The Master of Studies in Law program has been suspended and is not accepting graduate students at this time. The suspension of this program was approved by the Iowa Board of Regents in spring 2023.
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree is primarily intended to educate students and professionals in other fields who do not wish to practice law but who need to recognize and respond effectively to legal issues arising in their work. Individuals who have completed their BA or BS degree may choose to better position themselves in the job market. Others may be on an established career path but seek to increase their skill set and enhance mobility and promotion opportunities.
The MSL program provides professionals with an overview of the legal system as a whole, as well as an introduction to some of the legal issues that they are likely to confront in their fields. Students take existing courses in the College of Law alongside JD students.
The degree may be completed in as little as one year of full-time study or in not more than four years of part-time study. The MSL program does not qualify graduates to practice law.