An MS in Law may stand for Master of Science in Law or Master of Studies in Law, depending on the school. These degrees are generally designed for non-lawyers who want legal knowledge connected to another professional or academic field.
The historical roots of this degree type are tied to interdisciplinary legal education. Law schools began to recognize that people in science, medicine, technology, finance, journalism, public policy, and academia often needed to understand legal institutions without becoming attorneys. Yale Law School, for example, describes its Master of Studies in Law as a program for non-lawyers who want familiarity with legal thought and the relationship between law and their own disciplines.
The purpose of an MS in Law is often broader or more interdisciplinary than some other legal master’s degrees. Instead of focusing only on workplace compliance, it may help students understand how law shapes research, policy, technology, business, media, or professional decision-making.
This degree is best for professionals whose work touches legal systems but who do not need attorney licensure. It may appeal to scientists, journalists, policy analysts, engineers, healthcare professionals, cybersecurity professionals, and academics who want to understand how law affects their field.
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American Bar Association – Non-JD and Post-JD Programs by School