General MLS Degree Path

Enrollment Options

You may pursue a general MLS degree, concentrate in a specific area through a specialized program, or pursue self-designed curriculum in their area of interest.

The MLS is available online and on campus, with most core classes offered in the evenings to accommodate working professionals.

Full-Time or Part-Time

You may pursue the MLS on a full-time or part-time basis. Whether you opt for the full-time or part-time program, you can begin your studies in the fall or spring.

Full-Time Program
Full-time students will complete their degree requirements in two consecutive semesters in one academic year. Full-time course work typically includes completing 15–17 units a semester.

Part-Time Program
The part-time MLS program accommodates working professionals who cannot complete their degree requirements in one academic year. Part-time MLS students must complete their degree requirements within four years of enrolling in the program.

Tucson - Phoenix - Online

Enroll in the University of Arizona Master of Legal Studies degree, offered fully online and now with optional in-person* evening classes once a week at the UA Chandler campus (located at the Chandler Community Center).

Requirements and Degree Path

In order to earn an MLS degree, you must complete a total of 30 units, including foundational courses in core substantive areas of the law encompassing contracts, torts, property, constitutional law, procedure, and legal research and writing.

For the remaining 15 units, you may choose from a wide range of electives, including related courses offered by other schools or departments at the University of Arizona.

The General MLS and several MLS concentrations provide for interdisciplinary study through other schools or departments at the University of Arizona. Please note that not all elective courses are offered every year. Required courses are offered every year.

You are assigned an MLS degree advisor upon acceptance to the MLS Program. The advisor will assist you in selecting your courses, following the appropriate sequencing, and choosing an MLS concentration, if any.

You also benefit from engagement with the law school community, including student organizations and programming in their areas of interest. 

Course Options and Requirements

In order to provide MLS students with an adequate foundation to take upper-level specialized elective courses, all MLS students take one semester of core classes in the same subjects studied by JD students during their entire first year. These innovative courses aim to provide this foundation in half the time through focused, rigorous courses co-convened at the 400-/500-levels:

• LAW 501       Procedure (civil, criminal, and administrative procedure)
• LAW 502A    The American Common Law System I (torts, contracts)
• LAW 502B    The American Common Law System II (property)
• LAW 504       The American Public Law System (constitutional law)
• LAW 507       Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research

After you complete the core courses, you may begin taking courses to complete a concentration if you wish to focus your degree on a particular area.

Concentrations

Consider specializing in an area of law as part of your Master of Legal Studies degree if you wish to gain deeper expertise in a particular field. In addition to the following concentrations, you may design your own curriculum to suit your interests and goals.

Concentrations are optional and do not appear on your transcript.  If you complete a concentration you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the College of Law.  Your degree will read "Master of Legal Studies."

All concentrations are also available online.

Career Outcomes

Your Master of Legal Studies degree opens the door to a wide variety of careers.

University of Arizona Law MLS graduates have secured positions in insurance, employee benefits, procurement, contracts administration, compliance, business analysis, public policy, law enforcement, law office support services and in a wide variety of other fields. Students have obtained positions with governmental agencies, business organizations, social service providers, educational institutions, non-profits and international NGOs.  

Jobs held by recent University of Arizona MLS graduates include: