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 Board of Regents, State of Iowa in spring 2023.
The Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) 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 B.A. or B.S. 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 M.S.L. 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 J.D. 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 M.S.L. program does not qualify graduates to practice law.
The Master of Studies in Law program requires 30 s.h. of credit. With law school approval, M.S.L. students may take up to 9 s.h. in related coursework from other colleges across campus. Students complete common requirements and customize their curriculum based on interest. Students also may choose to pursue a specialty track such as the law and public policy track or the business and innovation track.
Common Requirements
All students must take the following.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW:8026 | Introduction to Law and Legal Reasoning | 1 |
| At least one College of Law writing seminar, independent study, or tutorial | 2 | |
| Two first-year courses required of J.D. students, including at least one of these: | ||
| LAW:8017 | Contracts | 4 |
| LAW:8037 | Property | 4 |
| LAW:8046 | Torts | 4 |
Applicants must submit an application for admission; a short statement detailing their reasons for pursuing the M.S.L. degree; a current résumé; official transcripts from all institutions students have attended; two letters of recommendation; and an official ACT, SAT, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), or Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Duolingo English Test (DET).
Application materials are reviewed by the M.S.L. Faculty Oversight Committee.