Join the Next Generation of Animal Advocates

Across the world, animals need advocates to protect them. The perils animals face are significant and complex, from the impacts of climate change, habitat destruction, industrial use and exploitation, and other human-caused threats to their lives and well-being.

Our advanced animal law degrees provide U.S. and international advocates with the education and credentials they need to make a real difference for animals through law, advocacy, public policy, research and more. Our Animal Law LLM is the world’s first and only advanced legal degree in animal law for lawyers, and our MSL is the first of its kind in the United States for nonlawyers.

Candidates pursuing the LLM or MSL degree can expect a world-class learning experience and access to a diverse array of animal law courses taught by CALS faculty, as well as by prominent scholars and practitioners. Examples of coursework include: Animal Law Fundamentals, Companion Animal Law, Global Wild Animal Law, Industrial Animal Agriculture Law, International Animal Law, and more. Students studying in our in-person program can participate in experiential learning opportunities, such as our innovative Farmed Animal Protection Project (available for LLM and MSL students) and our International Wildlife Law Clinic (available for LLM students).

Study is available in-person on our beautiful campus in Portland, Oregon, or fully online. Our online program is fully asynchronous so students can fit their studies around existing professional and personal commitments. Students studying in our part-time, online program will enjoy a state-of-the-art online learning platform (Canvas) supported by industry leader Carolina Academic Press.

Because CALS has relationships with animal protection organizations in the U.S. and worldwide, our students have access to networking opportunities, speaking engagements, and more. All applicants are automatically considered for scholarship support.

CALS’ Executive Director and Assistant Dean, Pamela Hart, says: “​​We are so proud of our alumni around the world who are doing innovative work to advance the legal interests of animals. With an advanced degree option now available to non-lawyers, we are excited for our alumni expanding that work to drive real change that improves the lives of animals.”

Applications for our in-person program are due by February 1, 2023; apply here for the MSL and here for the LLM. Applications for our online program are due by May 15, 2023, apply here for the online MSL or LLM.

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. CALS’ Alumni-in Action  from over 20 countries are making a difference for animals around the world. CALS is a nonprofit organization that is funded through donations and grants.