McGeorge School of Law has been ranked #1 in the nation for Government Law by preLaw Magazine. This recognition highlights McGeorge’s commitment to excellence in public policy education and its strategic location in Sacramento, offering students unparalleled opportunities to influence state legislation and policy.
The legal profession has a reputation for being slow-moving;litigation or other proceedings across different areas of law may take months or even years. The enactment of change within regulations can take decades when people need to lobby and fight to dismantle ineffective precedents. Law is also a profession known for resisting operational change. Even when it comes to getting your legal education – a chapter culminating in needing bar passage in order to enter the practice of law – the process has not changed in many years.
A common school of thought is that to work in the legal field, you have to be a lawyer. This is far from the case (pun intended). Plenty of people – including lobbyists and even politicians, who help make laws – are not attorneys. You can work within your legal system as long as you understand it.
For those looking to use the law to increase environmental protections, McGeorge School of Law has two specialized program options. Both our LLM and MSL degrees in water and environmental law give our students the skill set to shape the future of environmental advocacy and policy.
Law books aren’t everything. Practical legal training prepares you for your career, and McGeorge School of Law’s program focuses on giving those skills to our students. Contact us today.
When deciding on what school to attend, there are many factors to consider, including the program, the location, its network, and its flexibility. You should also think about how the school can benefit your legal education and your future career.
The online MSL degrees in Government Law and Policy and Water and Environmental Law are programs for working professionals who would like to enhance their career with an advanced legal degree but who do not want to practice law.
In California, over one million people do not have access to safe, affordable, and reliable drinking water. Many small water systems and domestic wells are unable to meet safety standards under federal and state drinking water laws, and this problem disproportionately affects Latino, rural, and low-income communities. Two-thirds of the communities that suffer from drinking water insecurity or entire lack of drinking water are disadvantaged communities that have an annual median household income less than 80% of the statewide annual median. In many of these communities, the taps run dry, and where water runs, the water is toxic. Additionally, some California residents spend more than five times the affordable rate for water.
Lawmaking doesn’t stop during a pandemic. In fact, the work of lawmakers and lobbyists becomes, in many ways, more pressing than ever. With governments and their citizens facing the new challenge of life in a pandemic, lawmakers must find ways to continue serving their constituents. Also, lobbyists must continue to represent their causes and ideals.
Chris Micheli, adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law and a principal with the Sacramento government relations firm of Aprea & Micheli, is continuing to lobby and engage with the legal processes of the California State Legislature throughout the pandemic. His experience informs his teaching at the McGeorge Capital Center for Law and the online Master of Science in Law (MSL) in Government Law & Policy program.
Alexandra Rodriguez shares how McGeorge’s online MSL in Government Law and Policy helped shape her path from pre-law graduate to a career in law enforcement and public service, proving that meaningful justice-focused work does not require a JD.
Professor Nicolas Heidorn brings real-world experience in elections, ethics, and public policy into the classroom, helping McGeorge students understand how law shapes democratic governance and preparing them for leadership roles in public service.
McGeorge’s graduate programs empower professionals to strengthen legal knowledge, expand career opportunities, and develop practical skills across law and policy. With flexible online and hybrid formats supported by expert faculty and a strong alumni community, students gain the tools to lead and advance in their fields.
In an era of growing concern over patient privacy and regulatory compliance, understanding how to protect patient information is essential for anyone working in healthcare. This guide explores the legal frameworks surrounding HIPAA compliance and patient data protection, offering insight for health law students and professionals. Discover how McGeorge School of Law’s MSL in Health prepares graduates to lead in healthcare compliance and privacy.
McGeorge School of Law offers five specialized MSL concentrations designed for professionals seeking to deepen their legal knowledge without becoming attorneys. Whether you’re interested in business, health, government, environmental, or human resources law, McGeorge’s flexible programs help you align your education with your career goals.
Explore how the fully online MSL in Business Law from McGeorge School of Law equips professionals with essential legal skills in contracts, compliance, and risk management—without the need for a JD. This flexible program empowers career growth across industries by bridging the gap between law and business.
In a powerful webinar hosted by McGeorge School of Law, leaders of the Transformational Change Partnership showcased how students are leading real systems reform in California. From hands-on fellowships to cross-sector collaboration, this recap reveals how TCP bridges classroom learning with meaningful public impact.
In today’s complex business world, legal knowledge is a competitive edge. McGeorge School of Law’s fully online MSL in Business Law empowers professionals to lead, mitigate risk, and advance their careers—without becoming attorneys.
Explore government law careers with a Master of Studies in Law. The McGeorge MSL program offers a flexible, online path for professionals to build legal and policy expertise—preparing them for impactful roles in law, regulation, and public service without the need for a JD.
McGeorge’s MPA and MPP programs put you at the center of public service learning in Sacramento. With hybrid classes, hands-on policy work, and access to government leaders, you’ll build the skills to drive change from day one.