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Online Master of Legal Studies

An Affordable, Flexible and Interactive MLS Degree

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Businesses and organizations all over the world are beginning to notice how beneficial it is to have professionals with an understanding of the law, even if they aren’t practicing lawyers. The right Master of Legal Studies program gives students the tools and experience to effectively communicate and strategize around litigation risk, transactional law and compliance.

At DePaul College of Law, we’ve crafted an online Master of Legal Studies that incorporates simulation-based assignments and collaboration opportunities that prepare students to confidently influence legal decisions at their workplace and effectively engage with complex legal issues that affect their industry. Our MLS degree stands out thanks to our commitment to student success through affordability, flexibility and hands-on learning taught by some of the nation’s leading legal scholars and accomplished legal practitioners.

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Tuition Summary

Total Credits

30*

Cost Per Credit

$1,186

Total Program Tuition

$35,580*

*DePaul uniquely offers a professional experience waiver of up to 6 credits for students with relevant and recent work experience. Total program tuition with the full professional experience waiver is $28,464.

Our Program at a Glance

  • Apply your professional experience for course credit.
  • Work through a blend of asynchronous and synchronous coursework that couples flexibility with hands-on application.
  • Learn at a top law school in the nation according to the Princeton Review.
  • Advance your skill level to support your career goals with three concentration options.
  • Complete your coursework entirely online in two and a half years or less.

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To learn more about the online Master of Legal Studies at DePaul College of Law and download a brochure, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an admissions advisor directly by calling (800) 542-8539.







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“We aim to meet students where they are and to address their particular interests. We tailor our online MLS program to give students a foundational understanding of the U.S. legal system as well as specialized knowledge of specific areas of legal compliance and regulation.”

A Specialized Legal Studies Degree With Coursework Designed for Working Professionals

In our MLS program, students begin with core courses where they learn about topics including legal research and writing, regulatory compliance, negotiation and communication and organizational management. Through the selection of one of our three concentration options, students can then specialize their legal studies degree in their specific area of interest. Choose from our concentrations in:

  • Business Law
  • Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Law
  • General Legal Studies

Our collaborative coursework also gives professionals the chance to engage with their peers through Socratic discussions and group projects. These synchronous components help students grow a lasting network of legal professionals that they can continue to consult even after they leave the program.

Learn more about our concentration options on our curriculum page.

A Specialized Legal Studies Degree

Next Start Date

August 21, 2023

Priority Application Deadline

June 1, 2023*

Final Application Deadline

August 15, 2023

*Please note students are encouraged to complete their applications by the priority deadline to ensure they are considered in a timely manner before spots in the program are filled.

Frequently Asked Questions

An MLS degree is an in-depth legal education designed for non-lawyers with an undergraduate degree. It allows students to specialize their training and advance their careers. Many MLS students are professionals who work closely with legal advisors or work in highly regulated fields.

As stated above, an MLS program is designed for professionals with a bachelor’s degree in any field who may not want to attend law school, but want to expand their legal knowledge. Contrastingly, a JD degree prepares aspiring lawyers to sit for the bar examination and practice law in any state.

An LLM helps individuals who already hold a JD or similar law degree advance their careers by enabling them to delve deeper into specific law topics that match their interests. It also gives international lawyers the opportunity to earn a degree that allows them to take the bar exam in some states.

Our professional experience waiver offers working professionals a chance to waive up to 6 credit hours of their MLS degree with applicable work experience. Learn more about our professional experience waiver by visiting our admissions page, and find out if you qualify by speaking to one of our admissions advisors.

As the modern workplace continues to evolve with technology and new regulation and compliance practices expand, an extensive legal education can increase your marketability to potential employers and act as an effective job retention and growth strategy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, legal occupations are projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.

Earn your online Master of Legal Studies to advance in your current role, or open yourself to a variety of MLS careers, including:

  • Chief information security officer
  • Compliance manager
  • Contracts manager
  • Data protection officer
  • Entrepreneur or corporate manager
  • Human resources manager
  • Mediator
  • Risk and quality assurance manager

Visit our FAQ page for more answers.

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