Master of Legal Studies

GET A STRONG FOUNDATION IN LAW, LEGAL THOUGHT, AND LEGAL PROCESS

About the Program

The Master of Legal Studies is a unique, interdisciplinary program offered by the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law for qualified nonlawyers who do not seek a degree that will allow them to practice law. The program gives individuals a basic familiarity with law, legal thought and the legal process and its relationship to other fields, including biotechnology and genomics, real estate development, law enforcement, human resources, corporate governance and a variety of entrepreneurial disciplines. At the end of the one-year program (which may be extended for up to three years for part-time program participants), graduates will be better prepared to pursue their careers, to continue the pursuit of an advanced academic or professional degree outside of law, or to enter a new field in which the foundation provided by the M.L.S. program will help to assure future success.

 MLS Collage 2_07

      Wong MLS student 2_07 

"My background and degree were in journalism and public relations.  Nevertheless, I have always  had an interest in law and the legal process.  The M.L.S. program provided an unusual opportunity for me.  In less than one year, I obtained a graduate degree, developed an understanding of our legal system and the relationship of law and society, and completed a customized program in which I selected nearly two-thirds of my classes from an incredible list of electives.  At this time, I am not certain whether I will continue my education, return to a career in public relations, or pursue a new career.  In any case, the M.L.S. program provided a great foundation for my future."
Christine Wong
M.L.S. Graduate

What is an M.L.S.?

An M.L.S. degree is a graduate degree, similar to a traditional master’s degree in a social science, humanities or physical science discipline. The M.L.S. degree is not a J.D. degree, and its recipients are not qualified to practice law.

What are the course requirements?

Flexibility in course selection is a hallmark of the M.L.S. program. To provide an introduction to legal reasoning, the M.L.S. candidate is required to take at least two of the following first-year law classes:

  • Contracts
  • Constitutional Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Property
  • Torts

In addition, the M.L.S. candidate must complete one of the following three-credit courses:

  • Legal Process
  • Legislation
  • Jurisprudence

The remainder of the required 30 credit hours are electives.

Am I a good candidate for the M.L.S. program?

The M.L.S. program seeks candidates from a variety of backgrounds and with a wide diversity of goals – entrepreneurs, scholars, scientists, journalists, managers, real estate developers, law enforcement officers, design professionals and others. The M.L.S. program provides great flexibility and individualized program design. It can help advance a career, introduce a new field, or simply satisfy intellectual curiosity. Current students range in age from their 20s to 70s, with education and experience in fields as diverse as journalism, construction and medicine.

How long does it take to obtain the M.L.S. degree?

The M.L.S. program requires completion of 30 credit hours at the College of Law (or approved courses elsewhere at Arizona State University). The program is designed to be completed within one academic year.  Part-time program participants may take up to three years to complete the program.

Is a written thesis required?

A thesis is not required.

How will I be graded?

M.L.S. candidates participate in regular College of Law classes and take the same exams as J.D. candidates. However, M.L.S. students are customarily graded on a pass/fail basis. Numerical grades may be requested. Credits from the M.L.S. program will not transfer if you later seek to enroll in a J.D. program.

What types of electives are available?

The College of Law offers more than 180 different courses, in almost every imaginable field of legal study, including international law, forensics, constitutional law, real estate, intellectual property, biotechnology, dispute resolution, Indian law, business organizations and securities, income tax, construction, employment, natural resources, litigation and many other fields.

Can M.L.S. candidates concentrate in a specific area of law?

Yes. Each M.L.S. candidate may customize his or her program of study. The College of Law’s Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Program Development is available to assist each M.L.S. candidate in developing a program to fit his or her particular requirements or interests.

When is the application for admission due?

The M.L.S. program utilizes a "rolling" admissions process. Early submission of your application is recommended.

What is the cost of the program?

Refer to the Tuition and Financial Aid section of this website.

What are the admission requirements for the M.L.S. program?

Admission to the M.L.S. program requires an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year college or university in the United States or a comparable degree from a foreign institution. A graduate school entrance exam (for example, LSAT, GRE or GMAT) is not required.

 

How do I Apply?

To apply for the M.L.S. program you must provide:

  1. proof of a 4-year degree; either
    A)  an accredited college or university in the United States or
    B)  a comparable degree from a foreign institution approved by either the government or the relevant accrediting authority of the nation where the school is located;
  2. a personal statement
  3. a résumé
  4. a writing sample
  5. two letters of recommendation
  6. completed  M.L.S. Application
  7. official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate degree studies

Mail these items to the following address:

Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
PO Box 877906
Tempe, AZ 85287-7906

Deadlines for Applications:

Applicants wishing to enroll in the Fall semester are recommended to apply by July 15. Applicants seeking to enroll in the Spring semester are recommended to apply by December 15. Applicants may apply after this deadline if they are unable to meet the recommended deadline.

What if I am an International Student?

International Applicants or those who have earned academic credit for law in foreign countries:

  • Course Evaluations
    The World Education Services (WES) must independently evaluate all academic documents issued in countries than the United States.  Please contact WES at their website (http://www.wes.org/) to obtain an application for an evaluation.  You must request a course-by-course evaluation and order that an official copy from WES be sent directly to:

    Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
    Graduate Admissions
    PO Box 877906
    Tempe, AZ 85287-7906

Your application for admission to the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University will not be complete until this evaluation is received by the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

  • English Fluency
    Applicants must meet the requirements of the Graduate College as well as those of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.  If English is not your native language, you must provide evidence of English proficiency as indicated by acceptable scores.  Applicants should have a TOEFL score above 600 (paper) or 250 (computer).  Exceptional candidates with relevant experience and background who have scores of at least 590 (paper) or 243 (computer) also will be considered.

More Information about the Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) Program

Download the Application for the M.L.S Program

For further information contact:

Sandra Erickson, Director of Graduate & Executive Education
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Arizona State University
PO Box 877906
Tempe, AZ 85287-7906
Ph: 480.965.6847
Fax: 480.727.7930
Email: LLM-MLS.ADMISSIONS@ASU.EDU