Master of Legal Studies
The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law is designed for graduate students and professionals whose interests and areas of employment would be enriched by the study of law, the legal system and legal reasoning but who do not want to practice law.
Highlights:
- Enables graduates to effectively interact with lawyers, think critically about organizations and their governing legal structures, and understand the legal, legislative and regulatory landscapes in which they operate.
- High-quality courses taught by renowned Denver Law faculty.
- Close interaction with JD and LLM students, as well as various law school and University of Denver resources.
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Degree Requirements
A general Master of Legal Studies degree requires at least 24 credit hours of approved coursework. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.7 to remain in good standing.
Students may choose courses from the range of Sturm College of Law courses, including courses that reflect the focus and expertise of the Sturm College of Law such as courses in Environmental Law and Natural Resources Law, Employment Law, Patents and Intellectual Property, Corporate and Commercial Law, Social Justice, Criminal Justice, and International Law fields.
Please note: if you are interested specifically in Environmental and Natural Resources Law, you may also consider an MLS with a major in Global Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law.
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Required Courses
LAWS 4064, Introduction to the American Legal System (2 credits)
LAWS 4034, Legal Research and Writing for Graduate Students (2 credits)Students must select one of the following courses:
LAWS 4025, Administrative Law
LAWS 4120, Civil Procedure
LAWS 4164, Constitutional Law
LAWS 4175, Contracts
LAWS 4195, Criminal Law
LAWS 4425, Legal Profession
LAWS 4490, Property
LAWS 4610, TortsFor the remaining course requirements, students may customize their course of study depending upon individual professional goals and availability of courses in the JD program. Possible areas of specialization include: finance and trade law and policy, intellectual property, international law, family law and workplace law. Students may also elect to pursue certain courses in the MSLA curriculum, with approval from the MLS Program Director or the Associate Dean of Graduate and International Legal Programs.
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