Contacts

Director:  Leslie Oster
Director, Learning Design & Curriculum Development:  Alyssa Dyar 
Director, Academic Advising & Resources:  Jeremy Adler
Program Office:  msl@northwestern.edu

Program Overview

The MSL curriculum centers on the intersection of law, business, and technology, with specific focus areas in business law and entrepreneurship, intellectual property and patent design, and regulatory analysis and strategy. Courses are designed specifically for MSL students, and students have the flexibility to design course plans that fit their particular interests and professional goals.

Enrollment Options

The MSL degree is offered in two formats:

Program of Study

The MSL curriculum includes a set of required, foundational classes and a rich collection of electives. Electives fall into three subject areas: intellectual property and patent design; business law and entrepreneurship; and regulatory analysis and strategy. Many students select classes across the three areas of study, while some focus on one particular area. 

Students must complete at least 28 credits for the MSL degree.  Required courses provide students with a foundational understanding of the legal system, the basic structure of business, and the regulatory process. These courses impart a theoretical framework on which students can build with the elective part of the curriculum.

Degree Requirements:

Elective Course Categories

IP and Patent Design (INTPROP)

In these courses, students learn about patenting inventions, managing a patent portfolio, assessing patent eligibility, preparing and prosecuting patent, serving as an expert witness on patent/IP subjects, and addressing global intellectual property issues. 

Business Law and Entrepreneurship (BUSCOM and LAWSTUDY)

In these courses, students learn about the legal aspects of business formations and transactions and are exposed to subjects including mergers and acquisitions, employment law, business strategy, venture capital, and antitrust. Courses also focus on business and entrepreneurship skills, including negotiations, communications, decision-making, leadership, and quantitative skills. Various aspects of the commercialization process – the issues and opportunities involved in bringing an idea from conception to market – are also addressed.

Regulatory Analysis and Strategy (REGLAW)

Classes in this area examine the process and structure of regulation, both in the U.S. and globally. Students learn to think strategically about regulatory processes and compliance and how to navigate the regulatory environment. Classes focus on a variety of specific regulatory topics: data security, food, environment, health, privacy, telecommunications, and universities.

MSL Residential Format

MSL Online Format

MSL Courses

The following courses are only open to students in the Master of Science in Law program.  Please note while every effort is made to ensure these lists are accurate, change is inevitable.  Not all courses are offered each year and may not be offered in both residential and online formats.  For specific program information, including a list of required courses, please refer to the Master of Science in Law degree requirements section.