Masters Degrees in Law, USA

Prepare to become one of tomorrow's legal innovators in a rapidly changing world.

Immigration. Copyright. Public Policy.

All facets of our life—both domestically and globally—are impacted and shaped by the various aspects of law. Learn how to become one of tomorrow's legal innovators in a rapidly changing and globalized world by taking courses in our Legal Studies major.

Join an elite cohort of students learning in a dynamic, experiential environment. You'll learn from professors who not only bring their years of experience to the classroom, but who also love to teach law. Study alongside U.S. undergraduate students who are also preparing for advanced studies in law. This unique program provides rich opportunities to study with domestic students and experience Northern California's diverse Bay Area culture.

The core curriculum focuses on U.S. law, entrepreneurship and legal change. Learn more about sample courses.

CURRICULUM

During your semester-long stay with us, you'll take two 4-unit Core Courses, a 4-unit elective from our general Legal Studies curriculum and a 1-unit course that introduces you to UC Berkeley and prepares you to be a successful student.

The Core Courses introduce you to the fundamentals of U.S. law, entrepreneurship and legal change.

Specialize your learning with an elective in business law, constitutional law, criminal law, immigration law, intellectual property law or international law. By taking an elective, you'll explore the broad impact of legal ideas and institutions through the lens of economics, history, philosophy, politics, psychology or sociology.

In each of your courses, you'll learn alongside domestic students, creating rich and vibrant conversations as you discuss each topic.

CORE COURSES

• AMERICAN LAW AND LEGAL INSTITUTIONS
• LAW, TECHNOLOGY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
• HOW TO BERKELEY

ELECTIVES

• FOUNDATIONS OF LEGAL STUDIES
• THEORIES OF LAW AND SOCIETY
• U.S. SUPREME COURT AND PUBLIC POLICY
• PUNISHMENT, CULTURE AND SOCIETY
• AMERICAN LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY
• PSYCHOLOGY OF DIVERSITY AND DISCRIMINATION IN AMERICAN LAW
• IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
• LAW AND ECONOMICS II: GOVERNMENT AND REGULATION
• INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
• COMPARATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: THE CASE OF ISRAEL
• DEMOCRACY AND DIVERSITY
• DATA PREDICTION AND LAW
• GANDHI, LAW AND CIVIL RIGHTS
• BASIC LEGAL VALUES
• COMPARATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

* Courses subject to change.

THAT'S BERKELEY

Imagine yourself living in Berkeley, California, and learning from some of the most preeminent legal minds in the world.

You'll be spending a lot of time inside the classroom learning exciting new subjects and outside of the classroom studying. But we want to make sure that you have time to experience Berkeley and San Francisco Bay Area life to its fullest. Take advantage of various co-curricular activities for a fully immersive learning experience on the Berkeley campus.

Take part in activities such as:

• Graduate school admission workshops
• Cohort lunches
• Immersive California trips
• Visits from Bay Area and national private law firms and public-interest law organizations
• Networking events hosted by Berkeley Pre-Law Society
• Career-advising programs

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As the world's cities continue to grow, USF's dual JD/MA in Urban and Public Affairs Program will equip you with the skills and knowledge to be an effective lawyer and leader in 21st century urban and public policy challenges.

With a Master of Arts in Urban and Public Affairs from the USF College of Arts and Sciences and a Juris Doctor from the USF School of Law, graduates are uniquely prepared to be effective and ethical leaders in urban and public policy and community organizing. This four-year program is designed to prepare law school graduates with the knowledge and hands-on experience of applied urban research and community engagement and organizing. A comprehensive background in urban history, political dynamics, and sociology is combined with tools for community-based research, policy design, policy analysis, and implementation.

The dual degree program leverages the advantages of USF’s location in one of the most dynamic urban environments in the United States. It provides students with the opportunity to build their legal and research careers through immersion experiences in San Francisco and other Bay Area cities.

The dual degree program provides a cost and time savings of more than a year. Students may begin their course of study in either program.

Curriculum

To receive the JD/MUPA dual degrees, students must earn at least 84 law units (including 42 units in required core law courses) plus 36 MUPA units. MUPA units equal 9 units in required MUPA core courses plus 15 units in elective MUPA courses (including 3 units of law externship or legal clinic and 3 units of law upper level research and writing) plus 12 units from approved law school electives).

Please see the website for further details:

https://www.usfca.edu/law/jd/mupa

San Francisco Advantage

Our program is uniquely situated at the center of San Francisco Bay Area politics. The Bay Area is well known nationally for pioneering policy measures on environmental issues, gay rights, housing policy, and many other urgent social justice concerns. Students engage in the vibrant living classroom of the region, developing practical research and policy development skills.

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