproductive Justice
- Wills & Trusts
Most of these courses are synchronous, allowing for direct interaction with your professor, other MSL students, and students enrolled in the JD or LLM degree programs.
Hybrid-Flex Mode
Required Courses
| Course | Mode | Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Law | Synchronous (live) | Fall | 3 |
| Legal Research & Writing for Masters Students | Synchronous (live) | Fall | 2 |
| Legal Research for Non-Lawyers | Asynchronous | Spring | 1 |
You may select from a diverse array of more than 250 onsite courses to fulfill the remaining 18 credits required to graduate from the MSL program. For a more detailed breakdown please visit our specialization page for downloadable sample schedules.