Master of Legal Studies Programs in California: A Guide for 2025

Why Study Legal Studies in California

If you want a legal degree and aren’t planning to attend law school, the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) may be the most fitting degree for you. Offering a shorter path to a legal degree, with careers in financial compliance, contracts, business analysis, and more, the MLS is a valuable educational option for those interested in a legal career.

California is home to many prestigious law schools, like USC’s Gould School of Law, Loyola, and UCLA. These schools offer MLS programs, both in-person and online, through their law schools. Not only are students positioned to take advantage of California’s legal environment, but they can also enjoy the California lifestyle and surroundings.

What is a Master of Legal Studies?

A Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is a graduate degree like a juris doctor (JD). It gives students the same legal knowledge, but does not let students sit for the state bar or practice law.

The Master of Legal Studies degree is meant for students who want to work in a legal field but never planned to spend their lives in court. Human resources, regulatory administration, finance, and healthcare are all areas where having legal knowledge is essential, but being an attorney isn’t required.

If you already work in the legal system, an MLS can help advance your career without requiring the time and financial commitment of law school. If you are looking at a career in the legal field, an MLS gets you started without the burden of law school and the bar exam.

Why Choose a Legal Studies Program in California?

California’s diverse economy and extensive legal network give legal studies students a wide range of opportunities during and after their education. Some of the study and employment options available in California include:

• Intellectual Property, Technology, and Cybersecurity:

Silicon Valley has always been at the forefront of emerging tech law and the new area of artificial intelligence regulation

• Entertainment Law, Film and Television, and the Music Industry:

These are all centered in Southern California, as are agencies that need help with writing contracts and representing clients.

• Environmental, Healthcare, and Immigration Law:

California has always been the leader in environmental law, social justice reform, and a host of other issues like healthcare law, immigration, and minority rights. Anyone looking for a career in any of these fields can find immediate employment in California’s busy cities.

Online and On-Campus MLS Programs in California

California features some of the top law schools in the country. Many of them also have quality MLS programs for students looking for graduate degrees in legal studies with a fast track into the job market. Today, law schools have both on-campus and online MLS programs.

One advantage to getting your MLS degree at a California law school is that these schools are ABA-accredited. Although ABA accreditation is not necessary for an MLS degree, if you want to pursue your degree and enter law school, accreditation ensures your courses will be ABA-compliant and transferable.

California Online and On-Campus MLS Programs:

• USC

USC Gould School of Law : The prestigious USC Gould School of Law offers online and in-person classes for its Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree. The in-person course is offered during the fall semester only. The online course begins three times a year and contains synchronous and asynchronous elements for ease of access.

• UCLA

UCLA School of Law : UCLA features online, hybrid, and in-person courses for its MLS programs. Students can finish the program in as few as nine months or take up to four years if necessary. Nine specializations within the degree include business, health, entertainment, criminal law, technology, and public interest law.

• Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Law School : Loyola Marymount’s rigorous MLS program begins with the same law school courses as its JD students. After the first year of foundational legal principles and legal writing and analysis, students select electives that align with their desired course of study. The MLS can be taken in-person, online, or hybrid.

• University of San Diego

University of San Diego : Currently, San Diego does not have an online MLS program. It is the only one of these colleges that does not have a remote course. However, students get to study in beautiful San Diego. The degree requires 26 units, including two electives from the first-year JD curriculum.

• Monterey College

Monterey College of Law : The MLS program is a hybrid program. The school offers an MLS/JD hybrid program for students who want to carry over their MLS into the law school. Monterey College of Law teaches both MLS and JD courses together; the MLS course consists of 36 required units plus a thesis.

• Golden Gate University

Golden Gate University : Golden Gate University’s online/hybrid program consists of 30 units, 21 required legal courses, and nine elective units. The GMAT or GRE is not required, but Golden Gate University requires a statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation.

Core Curriculum and Specialization Options

Most MLS courses cover the same legal territory as a JD. Students can expect to take:

• Legal studies, legal writing, and research

• Contracts and torts

• Constitutional law

• Civil and criminal procedure

In the second half of their studies, students can continue towards a general degree or specialize in one practice area. If you’re planning to enter a specific career or already work in your chosen field, you can choose electives from a range of legal classes.

Attending a law school for your MLS degree lets you take classes in:

• Business law

• Environmental law

• International law

• Regulatory compliance

• Finance law

• IT and intellectual property

Admissions, Tuition, and Financial Considerations

Every school has its own set of admissions requirements, but in general, you can expect to send the following to all these colleges and universities:

• A Bachelor’s Degree:

You must have a four-year bachelor’s degree or have completed a bachelor’s degree before your application to the college is processed.

• Statement of Purpose:

Each school explains what it wants to see in your statement, such as why you wish to attend that institution and what interests you about the study of law.

• Official transcripts:

These must be sealed or emailed directly from your college to the law school admissions office.

• Resume or CV

• Letters of Reference or Referrals:

Some schools require two or more.

• A Writing Sample:

Some schools want a writing sample or essay separate from the statement of purpose.

• International applicants

May need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or similar proof of English competency.

Financial Aid

As of 2025, FAFSA student loan applications are being accepted. Students should use caution and speak with a loan officer or financial advisor before signing any student loan application.

Law schools and universities have their own scholarships and financial assistance programs. Applications include requests for FAFSA and scholarships, and students should apply for all academic and merit-based assistance when applying.

Career Opportunities with a Master of Legal Studies in California

• Compliance Officer:

Healthcare, finance, safety, and other fields must comply with state and federal rules. Knowledge of legal language is essential in these areas.

• HR Manager:

HR managers explain policies, hear grievances, and deal with friction between departments. HR professionals must keep up with changing state and federal laws regarding employee rights.

• Legislative Analyst:

Analysts review old laws and help write new ones. They also interpret old legal language as it affects the current legal and political scene.

• Law Enforcement:

Modern law enforcement needs educated management who can navigate the policy demands of the public, the politicians, and the lawyers.

Many other fields demand the legal skills and knowledge that is acquired through earning an MLS; not all practice areas demand an attorney. The law schools listed above have career counselors to help you find the right place to put your legal skills to good use.

Conclusion and Next Steps

If you want a career in law without the expense and time commitment of law school, then a Master of Legal Studies is for you. The first thing you can do is start investigating which schools and programs have the courses that align with your career goals.

California has a combination of unique schools and career opportunities not found in many other locations. If you think these schools are a good fit, contact the admissions offices and request more information. It’s not too early to begin your legal studies degree.