Master of Studies in Law (MSL) Program
What Is a Master of Studies in Law?
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) at the University of Florida Levin College of Law is a 30-credit graduate degree for professionals who work alongside the law but do not intend to practice it. No JD is required, and no LSAT or GRE score is needed to apply.
The program is built for people in compliance, tax, finance, healthcare, human resources, education, and estate planning — fields where legal and regulatory questions surface daily. Students develop a working command of the legal frameworks that govern their industry, strengthening decision-making, regulatory awareness, and leadership credibility.
The MSL can be completed fully online, or in a hybrid format with in-person weekend classes at UF’s Jacksonville campus.
Program Highlights
- 30-credits, completed fully online or in a hybrid format
- Finish in as little as one year; most students take two
- Three start terms each year: Fall, Spring, and Summer
- No LSAT or GRE required, and no letters of recommendation
- Four concentrations and four areas of study built around industry demand
- Taught by UF Law faculty and practicing legal professionals
Concentrations and Areas of Study
Concentrations
A concentration is a University-approved specialization within the MSL program. Students who complete all concentration requirements will have the concentration officially recognized on their academic transcript.
Choose from one of the following specialized tracks, or customize your own:
Financial & Tax Compliance
Build a solid foundation in financial regulations and federal tax principles to effectively support compliance and decision-making in business and finance.
Healthcare Compliance
Master healthcare laws and regulations to lead compliance programs, protect patient privacy, and promote ethical healthcare operations across the industry.
Financial Services & Estate Planning
Develop legal literacy in tax, wealth management, and estate planning to advise and work alongside financial professionals and enhance fiduciary effectiveness.
General Legal Studies
Customize a broad legal education by selecting courses across disciplines, sharpening critical thinking and legal fluency for varied professional applications.
Areas of Study
An area of study is a curated group of courses designed to provide focused knowledge and practical skills in a specific subject area. While areas of study are not University-approved concentrations and do not appear on a student’s transcript, they offer an excellent opportunity to develop expertise in a specialized field.
Sports and Entertainment Law
Explore the legal frameworks that govern sports, media, and entertainment, focusing on contracts, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance for industry professionals.
Banking Regulation and Compliance
Equip yourself with legal expertise to navigate banking laws, manage financial institution compliance, and mitigate risk in a regulated global financial environment.
Employment Law and Compliance
Gain practical skills and legal knowledge to manage workplace laws, conduct investigations, and foster compliant, fair, and ethical employer-employee relations.
Education Law
Learn to navigate the legal issues shaping K-12 and higher education, including policy, compliance, and student rights within educational institutions.
*Select classes from the above areas along with electives to build a unique program.
How Is the MSL Program Delivered?
Fully Online
Courses combine asynchronous learning you complete on your own schedule with optional live sessions. Classes are taught by UF Law faculty and practicing legal professionals, balancing real-world insight with academic rigor. Students can complete the full 30-credit degree online from anywhere.
Online & In-Person
This option blends online learning with in-person classes at UF’s Jacksonville campus. Students attend four weekends during the 13-week term, Saturdays and Sundays. Coursework between those weekends is completed online, keeping students connected with faculty and classmates.
What Can You Do With an MSL Degree?
The MSL is not a path to practicing law — graduates cannot sit for the bar. It is a credential for professionals who need to read, interpret, and act on the law inside their own industry. Graduates apply it in roles such as:
- Compliance Officer
Builds and oversees the programs that keep an organization inside its regulatory obligations. - Healthcare Privacy Officer
Manages patient data protection and privacy compliance across clinical operations. - Tax and Regulatory Analyst
Interprets tax and financial regulation and translates it into operational practice.
- Human Resources Director
Applies employment law to hiring, workplace investigations, and policy. - Fiduciary and Trust Administrator
Administers trusts and estates alongside attorneys and financial advisors. - Risk Manager
Identifies legal and regulatory exposure and recommends controls.
Faculty Perspectives
“The MSL is a great opportunity for professionals to expand their knowledge of the legal and regulatory frameworks that impact their work. My Wills and Trusts course explores estate planning tools and the legal logic behind them—crucial knowledge for financial advisors, trust officers, and anyone planning for future generations.”
—Danaya Wright,
T. Terrell Sessums and Gerald Sohn Professor in Constitutional Law
Professor of Law
“The MSL at UF Law empowers professionals to understand and navigate the legal rules shaping their industries. This knowledge enhances how they interact with clients, colleagues, and regulators—while also supporting stronger personal and professional decision-making.”
—Charlene Luke,
Hubert C. Hurst Eminent Scholar Chair in Law;
Professor of Law
“It is essential for non-lawyers working in healthcare to understand compliance because it directly impacts patient safety, data privacy, and organizational integrity. A strong foundation in legal principles helps ensure accountability and minimizes risk.”
—Rebecca Ramirez, Adjunct Professor
“Welcome to the Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Our MSL program is designed for working professionals from a wide range of industries who want to develop a deeper understanding of the law without becoming practicing attorneys. Whether your interests are in compliance, employment and HR, cybersecurity and privacy, business, taxation, healthcare, education, real estate, wealth management, or another area where legal knowledge is increasingly valuable, our flexible curriculum provides the legal foundation to help you advance your career and become a more confident leader.
For more than two decades, I have worked with legal master’s programs and have had the privilege of helping shape and grow legal master’s education nationally. I currently serve on the Steering Committee of the Legal Masters Association and as Co-Chair of Programming for the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) legal master’s section. These experiences allow me to bring national perspectives and best practices to our students and our program.
I am committed to creating an engaging, supportive learning environment where professionals can gain practical legal knowledge that immediately enhances their work. I look forward to welcoming you to the UF Law MSL community and supporting your academic and professional success.”
—Jennifer McIntyre, Assistant Dean for Online and Graduate Programs and Students
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree is a graduate program for non-lawyers and does not qualify graduates to sit for the bar examination or to practice law.
Meet the Team
Carlens Clervoyant
Program Manager for Online and Graduate Programs and Students
clervoyant@law.ufl.edu
MSL Program Office
msl@law.ufl.edu
(352) 273-0818