MSL Residential Program

The MSL residential program includes both full-time and part-time options. The full-time program can be completed in 9-months at Northwestern Law’s downtown Chicago campus. The part-time program is designed for STEM  professionals in the Chicagoland area and can be completed in two to four years, also at the Law School’s downtown Chicago campus. 

Both residential programs operate on the semester system, with each semester divided into two eight-week terms: Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, and Spring 2. Each eight-week term includes a seven-week session and a one-week session, called the “Power Week.” The seven-week sessions include foundational and in-depth classes, while the Power Weeks tend to include more focused, specialized, and workshop-type classes. 

This unique structure of four separate seven-week sessions coupled with four Power Weeks allows MSL students to experience a wide variety of classes, topics, formats, and pedagogical techniques. 

Classes in the MSL residential program are scheduled Monday through Friday, during both daytime and evening timeslots, with occasional weekend classes offered. 

Full-time students are generally in class an average of 12 to 15 hours per week, divided between day and evening classes. Part-time students are generally in class an average of 3 to 6 hours per week, usually in evening classes that meet 1 or 2 nights per week. Additionally, students should expect a substantial amount of out-of-class work, approximately 4 to 8 hours per course per week.

MSL Program Rules (pdf) for students who entered in the Fall 2019 semester.