Earn Your Master of Legal Studies Online from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law

Why Choose Pepperdine’s Master of Legal Studies Program?

The online Master of Legal Studies program is designed for nonlawyers looking to develop a fundamental understanding of US law and legal procedures to better perform law-related job responsibilities and solve complex legal challenges. The curriculum explores a range of legal topics, such as contracts, administrative law, property law, and health law.

Students can further specialize their learning with optional concentrations in human resources or dispute resolution, with courses from Pepperdine Caruso School of Law’s Straus Institute—top-ranked for dispute resolution by U.S. News and World Report.¹

 The online program can be completed in as few as 16 months. No GRE, LSAT, or GMAT scores are required for admission to the program.

The online program features:

Live Online Classes

Collaborate with Pepperdine Caruso School of Law faculty and classmates weekly in face-to-face classes online. With a small student-to-faculty ratio, classes are designed to encourage discussion and debate.

Accomplished, Accessible Faculty

Learn from the same faculty who teach on campus. Our law professors are published scholars and legal experts who will mentor you to ensure your success.

In-Person Residencies

Network with peers, faculty, and dispute resolution experts while putting your conflict resolution skills into practice during two weekend residencies hosted at Pepperdine’s Malibu campus.

Experiential Learning

Benefit from practical learning experiences, such as simulations and mock exercises, to reinforce your learning and to help you apply your knowledge at work. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law was ranked number three in the country by National Jurist for practical training in 2019.²

Concentrations Available

Customize your learning experience by selecting an optional concentration in human resources or dispute resolution. The Straus Institute at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is top-ranked for dispute resolution by U.S. News & World Report.

“We are thrilled to bring Pepperdine’s legacy of personal attention and experiential learning to students across the United States. With the online Master of Legal Studies, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law continues to provide a practical, values-centered legal education that helps ambitious students accomplish their personal and professional goals.”

Paul L. Caron
Dean of Pepperdine Law

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¹ U.S. News & World Report, 2021 Best Law Schools Rankings. Retrieved March 17, 2020 from https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-law-schools/dispute-resolution-rankings
² PreLaw Magazine, 2019 ranking of law school practical training programs. Retrieved January 7, 2020 from https://mydigitalpublication.com/publication/frame.php?i=578230&p=20&pn=&ver=html5