Master of Science in Law

Many other law schools have legal master’s programs — these programs go by a variety of names, including Master of Science in Law, Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Studies in Law (MSL), Juris Masters (JM), Master of Science in Legal Studies (MSLS), and others. Northwestern's Master of Science in Law degree is unique in that it is designed for students with STEM backgrounds or those who are specifically interested in the intersection of law, business, and technology.

An important distinguishing feature of Northwestern's MSL is that all classes in Northwestern's Master of Science in Law degree have been created especially for MSL students — courses from the JD program are not re-purposed for the MSL degree. Other distinguishing features include the plethora of class options and the fact that courses in Northwestern's MSL degree are taught by regular Northwestern Pritzker faculty and an impressive set of Northwestern adjunct professors — the same faculty who teach JD students. These unique features differentiate Northwestern’s legal master's degree from other legal master’s programs.

STEM is central to the design of the MSL program in two key ways: the backgrounds our students bring to the classroom and the focus of the curriculum itself. 

Many MSL students come from STEM fields such as engineering, biotechnology, healthcare, data science, computer science, and other technical disciplines. These shared backgrounds create common ground in the classroom and often propel class discussion. Students frequently connect legal concepts to real-world technical challenges, enriching classroom conversations with informed, practical perspectives. 

At the same time, the curriculum focuses on legal and regulatory issues that are relevant in STEM-focused industries, such as pharma, finance, energy, and technology. Courses explore a variety of interdisciplinary topics relevant in these industries: protecting and licensing intellectual property, regulation of medical devices, the role of privacy concerns in product development, how environmental law impacts public health, strategic approaches to data governance, ethical and adoption issues with artificial intelligence, and many more. Rather than studying law in the abstract or more generally, the MSL curriculum invites students to bring their STEM-informed perspectives to the classroom as they explore a variety of topics at the intersection of STEM, law, business, and regulation.

If you know you want to be a lawyer or practice law, then, of course, you will need to get a JD. But if you are interested in interacting with law in your career, understanding how legal and business issues interact, and tackling complex issues with legal implications — not as a lawyer, but as a well-rounded professional — the Master of Science in Law is an ideal option. In the MSL, you will learn essential aspects of law, regulation, business, and legal thinking without the significant time and expense of a JD program. The MSL includes some of the best aspects of the JD — great Northwestern faculty, a dynamic classroom environment, a fascinating cohort of students, and a focus on legal thinking — but in a streamlined format and with a practical focus. All that said, some students find that they enjoy law study so much that they choose to pursue a JD degree after finishing the MSL.

An MBA is a good choice for a student who wishes to have an established, traditional business credential. But for students interested in an interdisciplinary approach to business study, or those wanting to develop a nuanced understanding of how legal and business matters interact with each other and with STEM fields, the Master of Science in Law degree is a great option.

Note that an MBA and an MSL are not interchangeable — while there is some overlap in focus between these degrees, the MSL covers topics that are not covered in MBA programs. In fact, the MSL attracts many students who already have MBAs — accomplished professionals who realize the need to add legal and regulatory skills to their toolkits as they advance in their careers.

It will. An understanding of law and regulation is essential for healthcare professionals, who interact with legal and regulatory structures, complex bureaucracies, and situations requiring sophisticated risk assessment. The MSL program has enrolled many medical professionals, including nurses, doctors, insurance professionals, research administrators, and medical device entrepreneurs. In addition, numerous MSL graduates (over 70 and counting) have gone on to further medical education after completing the program.

No. The MSL is meant for students who do not have a background in U.S. law. The required curriculum focuses on foundational legal concepts and is not designed for students who have already studied law in a JD or LLM program in the United States.

Though the Master of Science in Law is a standalone degree that is not meant as a pre-JD program, completion of the MSL most certainly helps those who decide to pursue a JD. Because MSL graduates take demanding law classes from JD faculty in subject areas similar to those required in a JD program, they are very well-prepared to hit the ground running and to perform successfully in JD study. MSL graduates who have gone on to JD programs after completing the MSL have excelled in their studies and had highly successful careers in law.

No. U.S. law schools will not grant credit for any academic work a student does prior to entering the JD program.

There is no pipeline from Northwestern's Master of Science in Law into Northwestern's JD program; the admissions processes for these two programs are independent. That said, several high-achieving MSL alumni have gone on to earn JDs at Northwestern.

To recognize the excellence that these MSL graduates have brought to the JD program, in 2026, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law created a scholarship award for an MSL graduate who is admitted through the regular admissions process to Northwestern's JD program. This scholarship recognizes the value of MSL training and the importance of bringing STEM expertise into the JD classroom. It is also a recognition of the outstanding JD students and alumni who received their initial legal training in the MSL program. The Law School anticipates awarding one $135,000 scholarship per year, payable over three years.

In addition to Northwestern's JD program, several MSL graduates have pursued their JDs at other top U.S. law schools and have reported that the MSL was a positive factor in their admissions decisions, allowing them to demonstrate scholastic aptitude and an informed, committed approach to JD study.