Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program involves a customized curriculum and is designed to fit a student's academic and professional goals. Students may specialize in a particular area or take a broad range of law courses to develop a general understanding of the legal system. Counselors from the Office of Graduate and International Programs work with each student to identify the best combination of courses to fit that student's career or enrichment goals.

Most law courses are open to MLS students, which allows MLS students to work with exceptional faculty and student colleagues from across the world. Although course offerings vary from year to year, prospective students can get a sense of the typical offerings by visiting our online Course Directory.

Master of Legal Studies (MLS)

Completion of the MLS degree requires students to earn 24 academic credits at Washington University Law. Students may study full-time or part-time. Students may complete the degree in as few as two semesters of full-time study but in no more than eight semesters of part-time study.

Students are required to successfully complete Introduction to U.S. Law and Methods either online (prior to beginning the degree) or during the first semester of the MLS program. In addition, students are encouraged to enroll in one traditional first-year law course as a basis for understanding the Socratic method and common law analysis.

Note: MLS degree credits do not transfer to the JD program at Washington University Law.