Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.)

The Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.) program from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law offers flexibility, versatility, and broad-ranging instructional excellence.

The 26-credit program equips students with both a general understanding of the American legal system and specific knowledge of their chosen field of interest. During the first semester, all students enrolled in the M.L.S. program take Introduction to American Law and Legal Methods. This introductory course designed exclusively for M.L.S. students provides an overview of the American legal system and teaches the process of legal analysis. All M.L.S. students will conclude their studies by working with a faculty member on a final project. The remaining credits allow candidates to further their knowledge in their chosen field of interest.

The M.L.S. degree program enhances the ability of professionals to work with lawyers and legal issues, to gain a deeper knowledge of a particular legal field, and to understand laws and regulations. Students can choose to concentrate in the fields of Compliance and Corporate Responsibility, Criminal Justice, Employment and Human Resources, Intellectual Property, and Political Law. Alternatively, students may choose a General U.S. Law option, which allows students to design a course of study that best suits their interests and needs.

The Columbus School of Law shines as a hidden gem within legal education in Washington, D.C. It is an academy composed of collegial and compassionate students, a supportive and academically distinguished faculty, and an accomplished and well-connected alumni base that stands ready to help today’s students reach their goals. Our students excel individually and collectively. They earn fellowships, externships, and scholarships; some also publish in law journals. Our moot court and trials teams win accolades in competitions from Puerto Rico to Vienna to Hong Kong. CUA Law students advocate for live clients through our pioneering legal clinic, proving daily the truth of the ancient maxim: I do and I understand. The faculty-student ratio is small. Professors go the extra mile to assist students with recommendations and in making professional connections. Add to this a law school environment noted for camaraderie, where students want to see each other succeed, and you have the foundation of an unforgettable law school experience. Teachers and doers, our full time and adjunct faculty members are professors, scholars, researchers, practitioners, and legal commentators of the first order. Some remain active in the courtroom. Others have authored benchmark texts in subjects such as torts and securities law. They present at conferences and on panels around the world. They are read, quoted, cited, and respected. Above all, our faculty is devoted to excellence in the teaching of law and to the performance success of our students. Our state-of-the-art building is located just minutes from the heart of Washington, D.C., the nation’s legal epicentre and the best city in America for the study of law. The Columbus School of Law has been a member of the Associa­tion of American Law Schools (AALS) since 1921 and the Ameri­can Bar Assoc­iation (ABA) since 1925. We invite you to explore our Web site and learn about what makes the Columbus School of Law stand apart. Since 1897, the law school has welcomed students of every faith and background, teaching, guiding, and assisting their transformation into some of the very best legal practitioners in America.