For a recent McGeorge School of Law webinar, Professor Erin O’Neal, current student Jeffrey Benson, and alumnus Alex Torres shared how the Master of Science in Law (MSL) in Government Law & Policy prepares professionals to lead at the intersection of law and policy.
Lasting impact in government requires a strong understanding of how law works. The MSL in Government Law & Policy is designed for professionals who want that deeper legal knowledge, but don’t want to pursue a JD.
The program equips students with tools in statutory interpretation, the legislative process, and legal reasoning, all of which directly strengthen careers in government and regulatory environments. Students learn how laws are drafted, how courts interpret statutes, and how regulatory frameworks operate. For many, this legal fluency becomes a turning point in their career trajectory.
The Sacramento Policy Ecosystem
Based in Sacramento, McGeorge sits at the center of California’s legislative activity. California’s scale and policy leadership often influence national conversations in areas such as housing, environmental regulation, healthcare, and civil rights.
Through the Capital Center for Law & Policy, students connect with alumni and professionals working in the legislature, state agencies, and advocacy organizations. Even for online students, the program remains deeply rooted in this ecosystem. Policy careers are built on relationships, and McGeorge’s alumni presence in Sacramento creates meaningful networking opportunities for students entering or advancing in government spaces.
From Policy Work to Legal Precision: Alumnus Alex Torres
For alumnus Alex Torres, the decision to pursue the MSL stemmed from a specific professional goal. Already working in lobbying and government relations, he understood basic, everyday legislative process and policy analysis, but wanted deeper insight into legal drafting and statutory construction. Through the MSL program, Alex developed the ability to read legislation with a more analytical lens. That training allowed him to identify ambiguities, propose more effective amendments, and anticipate how a newly passed bill might be challenged or applied.
Today, as Vice President and Co-Founder of Golden Bear Strategies, a Sacramento-based government relations and consulting firm, he credits that legal foundation with sharpening his effectiveness as an advocate and business leader.
Purpose, Legacy, and Systems-Level Change: Current Student Jeffrey Benson
Jeff Benson entered the McGeorge MSL program with decades of experience across public and private sectors, including work in procurement and enterprise consulting. A lifelong civil rights advocate whose family legacy includes the historic Brown v. Board of Education case, he sought a stronger legal framework to support his commitment to justice and government accountability.
The MSL provides the legal language and structural understanding needed to influence policy at a systems level. Jeff spoke about bridging personal purpose with informed governance, strengthening his ability to analyze how institutions operate and where reform can occur within legal boundaries. Recently, he applied for a competitive executive fellowship program at the state level, an opportunity he believes the MSL program directly opened up for him.
Flexible and Designed for Working Professionals
The Government Law & Policy concentration is fully online and asynchronous, allowing working professionals to complete coursework with flexibility while maintaining weekly engagement and academic rigor.
The curriculum includes required foundational courses and elective flexibility. Students may take courses across MSL concentrations and other programs, such as public policy, public administration, or the JD. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the reality of modern government work, where legal analysis intersects with budgeting, administration, regulatory compliance, and social impact.
A Community Built on Diverse Experience
There is no single pathway into government law and policy. Students enter the program from backgrounds in communication, education, business, public service, nonprofit leadership, and advocacy. This diversity strengthens classroom dialogue and expands professional networks.
At McGeorge, online or in-person, students have access to career services, affinity organizations, alumni engagement, and networking events that help translate classroom learning into professional opportunities.
Careers in government and policy demand analytical precision, strategic communication, and an understanding of how legal systems shape public outcomes; understanding how law works allows professionals to shape policy with greater clarity and authority.
If you are exploring a career in government, public service, regulatory affairs, or policy leadership, the MSL in Government Law & Policy at McGeorge School of Law may provide the legal foundation to elevate your impact.
For more information about the program, admissions process, or upcoming application deadlines, contact the Graduate Law Programs team.
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