Experiential Network

Experiential Learning and the Master of Legal Studies

The Experiential Network (XN) is an initiative built to ensure experiential learning opportunities for graduate and professional studies students and to further enhance Northeastern’s position as the global leader in experiential learning for all students.

Participation in XN projects allows you to practice and grow your professional networks while contributing to a real-world organization’s ability to move forward on project-based work and connect with rising professional talent. XN projects give online MLS students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to real world practice by working with different sponsors on a wide array of projects in real-world workplaces. Through execution of six-week virtual projects, you are able to apply what you’ve learned in class in a real-world context, gain valuable experience to enhance your resumé, gain confidence and build your professional networks.

Along with the XN project, you will be enrolled in a non-credit, instructor-facilitated online course to help coach and mentor you through this real-world project experience. You will receive faculty direction, professional development, coaching and mentoring, and feedback to help ensure a satisfactory experience for you and your sponsors.

Potential MLS Student Projects

• Researching legal issues for a healthcare organization
• Performing an analysis of the regulatory environment for a financial services company
• Evaluating an organization’s compliance strategy for workplace anti-discrimination laws

Example of Past XN Projects

Company: AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an American pharmaceutical company
Project: Contract review and drafting assignment

Company: Future for Farato, a Boston-based NGO whose mission is focused in the West-African nation of Gambia
Project: Legal and policy advice memo

Company: Change Healthcare Holdings, a company that advises healthcare providers on the efficiency of their delivery systems
Project: Improving internal processes

Eligibility

Once you are enrolled in your second year of the MLS program, you will be able to participate in the Experiential Network opportunity. You must submit a completed application for participating in your desired program term. You are required to submit a resumé, several short answers and an introductory video. Contact Student Success Manager Justin Wright (ju.wright@neu.edu) with any questions about the Experiential Network application process.