Legal Studies (MS)

Law School

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Program Description

This master's degree in legal studies from Cornell Law School is designed specifically for business professionals. Covering key areas ranging from contracts and negotiations to corporate governance and compliance, to employment and immigration law, to privacy and intellectual property issues, the courses in this degree program will help you develop a sense of how the law works, along with the deeper regulatory knowledge and frontline skills in legal research, effective communication, and critical reasoning needed to work at the intersection of business and law.

Academic Standards

M.S.L.S. students are not permitted to enroll in any residential or online courses at Cornell Law School or any other unit of Cornell University beyond what is offered for the M.S.L.S. program.

General M.S.L.S. Academic Deficiency

Depending on the grade scale for the course, an M.S.L.S. student who receives a U or grade of D+ or below after completion of any course within the program will be placed on informal probation, and must meet with the Assistant Dean of External Education prior to continued enrollment. An M.S.L.S. student will be dropped for scholastic deficiency if in the judgment of the faculty the student's work at any time is markedly unsatisfactory. Work may be considered markedly unsatisfactory if, for example, the merit point ratio for work after completion of at least 6 credits is lower than D+ or two or more U grades are received.

Advanced Standing for the Master of Science in Legal Studies through Prior Learning Assessment:

The Master of Science in Legal Studies (MSLS) program will grant advanced standing to individuals that have completed prior learning assessments through identified certificates from eCornell. 

  • A maximum of 4.5 credits of advanced standing will be awarded.  
  • Advanced standing is only available towards the completion of the Master of Science in Legal Studies and cannot be used towards any other degree offered by Cornell Law School. 
  • A score commensurate with B (85%) or higher must be achieved in the certificate to be considered for advanced standing. 
  • Certificates that correspond to the following courses in the MSLS will be the only courses considered for Advances Standing. 
    • Business Contracts: students who have completed the eCornell Certificate in Business Contracts will be eligible to apply for a 3-credit reduction credits required for the degree. 
    • Conducting Legal Research: students who have completed the eCornell Certificate in Conducting Legal Research will be eligible to apply for a 1.5-credit reduction credits required for the degree.  
    • Additionally, any students that meet both criteria will be eligible to apply for 4.5-credit reduction credits required for the degree.
  • Students must apply for advanced standing upon admission to the program.  
  • Any applications received after the first 7 weeks of the MSLS program will not be considered for advanced standing.