DEVELOP FUTURE-READY LEGAL SKILLS THAT STRENGTHEN YOUR CAREER

MS in Legal Studies

Applications now open for the Fall 2026 on-campus cohort

Why Professionals Are Choosing the
MS in Legal Studies

Global careers now demand more than business instincts. As regulations tighten and cross-border work expands, professionals must ground every decision in legal clarity.

This program builds the legal fluency you need to:

The MS in Legal Studies builds the legal fluency you would need to:

Navigate complex global regulations
Assess risk with a legal mindset
Negotiate stronger, safer deals
Make decisions that withstand scrutiny

Navigate complex global regulations
Assess risk with a legal mindset
Make decisions that withstand scrutiny
Negotiate stronger, safer deals

Legal literacy is now a core professional skill and a powerful edge for Indian professionals pursuing international growth.

about the program

Duration - 1 year | Program Fee - $51,090 | Credits - 26

The MSLS degree program is a great option for professionals seeking to achieve their goals and elevate their careers by attaining a deeper knowledge of the law, but who do not plan to become attorneys.

With an extensive list of courses across the law spectrum taught by our distinguished full-time and adjunct faculty, our program delivers an exceptional academic experience that ensures students are best positioned to achieve their professional aspirations.

Concentrations to be chosen from:

International Law

Business and Corporate Law

Intellectual Property

Criminal Law

Taxation

Environmental and Energy Law

DEVELOP FUTURE-READY LEGAL SKILLS
THAT STRENGTHEN YOUR CAREER

MS in Legal Studies

Applications now open for
the Fall 2026 on-campus cohort

DEVELOP FUTURE-READY LEGAL SKILLS
THAT STRENGTHEN YOUR CAREER

MS in Legal Studies

Applications now open for
the Fall 2026 on-campus cohort

Guided by Scholars Who Shape Modern Legal Thought

Robert Schapiro

Dean & C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law

A recipient of the prestigious 2023 Witkin Award for Excellence in Legal Education, he is widely regarded for his contributions to modern legal scholarship.

A distinguished member of the American Law Institute, Prof. Schapiro studied JD at Yale Law School and MA at Stanford University.

Previously, he was the Dean of Emory University, School of Law and a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens of the Hon. Supreme Court of the United States.

Dov Fox

Herzog Research Professor of Law

Orly Lobel

Warren Distinguished Professor of Law

Ted Sichelman

Judith Keep Professor of Law

Dean Robert Shapiro

C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law

A recipient of the prestigious 2023 Witkin Award for Excellence in Legal Education, he is widely regarded for his contributions to modern legal scholarship.

A distinguished member of the American Law Institute, Prof. Schapiro studied <name the degree> at Yale Law School and <add degree> at Stanford University.

Previously, he was the Dean of Emory University, School of Law and a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens of the Hon. Supreme Court of the United States.

Dov Fox

Herzog Research Professor of Law

Professor Fox served as a law clerk to the Honorable Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He has also worked at the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; the consulting firm of McKinsey & Company; and the Civil Appellate Staff at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Orly Lobel

Warren Distinguished Professor of Law

With a Harvard Law School background, a clerkship at the Israeli Supreme Court, and service on President Obama’s policy team focused on innovation and labor-market competition, she stands among today’s influential legal thinkers. Her keynote at the 2023 United Nations AI for Good Summit in Geneva further underscores her global leadership.

Ted Sichelman

Judith Keep Professor of Law

Ted Sichelman is a Harvard-trained intellectual property scholar, venture-backed tech entrepreneur and award-winning legal academic who directs USD School of Law’s Center for Intellectual Property Law & Markets. He is internationally regarded for advancing research on innovation, patents and competition policy, with his work informing debates across academia, industry and government.

A Law School Rooted in Service and Social Impact

Established in 1971, USD’s Clinical Program, where students deliver supervised pro bono legal services across 13 clinics, is recognized nationally for its depth and impact.

The USD Legal Clinics has a dual mission. First, to provide outstanding clinical training to law students to teach them how to practice law at the highest level. Second, to help low-income individuals most in need in the San Diego community.

Established in 1971, USD’s Clinical Program, where students deliver supervised pro bono legal services across 13 clinics, is recognized nationally for its depth and impact.

500+

Cases closed

180+

Student interns trained

18,500+

Hours logged

600-700

Active cases on average

Career Support That Opens Global Doors

Career Support That Open
Global Doors

World-Wide Legal Network

Network with alumni working as judges and top attorneys across corporate, tax law.

1 Year OPT

Gain hands-on experience at U.S. law firms/agencies.

Career Support

Get 1-on-1 career counseling, access global job fairs, résumé workshops and curated job leads.

Personalized Program Planning

Design your progran to match your long-term career goals.

The gateway to the future of law

An ABA-accredited law school, the USD School of Law serves as the intellectual resource for advancing the world with fresh thinkers and policy that can shape society and drive progress.

The intersection of industries and entrepreneurialism in San Diego offers endless opportunity in the region and abroad. These factors, combined with an extensive network of supportive alumni, ensure students are prepared for wherever they go next.

An ABA-accredited law school, the USD School of Law serves as the intellectual resource for advancing the world with fresh thinkers and policy that can shape society and drive progress.