When Catalina Sanchez began her legislative career in public service working at the California State Assembly, she knew that earning a graduate degree was part of her plans. What she didn’t know, though, was whether that degree would be Master of Public Administration, a Master of Public Policy, or a Master of Public Health degree.

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. 

While interning for a California State Senator, Amanda Richie, MSL ‘18, quickly realized that most of the Sacramento Capitol staff she worked with had earned advanced degrees.
Amanda, who earned her bachelor’s degree in political science, made a decision that she wanted to pursue a career in policy work. She learned about McGeorge’s Master of Science in Law in Government Law & Policy, attended an informational session, and determined the program was right for her.

Michelle Teran-Woolfork, MSL ’17, took a different career path than the one she initially had planned. She always wanted to go to law school and become an attorney. From there she planned on advocating for domestic violence survivors. Her current path still allows her to make the difference she intended on making, however, in a much different way and on behalf of many more people than she ever thought. 

When most people think of graduate-level law degrees, the Juris Doctor (JD) is the first that comes to mind. They may not consider, or even realize, the merits of Master of Science in Law (MSL) degrees and other master’s-level programs. As you chart your educational path, keep in mind that a JD isn’t the only option. While a JD is the right choice if you want to be a lawyer, a master’s degree in law can help you reach other career goals.

Just as you choose a route through town based on your destination, you can select a degree program based on where you want your career to go. While a JD is the most the only route to becoming a lawyer, other degree programs can take your career to diverse and interesting destinations.

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.

To keep supporting students during the Covid19 crisis, most graduate schools have moved their programs online. That means you have more options than ever when it comes to choosing an online Government Law and Policy program from which to earn your Master of Science in Law. 

At first glance, these programs might look similar, but not all online learning is created equal. Courses originally produced for in-person instruction don’t translate directly to the digital space. The MSL from McGeorge School of Law, on the other hand, was designed for online learning.