In-Person MSL
The Master of Studies in Law at Pitt Law is a 30-credit advanced degree designed for professionals seeking to enhance their careers with a versatile alternative to the traditional three-year JD. The MSL degree can boost your career by giving you a firm grounding in legal concepts and the opportunity to explore your selected area of law in depth. It is also appropriate for attorneys who wish to recalibrate or enhance their knowledge of a particular area of law.
The MSL Program enables attorneys and non-legal professionals to:
- Expand their knowledge of the US Legal System, specific to their areas of concentration
- Further their understanding of the rule of law through reading and analyzing previous case laws, statutes, and regulations
- Enhance their ability to communicate with colleagues and peers regarding legal issues that affect the workplace
- Gain familiarity with contemporary legal issues facing the US and the world
The MSL degree can be earned in classroom courses in two to four years in a flexible part-time schedule. Although it is possible to earn the in-person MSL in a one-year full-time program, it is very difficult to create a schedule to do so. Before applying for the full-time in-person program, please contact the program director at marilynixon@pitt.edu.
Students who complete a Pitt Law Online Certificate may apply the 15 credits earned in the online program to the in-person Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree. This option allows students to earn both the certificate and the MSL in 30 credit hours at an accelerated rate and with reduced tuition costs. To learn more, watch this video or contact msl@pitt.edu.
Online MSL
Pitt Law also offers the Master of Studies in Law Degree online. Like our in-person curriculum, this program is ideal for working professionals who want to advance their careers by building a foundation in US law and legal procedure. The online MSL courses are completely asynchronous and taught by world-renowned Pitt Law faculty and industry experts.
The MSL degree requires 30 credits for completion. Those who choose to enroll in the MSL Online program earn the first 15 credits through online classes tailor-made to non-legal professionals or attorneys who wish to brush up their knowledge. The year-long program begins in late August or early January. Students take one course at a time in a pre-set order. The second 15 credits may be completed in two different ways:
- Complete courses in the classroom at Pitt Law. Choose from a wide range of JD courses in more than 20 different specializations
- Complete one of our online certificate programs in Corporate Compliance, Health Care Compliance, Human Resources Law, International Business Law, or Sports, Entertainment, and Arts Law