A Master of Legal Studies can help non-lawyers understand how legal systems, regulations, contracts, compliance duties, and risk management affect everyday professional decisions in Illinois. These programs are commonly named MLS, MSL, Juris Master, Master of Jurisprudence, or a closely related non-JD legal master's degree.
This ranking focuses first on Illinois-based options listed by the American Bar Association among post-JD and non-JD programs. When the state does not have ten in-state MLS-style choices, the list includes national online legal studies programs that Illinois students can compare while confirming authorization, format, tuition, and admission requirements directly with each school.
Illinois is one of the ten most populous states in the U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates, with an estimated population of 12,719,141. For that reason, this guide prioritizes official context from the ABA, the U.S. Department of Education, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Illinois State Bar Association.
Ranking Methodology
Programs were ordered for working adults and career changers who want legal training without using the MLS as a substitute for a JD. We gave the most weight to in-state ABA-listed non-JD legal master's options, then to specialized legal master's pathways, flexible formats, relevance to the state legal market, and usefulness for compliance, policy, business, health, technology, and public-sector roles.
- ABA-listed post-JD or non-JD legal master's status, where available
- In-state availability before online out-of-state comparison programs
- Clear fit for non-lawyer professionals, compliance teams, policy staff, HR, health care, business, technology, or public agencies
- Use of Department of Education resources for institutional comparison and accreditation checks
- State bar and BLS context for understanding the legal profession and labor-market signals
Top 10 MLS Programs for Illinois Students
1. University of Chicago Law School
MLS
University of Chicago Law School offers a MLS pathway that is best considered in the context of Chicago. The University of Chicago is a strong choice for students who want rigorous legal study in one of the country's largest legal markets.
Status in this ranking: Illinois-based ABA-listed MLS option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MLS option listed by ABA
- Chicago legal-market access
- Strong fit for policy, business, and analytical legal study
2. DePaul University College of Law
Master of Legal Studies, MLS
DePaul University College of Law offers a Master of Legal Studies, MLS pathway that is best considered in the context of Chicago. DePaul is practical for Chicago professionals who need legal training connected to health, intellectual property, technology, privacy, business, or nonprofit work.
Status in this ranking: Illinois-based ABA-listed MLS option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MLS option listed by ABA
- Chicago professional network
- Useful for health, IP, technology, and compliance interests
3. University of Illinois College of Law
Master of Science in Law, MSL
University of Illinois College of Law offers a Master of Science in Law, MSL pathway that is best considered in the context of Champaign. Illinois is a strong public university option for students who want legal training that can support business, public administration, policy, technology, or institutional compliance work.
Status in this ranking: Illinois-based ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MSL option listed by ABA
- Public university law-school setting
- Useful for broad professional legal literacy
4. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
General, MSL
Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law offers a General, MSL pathway that is best considered in the context of Chicago. Northwestern is especially relevant for students interested in the intersection of law, business, technology, science, health, and innovation.
Status in this ranking: Illinois-based ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MSL option listed by ABA
- Chicago setting
- Strong fit for STEM, business, and innovation professionals
5. Loyola University Chicago School of Law
MJ options in compliance, health, child and family law, and related fields
Loyola University Chicago School of Law offers a MJ options in compliance, health, child and family law, and related fields pathway that is best considered in the context of Chicago. Loyola Chicago is useful for professionals who want legal study in compliance, health law, privacy, family services, child welfare, or enterprise risk.
Status in this ranking: Illinois-based ABA-listed non-JD legal master's options. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- MJ options listed by ABA
- Chicago health and compliance relevance
- Useful for working professionals in regulated fields
6. Chicago-Kent College of Law
Legal certificates and specialized LLM options
Chicago-Kent College of Law offers a Legal certificates and specialized LLM options pathway that is best considered in the context of Chicago. Chicago-Kent belongs on the comparison list for students evaluating technology, cybersecurity, privacy, international law, intellectual property, and business-oriented legal study.
Status in this ranking: Illinois-based ABA-listed related legal study options. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Related legal study options listed by ABA
- Strong technology and IP orientation
- Good comparison for specialized legal learning
7. Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
Legal Studies, MLS
Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law offers a Legal Studies, MLS pathway that is best considered in the context of Online option for state residents. A broad MLS option works well for professionals who need legal literacy across compliance, contracts, employment, health care, technology, public administration, or regulated business roles.
Status in this ranking: ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Broad legal studies curriculum
- Designed for non-lawyer professionals
- Useful when in-state MLS supply is limited
8. University of Southern California Gould School of Law
Master of Studies in Law, MSL
University of Southern California Gould School of Law offers a Master of Studies in Law, MSL pathway that is best considered in the context of Online option for state residents. USC is a practical comparison point for working adults who want a law-school-based master's program with concentrations tied to business, compliance, human resources, privacy, and entertainment or media work.
Status in this ranking: ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Online MSL format
- Law-school-based curriculum
- Strong fit for compliance and business professionals
9. Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law
General MLS (online)
Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law offers a General MLS (online) pathway that is best considered in the context of Online option for state residents. Pepperdine is a useful option for students who want a general legal studies degree with flexibility and a dispute-resolution-informed law school environment.
Status in this ranking: ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Online MLS option
- Good fit for working professionals
- Useful for compliance, administration, and policy roles
10. Fordham University School of Law
Master of Studies in Law, MSL
Fordham University School of Law offers a Master of Studies in Law, MSL pathway that is best considered in the context of Online/residential option for state residents. Fordham is a strong comparison for students interested in compliance, corporate governance, fashion law, real estate, technology, finance, or other specialized legal study.
Status in this ranking: ABA-listed non-JD legal master's option. Students should confirm whether the current program is intended for non-lawyers, lawyers, foreign-trained lawyers, or a mixed professional audience before applying.
Program highlights:
- Multiple legal study tracks
- Online and residential formats listed by ABA
- Strong fit for regulated business roles
Program Comparison
| Rank | School | Program | Location or Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Law School | MLS | Chicago |
| 2 | DePaul University College of Law | Master of Legal Studies, MLS | Chicago |
| 3 | University of Illinois College of Law | Master of Science in Law, MSL | Champaign |
| 4 | Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law | General, MSL | Chicago |
| 5 | Loyola University Chicago School of Law | MJ options in compliance, health, child and family law, and related fields | Chicago |
| 6 | Chicago-Kent College of Law | Legal certificates and specialized LLM options | Chicago |
| 7 | Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law | Legal Studies, MLS | Online option for state residents |
| 8 | University of Southern California Gould School of Law | Master of Studies in Law, MSL | Online option for state residents |
| 9 | Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law | General MLS (online) | Online option for state residents |
| 10 | Fordham University School of Law | Master of Studies in Law, MSL | Online/residential option for state residents |
Illinois Legal Market Context
Illinois legal work is concentrated in Chicago but reaches across government, health care, finance, insurance, logistics, manufacturing, education, technology, and public-interest organizations. MLS study can be useful for non-lawyers who manage contracts, investigations, compliance programs, policy, and legal operations.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports national lawyer pay and job outlook data, but an MLS is not a lawyer-licensure degree. Use BLS data as broad context for the legal services sector, then use state bar resources to understand how attorney regulation, professional conduct, public protection, and bar admissions work in Illinois.
What to Check Before Enrolling
- Confirm whether the program is built for non-lawyers, licensed attorneys, foreign-trained lawyers, or a specific professional group.
- Use the Department of Education College Scorecard and accreditation resources to compare institutional cost, completion, outcomes, and recognized accreditation.
- Remember that ABA approval applies to JD programs and law schools; ABA acquiescence for non-JD programs is not the same as ABA approval of the MLS itself.
- Ask whether the program offers online, hybrid, evening, part-time, or accelerated scheduling that fits your work obligations.
- Review concentration options in compliance, health law, human resources, technology, privacy, business, policy, or another field tied to your career goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Master of Legal Studies the same as a JD?
No. An MLS, MSL, JM, or MJ is generally a non-JD legal master's degree for people who need legal knowledge in their current field. It does not qualify a graduate to practice law as an attorney.
Does the ABA accredit MLS programs?
The ABA explains that its Council approves JD programs and does not formally approve non-JD degrees themselves. The ABA list is still useful because it identifies non-JD programs connected to ABA-approved law schools.
Should Illinois students choose an in-state or online MLS?
Start with in-state options when local networking, state-specific policy, or campus access matters. Online options can make sense when the state has limited MLS availability or when a specialized concentration fits your career better.
What careers can an MLS support?
Common MLS-aligned roles include compliance manager, contract manager, policy analyst, HR specialist, health care administrator, privacy analyst, legal operations specialist, risk manager, and public agency professional. Job titles and requirements vary by employer.
Sources
- American Bar Association: Post-JD and Non-JD Programs
- American Bar Association: Post-JD/Non-JD Programs by School
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Lawyers Occupational Outlook Handbook
- U.S. Department of Education: Find a College or Educational Program
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard dataset
- U.S. Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 Population Estimates
- Illinois State Bar Association