Online Master of Legal Studies
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.
Why Earn a Master of Legal Studies Degree?
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.
Benefits of 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.
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.
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.
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.
Master of Legal Studies Admission Requirements
Admission into the University of Cincinnati’s Master of Legal Studies online program is selective and based on meeting the requirements outlined below. Applications will be reviewed by taking work experience and other factors indicating the likelihood of success in the Masters of Legal Studies program, into consideration.
Prerequisites
- Bachelor’s Degree (in any field of study) from a regionally accredited university.
- Statement of Interest and one professional or academic letter of recommendation from an individual you have known for a minimum of one year.
- Minimum of two years of professional work experience.
- An overall 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from all previous undergraduate coursework.
*While we do not require an admissions test, prospective students may submit a GRE, LSAT, GMAT or other standardized test score to highlight applicant’s academic success.
Applications may be submitted through our online application. For instructions on how to begin your application, visit our Apply page.
Official transcripts showing all undergraduate and graduate course work completed, including degrees granted and dates of degrees. Applicants whose previous degrees were earned at the University of Cincinnati may substitute “on-campus” transcripts.
Student will upload unofficial transcripts (from all college or universities attended) during the application process.
Official transcripts are not required until student has accepted an offer of admission from the university.
Learn more about the transcript submission policy.
Applicants must submit a Statement of Interest expressing their experience as a working professional and identify the key factors of why/how the Master of Legal Studies degree will help them advance professionally.
A resume demonstrating two years of professional experience. *
*Our program is designed to build on an existing career and relies on practical experience in the workplace.
In addition to the Statement of Interest, please include one professional or academic letter of recommendation from individuals you have known for a minimum of one year, presented on corresponding professional letterhead.
International applicants must have a minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores below to be considered for acceptance. International students are not eligible for student visas for online programs.
- Score of 550 (paper version)
- or 190 (electronic version)
- 80 internet based test (iBT)
- 6.5 score on the IELTS is also acceptable
Have you already completed some graduate coursework? Graduate transfer credits, from a regionally accredited college or university, will be reviewed upon application. These credits must have been earned within the last five years prior to entrance into the program and can be used only for general electives. Talk to your enrollment advisor to discuss the petition process.
- $65 ($70 international) non-refundable University of Cincinnati Graduate School application fee.* * Currently waived through the 2025-2026 school year!
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program. On average, students will accrue fewer fees than students attending on-campus classes.
The one fee applied across all UC Online programs is the distance learning fee. Students living outside the state of Ohio must also pay an additional “non-resident” fee to enroll in courses at UC Online. This fee is lower than the out-of-state fee for traditional on-campus programs.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
The University of Cincinnati and all of its regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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