Online Master of Legal Studies
An Affordable, Flexible and Interactive MLS Degree
Program Overview
Businesses and organizations in Chicago and all over the world are beginning to notice how beneficial it is to have professionals with a working knowledge of the law, even if they don't practice law. The right Master of Legal Studies (MLS) online program gives students the tools and experience to effectively communicate and strategize around litigation risk management, transactional law and compliance with law and regulations, while showing them how to customize these techniques to fit their unique field and role.
At DePaul College of Law, we’ve crafted a Master of Legal Studies program that incorporates simulation-based assignments and collaboration opportunities in an online format. These components prepare students to confidently influence legal decisions at their workplace and effectively engage with complex legal issues within 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. We welcome professionals of any background, who have a bachelor’s degree in any area and who want to add career-changing legal skills without earning a JD or becoming an attorney.
Download BrochureTuition Summary
Total Credits
30
Cost Per Credit
$1,296
Total Program Tuition
$38,880
Professional Experience Waiver
DePaul uniquely offers a professional experience waiver of up to 6 credits for students with recent, relevant work experience.
Total credits, with full waiver
24
Total tuition, with full waiver
$31,104
Next Start Date
January 10, 2027
Final Application Deadline
November 9, 2026
Our Program at a Glance
- Reduce credit hour requirements and save on tuition with a professional experience waiver.
- 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.
Request Information
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 enrollment specialist directly by calling (872) 253-5503.
“We take seriously that if we admit someone into one of our programs in the College of Law, we know they’ll be able to succeed. We ensure students have the help they need to graduate with the skill level to be successful as legal professionals.”
Essential Legal Knowledge for Non-Lawyers: Your Path to Mastery
Taught by accomplished Chicago legal scholars and practitioners, our curriculum brings real-world practice into the virtual classroom, making legal theory tangible, relatable, and directly applicable to your career. All students begin with core courses that provide a strong foundation in essential legal principles and skills. Some of these courses include:
- Introduction to Legal Research and Writing
- Regulatory Compliance
- Communication and Negotiation
- Organizational Management and the Law
Our coursework includes opportunities for peer engagement through Socratic discussions and group projects, fostering a valuable network of legal professionals for continued collaboration beyond the program.
In our online Master of Legal Studies program, students can specialize their degree by choosing one of the following concentration options:
These concentrations offer deeper knowledge in specific fields of law, allowing students to tailor their education to match their career goals and interests.
Learn more about our concentration options and featured courses on our curriculum page.
Connected to Chicago’s Legal Center
As an online MLS student, you join a powerful network of over 16,000 DePaul legal alumni leading businesses, regulatory bodies, and firms across Chicago and nationwide.
Beyond Theory: Bridging Legal Expertise with Real-World Application
"DePaul is a law school devoted to academics and application. Here the goal is not simply to teach theory or doctrine, but to make it tangible, relatable, and connected to your work."
What is a Master of Legal Studies degree?
A Master of Legal Studies degree program is an in-depth legal education designed for non-lawyers who have an undergraduate degree but do not necessarily have previous law education or experience. It is designed to help professionals in regulated fields enhance their careers by acquiring relevant expertise and practical knowledge of the law.
Many MLS students are professionals who work closely with legal advisors or need a strong understanding of laws and regulations. For example, they might be:
- HR specialists ensuring compliance with labor laws
- Health care administrators navigating patient rights and health care regulations
- Public policy analysts utilizing legal research and negotiation to advocate for stronger policies
Learn about potential MLS career outcomes.
The DePaul Difference: Online MLS Student Spotlight
When Nicholas Seidel began the online Master of Legal Studies degree at DePaul College of Law, he knew he had found the right program.
"The experience has been overwhelmingly good. I'm using the material that I'm actually learning. My skills in legal research and writing have improved dramatically. My ability to communicate [...] is ten times better now than it was before. My general understanding of legal concepts is much better than it was. It's been a very good experience."
Watch Nicholas’ student spotlight to learn more about his experience in DePaul law’s online Master of Legal Studies, including how the program compares to other online learning experiences and what advice he would give to potential MLS students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is a part-time program designed for working professionals. As a part-time student, the program takes approximately two and a half years to complete. With the professional experience waiver, it can be completed in two years.
Our professional experience waiver allows students with applicable work experience to waive up to 6 credit hours from their online MLS degree requirements. To qualify, students must submit a résumé and a short statement that details at least 12 months of professional experience in a relevant field.
While most students apply for this waiver after admission, you can also submit a request during the application process or even after you start classes at DePaul. You will usually learn whether you’ve qualified within two weeks.
If you’re not sure whether you qualify for the waiver, we encourage you to speak to an enrollment specialist.
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 legal careers and careers that require legal knowledge, including:
To help you get a sense of common graduate pathways, we provide this overview of the differences between three types of graduate law degrees. Please note that specific details, offerings and structures vary across different institutions and programs.
| Program: | Master of Legal Studies (MLS) | Master of Laws (LLM) | Juris Doctor (JD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Designed for non-lawyers who want an in-depth understanding of the law. | The LLM is an advanced, academic degree in law that is usually pursued after a JD or the international equivalent. | The JD is the primary professional degree for aspiring lawyers in the United States. It is required to take the bar in most U.S. jurisdictions. |
| Students | Professionals from a wide range of fields (e.g., business, health care, human resources, cybersecurity) who engage with legal matters or counsel in their roles but do not intend to become practicing attorneys. | Lawyers who either already have a JD and wish to gain expertise in a specific area—such as tax law, business law or human rights law—or international lawyers who are interested in practicing in the United States. | Individuals aiming to practice law, pass the bar exam and represent clients in legal matters. |
| Curriculum | Provides an overview of the U.S. legal system as well as introduction to practices such as legal research and negotiation. These programs often include specialized tracks to align legal knowledge with specific industries or domains. | Focuses on specific areas of law, providing advanced training beyond a JD program. May be research-intensive or include comparative legal studies. | Covers a broad range of legal topics, including contracts, torts and civil procedure, among others. It prepares students to pass the bar exam and practice law. |
To help you get a sense of common graduate pathways, we provide this overview of the differences between three types of graduate law degrees. Please note that specific details, offerings and structures vary across different institutions and programs.
- Aiming to pivot into a law-related career
- Aspiring to advance within their organization
- Considering law school
Philippe Weiss, adjunct professor at DePaul College of Law highlights that choosing between a Master of Legal Studies, law degree or a paralegal degree comes down to the kind of role you want to play later in your professional career. If you want to be on the operational side or on the management side of an organization or agency, then an MLS degree can be enormously valuable.
Visit our FAQ page for more answers to commonly asked questions, such as program details, how to apply to the online MLS and more. You can also call (872) 253-5503 to get in touch with our admissions advisors.
