Legal Studies, M.S.L.S.
Ithaca, USA
MSc
DURATION
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
Key Summary
About: The Legal Studies, M.S.L.S. at Cornell University offers a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) for professionals and academics seeking legal knowledge without a full law degree. It covers contracts, torts, and legal reasoning, and emphasizes practical skills, legal research and writing, plus real-world application across disciplines.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can use legal insight in business, government, nonprofit, compliance, policy, corporate governance, contracts management, risk management, and consulting roles. Employers include in-house legal teams, regulatory agencies, policy think tanks, corporate compliance departments, and professional services firms. The programme supports careers in legal analysis, contract negotiation, regulatory affairs, and governance.
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program is designed to offer professionals and academics a way to deepen their understanding of legal principles without needing a full law degree. It covers core legal topics such as contracts, torts, and legal reasoning, helping students grasp how law impacts their specific fields. The program is flexible, often allowing students to choose electives based on their interests, making it suitable for those seeking to expand their legal knowledge for careers in business, government, or nonprofit work.
The program emphasizes practical skills and real-world applications, encouraging students to analyze legal issues critically and communicate effectively. It also aims to provide a solid foundation in legal research and writing, which can be valuable across many professions. Throughout the coursework, students are supported in developing a nuanced understanding of how law intersects with other disciplines. This focus helps learners apply their legal knowledge directly to their professional roles, enhancing their ability to navigate complex legal environments with confidence.
