Accelerated Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
You don’t have to become a lawyer to understand how the law shapes nearly every industry. USF Law’s Accelerated Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is designed for USF undergraduate students who want legal fluency without a JD.
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Earn an Accelerated Master of Legal Studies in Just Two Additional Semesters
The Accelerated MLS is built for students who see legal knowledge as a tool for leadership, problem-solving, and upward career mobility. You’ll enter your graduate program already understanding core legal concepts, ready to go deeper and move faster. Admitted students are guaranteed partial scholarships.
As a third or fourth year undergraduate, USF students must take two online, asynchronous courses. Those credits count toward your MLS degree, giving you a meaningful head start and the ability to complete the MLS in just one year.
Why Pursue an Accelerated Master of Legal Studies?
- Finish faster: Earn two degrees in less time and enter the workforce sooner
- Build advanced skills: Graduate with stronger writing, research, and problem-solving abilities
- Expand career options: Prepare for roles in policy, government, nonprofits, law enforcement, compliance, business management, human resources, and other law-adjacent fields
- Prepare for California careers: Gain legal fluency for work in regulated industries like tech, healthcare, intellectual property, entertainment, and real estate, where legal knowledge matters, even without a JD
- Get hands-on experience: Students who choose the experiential track get to learn ‘on the job’ through curated placements in the legal field
What is an Accelerated Master of Legal Studies?
The Accelerated Master of Legal Studies for USF undergraduate students lets you finish your MLS faster. By taking two required law courses during your undergraduate studies, you can complete the MLS in just two semesters after earning your bachelor’s degree. It’s designed for careers that intersect with law, but don’t require you to become a lawyer.
The MLS program lays a strong foundation in legal analysis and reasoning, legal research and writing, and core principles of U.S. Law. From there, you’ll shape the degree around your goals. The MLS offers flexibility, allowing you to either pursue a general degree or to concentrate on a specific legal field. Choose from one of eight concentrations:
- Business and Corporate Law
- AI and Emerging Technology Law
- Privacy & Intellectual Property Law
- Criminal Justice and Policy
- Environmental and Energy Law
- Immigration Law
- Labor & Employment Law
- Legal Technology
You can also choose to add an experiential component and complete the degree in three semesters.
Gain a Strategic Legal Edge in Your Career Without a JD
The program is designed for students and professionals who want practical, applicable legal knowledge.
Graduates of the MLS program pursue careers such as:
- Compliance Officer
- Contract Manager
- Law Enforcement Professional
- Patent Officer
- HR Director
- Risk Manager
- Court Administrator
- Environmental Policy Manager
- Financial Advisor
- Government Affairs Professional
- Hospital Administrator
- Insurance Broker
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Legal Analyst
- NGO Program Officer
- Nonprofit Director
- Quality Assurance Manager
*Pending ABA acquiescence
Frequently Asked Questions
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Any current USF undergraduate, from any major, can apply during their final year. You can apply either before or after completing the two introductory bridge courses.
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In your third or fourth year (minimum junior standing), you’ll complete two law introductory bridge courses. Both are offered online, asynchronously:
- Foundations of US Law (3 units)
- Principles of Legal Writing (3 units)
These courses are designed to be rigorous, flexible, and manageable alongside your undergraduate coursework and count toward your MLS degree once you’re admitted.
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Yes. Many students take these courses to explore an interest in law, strengthen critical thinking skills, or build a foundation in legal reasoning, before deciding whether to apply to the MLS program. Students in their third or fourth year are eligible to take the introductory bridge courses.
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You can choose between two tracks:
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Standard MLS Track (24 units): Available part-time or full-time
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Experiential MLS Track (32 units): A full-time option that includes enhanced professional development through the law school’s externship program
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- Standard MLS Track: 18 additional credits (24 total)
- Experiential MLS Track: 26 additional credits (32 total)
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