Prospective students recently joined McGeorge School of Law for a virtual information session on the Master of Science in Law (MSL) and online Master of Laws (LLM) programs. Led by Katjana Wurschum, Assistant Director of Graduate and Online Programs, the session provided an in-depth look at how these programs help working professionals and attorneys deepen their legal knowledge, advance their careers, or transition into new roles.
Both MSL and LLM programs were originally designed for working professionals and continue to attract students with substantial career experience, often ranging from 10 to 20 years. At the same time, McGeorge welcomes students coming directly from undergraduate studies or early in their careers, creating a diverse learning environment that enriches classroom discussions and peer interactions.
The MSL at McGeorge
The MSL is created for professionals who want a legal foundation without earning a JD or becoming an attorney. It is particularly valuable for individuals in business, government, HR, healthcare, policy, compliance, or environmental fields. The program equips students with expertise in a particular area of law, enhancing their professional qualifications and providing a competitive advantage in the workplace. Many students pursue the MSL to advance in their current roles, switch career paths, or gain legal reasoning skills applicable to their industry.
Students can choose from fully online, hybrid, or custom concentrations depending on their professional interests. Fully online concentrations include Business Law, Government Law & Policy, and Water & Environmental Law. Hybrid concentrations, such as Health Law and Human Resources, combine online coursework with some in-person classes on the Sacramento campus. For students whose interests span multiple areas, a custom concentration allows flexible course selection across disciplines. The program is built to accommodate busy schedules, with most students taking two courses per semester, though flexibility allows for one or three courses depending on individual workload and personal commitments.
The MSL curriculum begins with foundational courses such as Introduction to Legal Analysis and Contracts, delivered asynchronously online. From there, students select courses relevant to their concentration. For example, Government Law & Policy students take classes in Executive Branch & Administrative State, Legislatures & Lawmaking, and Government Law & Policymaking, supplemented by summer skills courses in Persuasive Public Speaking and Leadership & Organization.
Students in Water & Environmental Law complete courses in Water Resources Law and Environmental Law, alongside foundational courses and summer skills classes. Business Law students focus on Business Organizations and Negotiations, the latter of which includes some live components for skill-building. Hybrid concentrations incorporate electives drawn from JD courses, such as Health Law, Reproductive Rights and Justice, Elder and Social Policy, Employment Law, Contract Drafting, and Labor Law, giving students the flexibility to tailor their education to their career goals.
The LLM at McGeorge
The LLM program, on the other hand, is designed for individuals who already hold a law degree, including JD graduates, licensed attorneys, and foreign-trained lawyers with an LLB or equivalent. The LLM focuses on water and environmental law, providing a pathway to specialization for attorneys who want to develop expertise in natural resources, environmental compliance, regulatory work, or public agency practice. Core courses include Executive Branch, Legislatures & Lawmaking, Water Resources Law, and Environmental Law. Students can also choose to engage in directed research or pursue a master’s thesis under faculty guidance. The program requires 24 units to graduate, with most students completing it part-time, taking two courses per semester.
McGeorge’s online courses are structured to accommodate professional schedules. All classes are asynchronous, featuring short, pre-recorded lectures, weekly modules with assignments and readings, and discussion boards for interaction with faculty and peers. Two courses, Negotiations and Persuasive Public Speaking, include limited live components, with schedules coordinated in advance. Despite the online format, students are fully integrated into the McGeorge community, with access to career services, campus resources, and alumni events.
Admissions and Other Important Information
Admissions for both programs do not require the GRE or LSAT. Applications include a personal statement, resume, transcripts, and at least one professional or academic recommendation. MSL applicants are also asked to submit a writing sample. Students are automatically considered for the Dean’s Merit Scholarship, which can provide up to $8,150, and the Graduate Student Scholarship, offering up to $2,000. Additionally, a McGeorge alum who writes a recommendation for an applicant provides a 5% tuition discount. McGeorge welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds, highlighting that the diversity of experience in each cohort creates richer discussions and meaningful peer learning. While many students are mid-career professionals, the programs also attract recent graduates and early-career individuals, resulting in a mix of perspectives that enhances the educational experience.
Please reach out with questions or for personalized guidance! Kat, Assistant Director of Graduate and Online Programs, is available for one-on-one conversations about curriculum planning, concentration selection, and the admissions process, ensuring prospective students have all the resources they need to make informed decisions about joining the MSL or LLM programs. She’d love to hear from you at kwurschum@pacific.edu.
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