Master of Science in Law, Government Law and Policy

Master of Science in Law, Government Law and Policy​

Gain Legal Expertise with an MSL in Government Law

The online Master of Science in Law (MSL) in Government Law & Policy is designed for local, state, and federal agency employees, lobbyists, legislative staff, and recent graduates, to enhance their skills in lawmaking, regulation, election law, and lobbying. 

This fully online program, rooted in McGeorge’s nationally-ranked public law program, offers practical training and expertise taught by experienced faculty. Courses focus on real-world knowledge and the development of practical skills in government law and policy, translating to in-demand skills. 

We recommend the MSL anyone whose career aspirations do not require a traditional law degree, but would benefit from professional, thorough legal knowledge.

Course Details

  • McGeorge’s online MSL in Government Law & Policy, has been carefully curated by dedicated faculty for your success. Students gain essential professional skills in a supportive learning environment. 
  • The part-time, fully online, asynchronous courses feature state-of-the-art online learning practices, featuring discussion boards, interactive assignments, and more. 
  •  26 units over approximately two years
  • Typical enrollment: two 3-unit courses each semester
  • Fall/ spring semesters are 15 weeks long. Summer courses run on a four-week semester. Semester lengths vary, with an option for an on-campus weekend at McGeorge
  • One hour per week interaction with students and professors, and an additional two hours per week per course unit.
  • Flexible scheduling accommodates other commitments. Optional live sessions for some courses.

The MSL in Government Law & Policy comprises both required and elective courses.

Below is a sample course schedule:

First Semester Second Semester Third Semester Fourth Semester Summer Session

Intro to Legal Analysis (2)

The Executive Branch & Administrative State (3)

Government Law & Policymaking (3)

Elective (3)

Leadership in Organizations* (1)

Contracts/Analytical Skills (4)

Legislatures & Lawmaking (3)

Elective (3)
Elective (3)

Persuasive Public Speaking* (1)

6 Units
6 Units
6 Units
6 Units
2 Units

26 Units Total

*only offered in summer 

Required Courses

This course provides students with an overview of the American legal system, including the sources and development of law as well as the dispute resolution process. The course further focuses on developing an understanding of how lawyers read and analyze cases, statutes, and legal documents and provides an introduction to legal reasoning. A primer on legal research with a focus on locating and evaluating the weight of legal sources is also included.

Analytical Skills (Contracts)

This graduate course offers a practical introduction to a foundational area of law, such as contracts, and to the legal method. Students learn best practices for studying law and developing foundational legal analytical skills so that they can read and understand case law, statutes, and regulations. These analytical skills include IRAC rule-based methodology as a structure for legal analysis, case-briefing, outlining, and test-taking. Students also practice negotiating and drafting agreements.

Legislatures & Lawmaking

This online asynchronous course explores legislative institutions and lawmaking processes in state and federal government as well as basic principles of judicial review of legislative action. The course provides opportunities for development of practical skills such as drafting statutory language, preparing and assessing bill analyses, commenting on legislation, and participating in the legislative process.

The Executive Branch & The Administrative State

This online course explores regulatory institutions and processes at the state and federal levels, with a focus on the relationship between the executive branch, the legislature, and the courts. The course provides opportunities for development of practical skills such as drafting regulations and participating in the regulatory process, including commenting on agency action and responding to comments. Focus is given to understanding the role of policy and methods for marshalling and assessing technical information.

Government Law & Policymaking

This online asynchronous course introduces students to the lawyer’s role in developing, modifying, implementing, advocating, and influencing public policy, including: legislation, regulations, executive orders, court orders, and other policy edicts at the national, state, and local levels. Students learn how to do policy analysis; learn the essential organization and procedures of the various policymaking venues; are able to consider and weigh strategic implications associated with the various venues and processes; conduct research using a variety of sources unique to policymaking in other federal and state settings; learn and develop skills for advocacy, negotiation and compromise in a policymaking setting; and practice applying course knowledge and skills to important public policy matters of the day. Students complete a project on an actual and current public policy problem.

Leadership in Organizations

This online asynchronous course explores skills necessary for professional competency and excellence in twenty-first century organizations. Working in and with public agencies is emphasized. Topics covered may include teams in organizations, cross-cultural dynamics, professional work product and communications, and professional ethics. Focus is given to case studies and practical exercises.

Persuasive Public Speaking

This online course introduces students to the many aspects of persuasive public speaking, including content, word choice, and delivery. Students study the theory of persuasion through reference to historical and social science sources. Students develop public speaking confidence by practicing their skills and receiving constructive feedback. This course is substantially asynchronous; students meet synchronously online for 12.5 hours over five days, specific dates/times in syllabus.

Elective Courses

Election Law

This online asynchronous course will cover the main doctrinal concepts that are necessary to the practice of election law, as well as offer practical assignments common in the day to day practice of political law attorneys. Coverage includes constitutional law and principles, campaign finance law, election administration, and the Voting Rights Act, among other topics.

Lobbying & Politics

This course explores how power and influence operate in state legislatures. The first part of the course examines the processes and pressures a legislator typically encounters prior to casting a vote in the Legislature, including campaigns for local and state office,; fundraising, the influence of political parties and partisan leadership, grassroots supporters, and local-based interests. The second part of the course develops theories of legislative persuasion, including a blend of traditional advocacy skills and political strategy.

Negotiations

This course examines the theoretical, ethical, and practical skills essential to being an effective advocate in negotiations involving legal disputes. Students learn negotiation skills through lecture, discussion, video simulations, and extensive interactive exercises and role-plays. Students are introduced to negotiation tools and techniques that enhance negotiation success. This course helps students identify strengths and weaknesses in personal negotiating style. This course is primarily asynchronous; students negotiate synchronously online several times during the semester, details in syllabus.

Environmental Law

This course is a survey of legal principles and policies relating to protection and enhancement of the physical environment. Particular attention is given to common law doctrines and public rights and remedies; federal and state control programs for the fields of air pollution, water pollution, noise, solid waste management, fish and wildlife resources; planning for federal, state and local administrative agencies.

Water Resources Law

This course introduces the legal principles that control water allocation for human and environmental purposes, taught via online exercises such as lectures, readings, videos, discussion and research. Legal principles covered include: categories of surface and groundwater rights, management approaches, allocation for environmental purposes, federal-state relationships, tribal and reserved rights, reasonable use, waste, and the public trust doctrine. Students gain practical understanding of water allocation and use in contemporary society, as well as critically examine the social policies that govern water management.

Water & Environmental Justice

This course will explore challenges and opportunities in meeting the goal of providing a healthy environment and safe, affordable, accessible, and reliable water supplies to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, economic status, national origin, and education level. Specific topics may include, among others, the human right to water, disparate impacts from facility siting, toxic exposure, climate justice, food security, access to nature, participation in environmental governance, and capacity building in disadvantaged communities.

International Water Resources Law

This seminar focuses on the theoretical bases and practical application of the law governing international fresh water resources. Students study the principal cases and controversies in the field and analyze the most significant global and regional instruments.

Directed Research in Government Law & Policy

This course provides the opportunity for students to engage in a comprehensive individual research project under the supervision of a full-time faculty member. The work product may take the form of a scholarly paper, empirical study, analysis of topical readings, or other creative format that demonstrates in-depth legal research and original analysis.

Master’s Thesis in Government Law & Policy

This course provides an opportunity for students to write a thesis under the guidance of a full-time faculty member acting as supervisor. The thesis should present an original idea or ideas, demonstrate mastery of research skills appropriate to the field, and be analytical and/or critical, as opposed to merely descriptive. The final product should exemplify high quality academic writing consistent with the professional goals of the student, taking into account the supervisor’s and the student’s vision of the desired target audience for the product.

Program Eligibility

A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to the MSL program. No GRE or LSAT required.

What Can I Do With an MSL Degree?

Because the law intersects with every industry in one way or another, it is very likely there is some aspect of your current role that could be enhanced with a MSL degree. Our MSL degree can also open career opportunities by allowing you to pivot your career toward the legal aspects of your field. For example, someone working in government affairs may take courses in lobbying, election law, and statutory interpretation. Individuals working with water and environmental issues may take courses in water resources law, environmental law, and water and environmental justice.

 

Through our MSL coursework, you’ll be better equipped to:

 

  • Review and understand agreements such as contracts
  • Review and draft proposed local, state, and federal laws and regulations
  • Understand and comply with regulatory requirements for specific industries
  • Work with attorneys and compliance officers

 

For more information about specific job titles and how an MSL degree can help your career, see MSL Career Outcomes.

Program Benefits
  • Enhance your potential for career advancement with specialized knowledge in government law and policy.
  • Understand the nuances of legal protocol and how lawyers think.
  • Build networks with faculty and experts as well as with other students and alumni.
  • Distinguish yourself from other professionals in the field with a unique degree and focus.
  • Increase your credibility with a publishable piece of research that, coupled with a research-focused MSL, can be a gateway to Ph.D. work.
Degree Received

Master of Science in Law, Government Law & Policy concentration

Important Dates

November

1

Application Deadline

January

13

Spring Semester Start Date

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