COLLEGE OF LAW MASTER OF LEGAL STUDIES *
DePaul College of Law’s Master of Legal Studies (MLS) is designed for experienced leaders, busy professionals, recent graduates and lifelong learners interested in gaining legal training and knowledge in a particular area of interest. MLS students choose courses directly from the College of Law’s extensive curriculum to earn a concentration in a specialized area of legal study. DePaul’s MLS degree offers graduates unique expertise and a nuanced set of skills essential for those interested in a highly focused career path.
CONCENTRATIONS
MLS students select a specialized course of legal study at the time of application. Upon completion of the program, students earn a concentration in the selected area, which is designated on their final transcript. Specific concentration details are available at go.depaul.edu/mls
Business Law (online) provides a comprehensive understanding of compliance; transactional law, negotiations and deal making; and contract law that directly affects businesses all over the world.
Criminal Law offers specialized courses in criminal law and procedure.
Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Law (online) has been designed in consultation with DePaul’s renowned Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media. With their borrowed tech expertise and our legal prowess, we have designed a program that gives students the skills of a top law and computing school.
General Legal Studies (online) allows students to map out their own course electives to fit their educational goals with the help of their academic advisor.
Health Care Compliance focuses on complex health care regulations, and the curriculum covers how to assess, structure and administer a compliance program in a health care organization.
Health Law encompasses all major areas of health law including social, ethical, corporate, regulatory and policy issues.
International and Comparative Law coursework ranges from topics on international business and trade law to international human rights law to asylum and immigration law.
Public Interest Law offers a wide array of courses focused on social justice issues, including civil rights, housing law, consumer protection and discrimination.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The MLS is a 30-credit hour degree program that can be completed in one and a half years of full-time study or up to four years of part-time study.
Professional Experience Credit
Students with relevant work experience may apply for a waiver of up to six (6) credit hours, for a total degree requirement of 24 credit hours. To qualify, students must demonstrate at least 12 months of professional experience in a field relevant to the chosen MLS concentration.
Required Courses
All MLS students must complete:
LAW 322 Introduction to American Law & Legal Systems
LAW 556 Introduction to Legal Writing & Research
Online MLS students also must complete:
LAW 631 Regulatory Compliance
LAW 632 Communication & Negotiation
LAW 633 Organizational Management & the Law
*Formerly the Master of Jurisprudence (MJ)
ADMISSION
All MLS applicants are required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or the foreign equivalent from a university authorized to confer such a degree by the country in which it is located. MLS applicants are not required to take and/ or submit scores from standardized admissions tests such as the GRE, GMAT, MCAT or LSAT.
How to apply
Please submit the following materials in order to be considered for admission:
• Completed MLS application, available at go.depaul.edu/mls
• A personal statement not exceeding two pages
• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts for all degrees received
• A current résumé not exceeding two pages
• Letters of recommendation (optional, but highly recommended)
• $40 application fee
Additional requirements for internationally educated applicants can be found on the MLS application form.
WHEN TO APPLY
Early application is recommended. DePaul College of Law has a rolling admissions process and reviews applications as soon as they are completed. Applicants should submit all required materials by the deadline for the term for which they wish to apply.
• Fall Semester (August start): July 1
• Spring Semester (January start): November 1
Applications should be sent to: Office of Law Admissions
DePaul University College of Law
25 EastJackson Boulevard Chicago, IL 60604-2287
FOR MORE INFORMATION
l aw.depaul.edu
gradlaw@depaul.edu
(312) 362-8185
Outside Illinois: (800) 428-7453
Instagram and Twitter: @DePaulLaw
Facebook: @DePaulCollegeofLaw
LinkedIn: DePaul University College of Law