Legal Studies (MS)
Law School
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.
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: Distance Education
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 30
Program Requirements
- This program is intended as a part-time program. Students are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits each semester and may not exceed a maximum of 7.5 credits per term.
- Students may petition the Program Director to exceed these limits.
- Note: A minimum of 6 credits is required to qualify for financial aid.
Satisfactorily complete 30 credits of work. This coursework includes:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| LEGAL 5100 | Introduction to the U.S. Legal System | 3 |
| LEGAL 5101 | Working with Business Contracts | 3 |
| LEGAL 5104 | Business Organizations and Corporate Governance | 1.5 |
| LEGAL 5108 | Compliance Systems | 3 |
| LEGAL 5109 | Regulatory Policy and Process | 1.5 |
| LEGAL 7100 | Capstone Project I | 1.5 |
| LEGAL 7101 | Capstone Project II | 3 |
| Elective Coursework | ||
| LEGAL Electives | 13.5 | |
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.
Program Calendar
Fall 2025
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 25, 2025 | First Day of Term |
| August 25, 2025 | First day of Instruction |
| September 1, 2025 | Labor Day - No Classes |
| October 13-19, 2025 | Fall Break |
| November 24-29, 2025 | Thanksgiving Break |
| December 14, 2025 | Last Day of Instruction |
| December 14, 2025 | Last Day of Term |
Spring 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 12, 2026 | First Day of Term |
| January 12, 2026 | First Day of Instruction |
| January 19, 2026 | Martin Luther King Jr Day - No Classes |
| March 2-8, 2026 | Spring Break |
| April 26, 2026 | Last Day of Instruction |
| April 26, 2026 | Last Day of Term |
Summer 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 | First Day of Term |
| May 11, 2026 | First Day of Instruction |
| May 25, 2026 | Memorial Day - No Classes |
| June 19, 2026 | Juneteenth - No Classes |
| June 29-July 4, 2026 | Break |