Master of Legal Studies

Next Term Application Deadline

08.08.2025

Total Credits

Next Term Starts

08.25.2025

APPLICATION FEE WAIVED

Request More Information from an Enrollment Advisor

Step 1 of 2

Program of Interest*
Master of Legal Studies
Program requires the completion of an associate degree program. Have you earned an associate degree?*
- Yes (*includes in-progress degree)
- No
Program requires the completion of a BSN degree program. Have you earned a BSN degree?*
- Yes (*includes in-progress degree)
- No
Desired Start Date*
*This program is now enrolling for Summer 2025.

Name*
First Name Last Name
Email*
Country*

Country
State*
State
ZIP
This field is hidden when viewing the form
*
Region Postal Code
Phone*
Phone*
Military Affiliated
Freely given consent from contact*
By submitting this form I accept the privacy policy and understand that University of Cincinnati may contact me via telephone, email, and/or text messages about educational programs using an automated technology.*
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

APPLICATION FEE WAIVED

Apply now and save the application fee. Start your journey today!

The University of Cincinnati’s Master of Legal Studies Program

The University of Cincinnati’s Master of Legal Studies program is designed to grant students a working knowledge of the law that they can put to use in an industry or career that interacts with the law. This degree provides new competencies and knowledge to enhance your existing skills rather than prepare you for a new career. The MLS program can provide an alternative for individuals who do not want to attend law school or practice law, but want to increase their legal knowledge. Master of Legal Studies students may enter the program for a variety of reasons, such as working with legal professionals regularly, working in highly regulated industries, or being business owners that want to be able to handle more legal aspects of their business.

This fully online, asynchronous legal studies program is designed for working professionals who would benefit from a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. legal system but do not intend to practice law. It helps professionals understand laws and regulations so they can perform better in their current and future roles.

UC Online | Master of Legal Studies Program Overview

Want to know more about what to expect from UC’s online Master of Legal Studies program? Hear from program director Susan Stephan, J.D., LL.M.. In this video, you’ll learn about the scope of the program and what you can expect to gain from the online MLS program.

Why Earn A Master of Legal Studies Degree?

Add value to your current role through greater understanding of how the law intersects with your responsibilities
Increase your competitiveness as a job applicant by holding a master’s degree in legal studies
Enhance your resume by developing skills in specialized areas of the law

Master of Legal Studies Program Highlights

Fully online and asynchronous: No campus visits are required and the program’s online format enables students to complete all degree requirements without having to relocate to the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Employment opportunities: University of Cincinnati’s College of Law partners with businesses to create pathways for their employees to become MLS online students and participate in a capstone related to their field of interest. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the demand for professionals with MLS degrees in law for non-lawyers is growing 15% through 2026.
Flexible Scheduling: Students will earn their degree in five terms, taking two seven-week classes per semester, equaling less than two years to complete the degree. This allows students the opportunity to work at their own pace, while maintaining their full-time jobs and balancing family life. We offer three start dates per year for your convenience.

Rankings

The University of Cincinnati’s online programs consistently rank among the nation’s very best by U.S. News and World Report.
Our program ranks as the #1 most affordable law school in Ohio.
UC’s College of Law ranks in the top 100 public law schools among the 2024 Best Law Schools report from U.S. News & World Report.

Webinar

Interested in the program, but want to know a little more about what you’ll learn? Check out our webinar below, featuring Program Director Susan Stephan and Nora Burke Wagner, Assistant Dean for International & Graduate Programs at UC College of Law.

FAQs

How can a Master of Legal Studies degree help me advance in my current career?

The Master of Legal Studies degree is a fully online, asynchronous program designed for working professionals who would benefit from a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. legal system but do not intend to practice law. Legal matters are interwoven with business operations as organizations must follow laws and regulations to legally operate. Graduates of the MLS degree program have the expertise to help their current employers stay within the legal regulations of operation.

You may have always had an interest in law but aren’t sure if law school is for you. Maybe your current work has you collaborating with legal professionals, and you want to increase your knowledge so you can move into a new role or accept new duties.

Our MLS degree with the University of Cincinnati Online provides you with new skills and knowledge to enhance your existing career.

Connect with an advisor today!
Can I practice law with a Master of Legal Studies degree?

The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree provides options for people who are interested in furthering their education in law but do not necessarily want to attend law school to become an attorney. Our program is a fully online, asynchronous program designed for working professionals who would benefit from a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. legal system but do NOT intend to practice law. The MLS program provides new skills and knowledge to enhance your existing ones rather than to prepare you for an entirely new career. This degree will not permit you to take the bar examination and so it is not intended for people who want to practice law. Potential students may, but are not required to, submit a LSAT score upon application.

You may have always had an interest in law but unsure if law school is for you. If you have your bachelor’s degree, regardless of what subject it’s in, you’re eligible to apply for an MLS degree. Obtaining your MLS degree may provide you with opportunities to move into a new legal-focused career or advance your current career path, without becoming a lawyer.

Connect with an advisor today!
Do I need to take/submit the LSAT to apply for the Master of Legal Studies online program?

Successful applicants to the Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program will have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum GPA of 2.75. Applications will be reviewed holistically, such that work experience and other factors indicating the likelihood of success will be given considerable weight.

While the University of Cincinnati Online MLS program is not requiring any admissions test, prospective students may submit a GRE, LSAT, GMAT, or other standardized admissions test score to supplement their application. This is encouraged if the potential applicant does not meet the GPA requirement above.

Still have additional questions, contact an advisor today!