Master of Science in Legal Administration
The Master of Science in Legal Administration (MSLA) program, the Sturm College of Law will prepare you for a successful career in legal management. Since 1972, the MSLA program has provided students with the knowledge and skills to run a law firm or legal organization, both nationally and internationally.
All courses are delivered in an asynchronous online format that allows you to fit the program within your schedule. Students may attend full-time or part-time, depending on their schedule and needs, and graduate in one to four years.
Learn More
-
Degree Requirements
The mission of the MSLA program is to improve the quality of justice worldwide through educating and training the professionals who manage, operate and lead law firms and legal organizations.
The MSLA program requires 24 semester hours of credit. The program is fully online with no residency requirement. Courses are offered across Fall, Spring, and, occasionally, Summer semesters.
Students take the following required classes:
MSLA 4151, Applied Leadership and Management Theory
MSLA 4380, Communication, Writing, and Research in Legal Business
MSLA 4410, Accounting and Financial Management in Legal Business
MSLA 4385, Law Firm Communications and Technology
MSLA 4420, Legal Practice Seminar-Law as a Business
MSLA 4201, Law Firm Administration
MSLA 4954, Project ManagementAs part of the 24 credits, students must also complete a managed externship/creative project for 3 credits. The managed externship/creative project allows MSLA students to apply knowledge acquired during coursework and can lead to career opportunities. Students who are working in the legal industry can fulfill the externship requirement in their job with a special creative project.
-
Capstone Project and Externship Information
The Capstone Project/Externship is an MSLA program requirement that is typically pursued when a student has completed at least 50% of the required coursework or in the last term of study. The Capstone allows students to apply knowledge acquired during coursework through experiential opportunity in a law firm, legal organization or court. The host organization is asked to provide relevant, real-world experience for the student. Host supervisors plan the agenda, monitor performance and evaluate the student.
Students may use their current place of employment to fulfill the externship requirements. If a separate placement is sought, students are required to obtain pre-approval of host site from the Program Director. Students must complete at least 150 hours of field work when in a placement that is not their current job. Students must also complete a related research project culminating in a research paper of 20-25 pages.
Students will also be registered for a concurrent Capstone course in Canvas. Under the supervision of MSLA faculty, the online component will focus on professional development and provide necessary skills and tools for students to market themselves and communicate learning experiences to potential employers.
Steps for Capstone approval:
- Complete Research Project Proposal Form
- Complete Externship Proposal Form
- The Graduate Legal Studies office will register you for Capstone credits once all forms are received and approved:
-
Advanced Standing MSLA
The Advanced Standing MSLA is available to current and graduated JD students. Advanced Standing students complete 21 credit hours rather than the 24 semester hours required in the traditional MSLA program. All classes are completed online. All degree requirements may be found here.
Advanced Standing students are exempt from taking the following class:
- Capstone/Externship
Denver Law Graduate Programs Contact
