Social:UCLA Master of Legal Studies

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Short description: Public law school in Los Angeles, California
University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, Master of Legal Studies
Parent schoolUniversity of California, Los Angeles
Established2019
School typePublic law school
Parent endowment$7.7 billion (2022–2023)[1]
DeanMichael Waterstone[2]
LocationLos Angeles, California, U.S.
EnrollmentUCLA School of Law Total: 1,086 (as of May 18, 2022)[3]
FacultyUCLA School of Law total: 104
Websitelaw.ucla.edu/academics/programs/master-legal-studies

The University of California, Master of Legal Studies (also known as UCLA M.L.S. Program) is a degree for professional advancement at the University of California, Los Angeles.[4]

History

The Hugh and Hazel Darling Law Library, UCLA School of Law

In December 2019, UCLA Law School announced the launch of a Master of Legal Studies program which would provide students with a master’s degree at a fraction of the cost, and in a fraction of the time of a JD degree.[5]

The program is designed for working professionals seeking an advanced understanding of legal principles without pursuing a JD degree.

In 2020, Jennifer Mnookin, then dean of the Law School at UCLA told CNBC, “There’s an enormous number of people who engage with the law, who need to work with lawyers, who need to know a decent amount about the law for what they do, but they don’t actually need the license. They don’t need to be lawyers.”[5]

The program's first class graduated in 2021 and was included in the UCLA School of Law graduation. The event featured live remarks, delivered from the law school, by keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu and then UCLA Law Dean Jennifer Mnookin. Recorded messages from special guests included UCLA and NBA player Bill Walton, as well as law school alumni Judge Paul Watford of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and U.S. Senator. Kirsten Gillibrand.[6]

Mnookin was succeeded by Russell Korobkin as interim dean[7] of UCLA School of Law, followed by Michael Waterstone as Dean of UCLA School of Law on August 1, 2023, who also oversees the UCLA Master of Legal Studies.[8]

The program launched its hybrid and online options in the Fall 2024.[9]

Academics

The UCLA School of Law's Master of Legal Studies program offers online, hybrid, and on-campus options.

The program is structured into three phases[4]: core classes, specialization electives, and capstone. Phase 1 focuses on core courses, Phase 2 involves specializations and elective courses tailored to career goals (i.e. Entertainment Law, Public Interest Law, etc.), and Phase 3 culminates in a capstone project or seminar for deeper engagement with legal topics. [10] The program can be completed in 9 months with full-time study or in 2–4 years with part-time study. [4]

Specializations are Business Law, Employment & Human Resources Law, Entertainment & Media Law, Health Law & Policy, Law & Technology, Criminal Law, Government & National Security Law, Public Interest Law, Environmental Law, and General Studies. The program also offers Self-Design specializations. 26 Credits are required to graduate.[11]

All nine specializations offered can be done on campus. The specializations of Business Law, Employment & Human Resources Law, Entertainment & Media Law, Health Law & Policy, and Law & Technology can be done fully online.[12]

Since Fall 2023,[13] the program has offered, and continues to offer, a concurrent and articulated MD/ MLS degree for UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine students.[14]

Students

In 2025, there were 117 incoming students in the program pursuing a master of legal studies degree (M.L.S.). 68% of all new students resided outside of the Los Angeles area. 63% of the full incoming M.L.S. students identify as female, 62% identify as students of color, and the average age is 34. 32% hold advanced degrees, nearly 1 in 5 are chief executives or vice presidents, and about one third are directors or managers. Two students were pursuing the joint M.D./M.L.S., and eight were UCLA student-athletes.[15]

UCLA School of Law M.L.S. Class Profile in 2025[16]
  • 63% Female
  • 62% Students of color
  • 68% reside outside of the Los Angeles area
  • 32% hold advanced degrees
  • 43% are executives

Campus

UCLA School of Law's south entrance facing Charles E. Young Drive East

The UCLA Master of Legal Studies offers online, in-person and hybrid options.[17] It is located on the UCLA campus in the Westwood area of Los Angeles.[18]

Reception

In 2025, The Princeton Review ranked UCLA's Master of Legal Studies program as one of the Best Online Master of Studies in Law Programs for 2025.[19]

People

Alumni

Alumni of UCLA Master of Legal Studies include Peter Arceo[20] and UCLA Bruins quarterback Chase Griffin. Griffin reported to Business Insider that he chose studying entertainment, media, and sports law because he wanted to understand the contract side of his talent and production work.[21]

References

  1. ↑ "Annual Endowment Report, Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023; p.3". https://www.ucop.edu/investment-office/investment-reports/annual-reports/annual-endwoment-report-fy-2022-2023.pdf. 
  2. ↑ "Michael Waterstone named dean of UCLA School of Law | UCLA Law". https://law.ucla.edu/news/michael-waterstone-named-dean-ucla-school-law. 
  3. ↑ "Facts & Figures: Enrollment—Student Enrollment in Professional Schools". UCLA. https://www.ucla.edu/about/facts-and-figures. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Best Online Master of Studies in Law Programs for 2025 | The Princeton Review". https://www.princetonreview.com/law-school-rankings/best-online-master-studies-in-law-programs. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hess, Abigail Johnson (February 7, 2020). "Experts say 23% of lawyers' work can be automated—law schools are trying to stay ahead of the curve". CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/06/technology-is-changing-the-legal-profession-and-law-schools.html. 
  6. ↑ "UCLA Law celebrates 70th commencement" (in en-us). https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/ucla-law-celebrates-70th-commencement. 
  7. ↑ Sloan, Karen (November 22, 2022). "UCLA law school joins exodus from U.S. News rankings as movement expands". Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/ucla-law-school-joins-exodus-us-news-rankings-movement-expands-2022-11-22/. 
  8. ↑ "Michael Waterstone begins term as new dean of UCLA School of Law". https://dailybruin.com/2023/09/21/michael-waterstone-begins-term-as-new-dean-of-ucla-school-of-law/. 
  9. ↑ "UCLA Law welcomes exceptional new students | UCLA Law" (in en). https://law.ucla.edu/news/ucla-law-welcomes-exceptional-new-students. 
  10. ↑ "M.L.S. Program Structure | UCLA Law" (in en). https://law.ucla.edu/academics/programs/master-legal-studies/mls-program-structure. 
  11. ↑ "Best Online Master of Studies in Law Programs for 2025 | The Princeton Review". https://www.princetonreview.com/law-school-rankings/best-online-master-studies-in-law-programs. 
  12. ↑ "M.L.S. Specializations | UCLA Law" (in en). https://law.ucla.edu/academics/programs/master-legal-studies/mls-specializations-0. 
  13. ↑ "UCLA Law gathers to welcome new students | UCLA Law" (in en). https://law.ucla.edu/news/ucla-law-gathers-welcome-new-students. 
  14. ↑ "Med Degree" (in en). 2022-08-03. https://medschool.ucla.edu/education/md-education/degrees-programs/prime-la/concurrent-degree-programs. 
  15. ↑ "UCLA Law welcomes outstanding class of talented students | UCLA Law" (in en). https://law.ucla.edu/news/ucla-law-welcomes-outstanding-class-talented-students. 
  16. ↑ "School Facts". https://law.ucla.edu/academics/programs/master-legal-studies/mls-student-profile. 
  17. ↑ "M.L.S. Program Structure | UCLA Law" (in en). https://law.ucla.edu/academics/programs/master-legal-studies/mls-program-structure. 
  18. ↑ Cooper, 359.
  19. ↑ "Best Online Master of Studies in Law Programs for 2025 | The Princeton Review". https://www.princetonreview.com/law-school-rankings/best-online-master-studies-in-law-programs. 
  20. ↑ Caruso, Jeannie (2025-06-16). "FROM THE COVER: 79 Questions with Peter Arceo" (in en-US). https://mygamingandleisure.com/from-the-cover-79-questions-with-peter-arceo/. 
  21. ↑ Fleming, Margaret. "How a UCLA quarterback has scored over 30 NIL deals, including the 3-page document he sends to brands" (in en-US). https://www.businessinsider.com/ucla-quarterback-chase-griffin-mastered-nil-influencer-marketing-college-athlete-2023-7. 

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