Fashion Law

Students seeking the MSL in Fashion Law gain legal knowledge important to their careers in an industry that is both New York–centric and global.

They explore key topics including the following:

  • Intellectual property protection
  • Ethics of innovation
  • Growing a global brand
  • Licensing
  • Employment
  • Worker and consumer safety
  • Modeling
  • Retail
  • Real estate
  • Contracts
  • Gender normativity
  • Environmental sustainability
  • International economic development
  • Wearable technology

Most of all, they develop skills that ensure they can excel as fashion industry professionals who are able to make timely decisions and operate successfully on a daily basis within an international network of laws and regulations.

Credit Hours

Each student is required to complete a minimum of 30 credits of approved courses. Full-time students may take 12-18 credits per semester, 14-17 credits per semester is recommended; part-time students may take 2-11 credits per semester.

Required Courses

The 30-credit minimum must include the following required courses:

  • Introduction to the U.S. Legal System (1 credit)*
  • U.S. Law and Legal Institutions (1 credit)*
  • Fashion Law (3 credits)**
  • Capstone/Thesis (3 credits; final semester)

In addition, at least 4 of the following courses must be taken:

  • Fashion Ethics, Sustainability, and Development (2 or 3 credits)
  • Fashion Law and Finance (2 credits)
  • Fashion Licensing (2 credits)
  • Fashion Modeling Law (2 or 3 credits)
  • Fashion Retail Law (2 credits)
  • Fashion Law Practicum (3 credits) (NOTE: limited enrollment)

*Must be taken in the first semester of study.

**Students who completed the Fashion Law Institute's Fashion Law Bootcamp summer intensive program are exempt from the Fashion Law course requirement.

Elective Courses

Remaining credits may be chosen from the regular law school curriculum, as indicated on the class schedule(s) posted on the Registrar's webpage.  Students should seek advising in choosing courses.