Cornell University

Academic Degree Requirements – Additional Programs

Master of Science in Legal Studies

Candidates for the Master of Science in Legal Studies (M.S.L.S.) degree must satisfactorily complete 30 credits of work of part-time study. All M.S.L.S. students are required to enroll in: 5 foundational online courses totaling 12 credits, elective courses totaling 13.5 credits, and completion of a capstone project totaling 4.5 credits. More information on required courses and faculty can be found here.

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.

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.

Any applications received after the first 7 weeks of the MSLS program will not be considered for advanced standing.

Students must apply for advanced standing upon admission to the program. 

Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship

Candidates for the Master of Laws degree in Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (Tech LL.M.) must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 33 credits of work over two semesters at the Cornell Tech campus. The program contains 25 credits of requirements, including several foundational technology law courses, introductions to business and programming fundamentals, and Cornell Tech’s cross-disciplinary Studio program. Students also must complete 8 credits of electives distributed across various categories.

Candidates who timely applied for and were admitted to the three-semester Tech LL.M. Program must additionally complete at least 12 credits of further legal study among specified courses offered at the Cornell Law School campus in Ithaca, and which must include a professional responsibility course, a legal research course, and foundational subjects covered by the New York Bar Exam.

Doctor of the Science of Law

The minimum residency for the Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) degree is two semesters, although the program usually requires four to six semesters to complete. Additional degree program expectations are outlined in the J.S.D. Field of Law Handbook.