Master of Studies in Law (MSL)

The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) is a graduate degree designed for non-lawyers who want a foundational understanding of law and regulation relevant to their profession. GW Law's program is intended for professionals who work in fields where legal knowledge is essential but who do not seek to practice law or earn a JD. The program provides practical legal insight that can support career advancement, informed decision-making, and professional growth across industries.

The LSAT is not required to apply.

GW Law’s MSL program helps professionals advance their careers by building legal literacy that informs decision-making across industry, policy, and regulated fields. By gaining a practical understanding of how law influences organizations, without pursuing a law degree, graduates strengthen professional credibility and expand career opportunities.

The MSL program features a rigorous yet flexible curriculum that allows students to tailor their coursework to professional goals. Students complete a 24-credit program and select one of 13 areas of concentration, building legal knowledge applicable to their chosen field while balancing academic and professional commitments.

Our online MSL degree offers a 100% digital environment that combines asynchronous and synchronous components.

Format: Full-Time | Part-Time | Online, Hybrid, or On-campus
Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree (No JD required) | 3-5 years of professional experience in a related field 
Start: Fall | Spring

View Concentrations

• Business and Finance Law
• Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law
• Government Procurement Law
• Government Procurement and Cybersecurity Law
• National Security and Cybersecurity Law
• National Security and U.S. Foreign Relations Law
• Privacy, Security, and Data Technology Law

What is a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree?

Law school is not just for lawyers! Classic career advancement in the legal arena was once a winner-takes-all game reserved for those who took three years off to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) and pass the bar exam. Today, the distribution of power has shifted. The modern professional landscape requires individuals who can act as the vital bridge between a company’s operational teams and its legal counsel.

The GW Law MSL is designed explicitly for professionals who are not interested in practicing law, but who work in fields where a deep understanding of the law is essential. By focusing strictly on the intersection of government policy, corporate compliance, and technological innovation, the MSL provides you with the exact regulatory insight you need to thrive.

While traditional JD programs require 80 credit hours and a three-year full-time commitment, the GW Law MSL requires only 24 credit hours and can be completed part-time and either partially or fully online. This allows professionals in highly regulated fields—like government, healthcare, education, defense, and finance—to rapidly acquire the targeted expertise that employers are desperate to hire.

Is a JD required for this degree?

No. A JD is not required. The MSL degree is designed for experienced professionals with 3+ years of relevant experience who want legal knowledge without becoming attorneys.

Can I complete this degree online?

GW Law offers a variety of online or hybrid concentrations along with on-campus-only, options.

Online/Hybrid

• Business and Finance Law
• Business, Finance, and Corporate Compliance Law
• Government Procurement Law
• Government Procurement and Cybersecurity Law
• National Security and Cybersecurity Law
• National Security and U.S. Foreign Relations Law
• Privacy, Security, and Data Technology Law

On-Campus Only

• Environmental and Energy Studies
• First Amendment Speech and Free Expression
• Health Law and Policy
• Intellectual Property Law
• International and Comparative Law
• General MSL - Contact Graduate Admissions for details

How long does it take to complete the degree?

The program requires 24 credits and can typically be completed in 1–2 years, depending on enrollment status.

Why earn your MSL degree from GW Law?

In today’s hyper-regulated economy, professionals are navigating increasingly high-stakes career decisions. For non-lawyers operating at the crossroads of government policy and law, there is unequivocally no better investment than the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program at The George Washington University (GW) Law School. This degree represents the pinnacle of MSL programs at the crossroads of government policy and law. It is a phenomenal option and definitively the best choice for people working in this sector looking for explosive growth in their careers. By delivering elite legal fluency without the massive time commitment of a traditional Juris Doctor (JD), this program immediately transforms professionals into highly sought-after industry leaders.

Although online MSL students need not be in DC, they nevertheless benefit from the "insider" knowledge that GW Law's location provides. Our Foggy Bottom campus sits across the street from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, two blocks from the internationally renowned law firms on K Street, three blocks from the U.S. Department of State, and just a short subway ride from the Department of Defense, the U.S. Supreme Court and countless governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations. This proximity means that the program's faculty are the very policymakers and military officials actively drafting the regulations you must comply with. You are directly plugged into a massive network of over 33,000 living alumni, providing a localized strategic advantage that no other program can match.

Who needs to take a TOEFL or IELTS exam?

Only applicants who have not earned a University-level degree taught entirely in English must take an English proficiency exam. For example, any applicant who has earned a bachelor's degree in the U.S. is exempt from this requirement.