Here are answers to common questions about our online Master of Legal Studies program. If you’d like to have a more in-depth discussion about our program, please contact an admissions advisor at (312) 676-6453 or toll-free at (800) 542-8539.

About the Program

Admissions

Tuition and Financial Aid

About the Program

Can this program be completed part-time?

Yes, this program is part-time and designed for working professionals.

How long will the program take?

This program takes approximately two and a half years to complete. With the professional experience waiver, it can be completed in two years. The maximum amount of time allowed to complete the program is six years.

Am I required to choose a concentration?

Yes, however for students who want to mix and match their electives, we offer a general legal studies concentration.

At what point do I need to decide my concentration?

Students must choose their concentration before entering the program and will have the opportunity to change it after completing their foundational coursework.

What learning platform is used for the coursework?

Desire to Learn (D2L).

What can I do with a Master of Legal Studies degree?

There is a wide range of career opportunities with an MLS degree, such as:

  • Chief information security officer
  • Data protection officer
  • Contracts manager
  • Risk and quality assurance manager
  • Compliance manager
  • Financial or estate planner
  • Investment advisors
  • Human resources manager
  • Mediator and labor and employment negotiator

Learn more about how you can utilize an MLS to advance your career in your current role, while opening new job opportunities on our careers page.

What is the difference between an MLS, an LLM and a JD?

  • A Master of Legal Studies (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.
  • A Master of Laws (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.
  • A Juris Doctor (JD) degree prepares aspiring lawyers to sit for the bar examination and practice law in any U.S. state.

For more information, see our law degree comparison table or schedule a time to chat with one of our admissions advisors.

How many courses can I complete at a time?

Students complete two courses at a time on a part-time schedule. Required core courses will be taken first, but there is no particular order that the concentration courses must be taken in.

How many credits are needed to earn my degree?

You will need 30 credits in order to earn your degree. However, with the professional experience waiver, you can waive up to 6 credits and graduate with 24 credits. Visit the curriculum page for more information.

What is the weekly time commitment?

Given that you will enroll in 6 credit hours of classes each semester, you should expect to dedicate about 12 hours per week to coursework, but not more than that.

Admissions

How many start dates are there per year?

There are two start dates per year, in the fall and spring.

What are the requirements for admission?

In order to be admitted, students must have a bachelor’s degree in any field. Our application requirements can be found on our admissions page.

How do I know whether I’m eligible for the professional experience waiver?

Students eligible for the professional experience waiver must provide proof of at least 12 months of substantial work history in a relevant field. Be prepared to submit a résumé and a short personal statement.

If I’m not sure I qualify for the waiver, should I still apply?

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to apply anyway. Professional experiences vary from person to person, and we will evaluate your waiver request with care.

We encourage you to discuss your eligibility with an admissions advisor by calling (800) 542-8539.

When should I apply for a professional experience waiver? When will I know if it’s been granted?

You can apply for a waiver request at any point during the admissions process, though most students wait to be admitted before doing so. You can also submit a waiver request after beginning your degree. As always, you can discuss all the details with one of our admissions advisors.

Typically, you will find out whether you’ve qualified within two weeks.

Where should I send my official transcripts?

Official transcripts should be sent with the full application for the program, at gradlaw@depaul.edu. Alternatively, applications can be mailed to:
Office of Law Admissions
DePaul University College of Law
25 East Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604-2287

Are test scores required for admission?

There are no GMAT, GRE or legal test scores required for admission.

Learn more about our application requirements on our admissions page.

Can credit hours from other graduate degree programs be transferred to the MLS program?

Due to the unique nature of the MLS program, course credits earned in other graduate programs are not transferable to the DePaul MLS program.

How soon after submitting a completed file can I expect to receive an admissions decision?

After submitting your complete application, you can expect a decision by email within 5 to 10 business days.

Where do I go to start the admissions process?

You can start your application here. If you have questions or are interested in a walkthrough of the process, visit our admissions page or contact one of our admissions advisors toll-free at (800) 542-8539.

Tuition and Financial Aid

How much is the tuition for this program?

Tuition for this program is $37,740 or $30,192 with the professional experience waiver.

For a detailed look at the tuition breakdown, visit our tuition and financial aid page.

Is financial aid available to online MLS students?

There is financial aid available to online MLS students. In addition to opportunities listed on the DePaul financial aid page, online MLS students are also eligible for the professional experience waiver and the AllCampus Workplace Network* discount.

*Available to learners working at participating employer partner organizations

What is the FAFSA code for DePaul?

DePaul’s FAFSA code is 001671.

Is DePaul a Yellow Ribbon Program school?

DePaul is indeed a Yellow Ribbon Program school, and eligible Yellow Ribbon Program participants are able to apply their benefits to the MLS program.

For assistance in determining your eligibility, contact DePaul’s Veterans Affairs Coordinator Megan Burda at (312) 362-8092.