Applications Now Being Accepted for New Master of Studies in Animal Law Degree
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The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) at Lewis & Clark Law School is now welcoming applications for its newly launched Master of Studies (MSL) in Animal Law. The MSL is designed to equip non-lawyers with a foundational background in animal law and is the first of its kind in the U.S.
For years, CALS has stood at the forefront of expanding access to animal law education: first with its advanced law degree, the Master of Laws (LLM) in Animal Law in 2012, and then with the launch of its part-time, online Animal Law LLM in 2021. Now, CALS is building upon that rich history of leadership in the field of animal law with an advanced degree option for non-lawyers.
Designed for both U.S. and international students with a Bachelor’s degree, the Animal Law MSL will be offered both in-person on the Lewis & Clark Law School campus in Portland, Oregon and via a fully asynchronous online format to bring this unique degree to those with additional access needs. CALS is now accepting applications for admission for its inaugural Fall 2022 cohort. All applicants are automatically considered for scholarship support.
The Animal Law MSL encompasses 27 credits and is designed for non-lawyers who want to focus on animal law in advocacy, academia, research, public policy, and more. The program is taught by renowned animal law scholars and practitioners and provides diverse and robust course offerings.
Pamela Hart, Assistant Dean and Executive Director of CALS, says, “We are thrilled to provide this pathway for non-lawyers to join the next generation of animal law advocates. By expanding our advanced degree offerings to include non-lawyers, we are broadening the types of advocates who will create a better and more compassionate future for animals around the world. Having the MSL available both in-person and online also makes it more accessible to a diverse student body. We are looking forward to our MSL alumni driving change for animals across the globe as our talented LLM alumni have been doing successfully for years.”
Candidates pursuing the Animal Law MSL degree can expect a world-class learning experience and access to many of the same courses taught in residence by CALS faculty, as well as by prominent scholars and practitioners. Students can look forward to a curriculum that features:
- Introduction to U.S. Legal Studies
- Animals in the Law
- Industrial Animal Agriculture Law
- Emerging Topics in Animal Law
- Companion Animal Law
- Crimes Against Animals
- International Animal Law
- Aquatic Animal Law
- The Law & Ethics of Animal Testing
- Global Wild Animal Law
Students studying in our part-time, online MSL program will enjoy a state-of-the-art online learning platform supported by industry leader Carolina Academic Press. More information about the Animal Law MSL, including how to apply, is available here. More information about the online LLM and MSL is available here.
The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) was founded in 2008 with a mission to educate the next generation of animal law advocates and advance animal protection through the law. With vision and bold risk-taking, CALS has since developed into a world-renowned animal law epicenter, with the most comprehensive animal law curriculum offered anywhere. CALS is the only program that offers Animal Law LLM and MSL degrees—offered both in-person and online—as well as three specialty animal law clinics. CALS is a nonprofit organization and is only able to provide these educational opportunities through donations and grants.
