University of Illinois, Springfield Online Master of Arts in Legal Studies Program

The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) offers an online Master of Arts in Legal Studies (MALS) designed for working professionals who need a comprehensive understanding of the legal system but do not intend to become practicing attorneys. Grounded in an interdisciplinary liberal arts framework, the program is particularly well-suited for those who work in legal compliance, participate in judicial processes, engage in legal research or analysis, or work in public sector, nonprofit, legislative, or business fields where knowledge of the law is essential. It is also beneficial for professionals who practice law in another country and regularly interact with U.S. lawyers and businesses.

The program emphasizes analytical thinking, legal and scholarly research and writing, substantive areas of the law, ethical and public interest concerns, and public policy advocacy. Online students take the same courses with the same instructors as on-campus students, with small class sizes and direct access to faculty rather than teaching assistants. Students tailor their degree through a broad range of elective options — including suggested focus areas in Law and Public Policy, Human Rights/Social Justice, Criminal Justice, and Regulatory Compliance — and may also pursue clinical education placements in courts, administrative agencies, attorney offices, legal aid organizations, and nonprofit or political offices.

Program Highlights

  • 36-credit interdisciplinary program designed for working professionals, taught entirely by faculty (no teaching assistants)
  • Multiple start dates per year; currently enrolling for Fall 2026 (apply by September 7, 2026)
  • Flexible elective curriculum: 8 hours minimum of LES-prefixed electives, with remaining 8 hours drawn from LES or other university departments
  • Suggested elective focus areas: Law and Public Policy; Human Rights/Social Justice; Criminal Justice; Regulatory Compliance — or students may design their own focus
  • Clinical education option: up to 4 hours of clinical credit (counted toward LES elective hours) through placements in courts, government agencies, law firms, legal aid offices, nonprofits, and political offices
  • Graduate Seminar (LES 504) serves as the master’s closure exercise and capstone — the final paper is reviewed by the Graduate Review Committee
  • Grading policy: minimum B (3.0) average required throughout; B or better required in all LES core courses; B- or lower grades in core courses are not accepted
  • Accreditation: UIS is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

Program Details

  • Test Requirement: No LSAT, GRE, or GMAT required
  • Study Length: Approximately 2 years (multiple start dates per year)
  • Credits: 36

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Personal statement (350–750 words) addressing professional aspirations, intellectual interests, and relevant personal/academic/professional experiences as they relate to the Legal Studies M.A. program (uploaded through the application portal)
  • Official transcripts (submitted electronically to incomingtranscripts@uis.edu or via a major transcript platform; photocopies not accepted)
  • Demonstrated effective written communication skills (assessed as part of holistic review)
  • Application fee: $60 (domestic graduate applicants); $75 (international graduate applicants)
  • Priority application deadlines: October 1 for spring entry; March 1 for fall entry
  • GRE/LSAT: Not required

Contact: Department of Legal Studies, UIS Email: les@uis.edu (on-campus) / les-online@uis.edu (online) Phone: (217) 206-6535

Please contact the program to determine if the program is available for your state of residence.

University of Illinois, Springfield’s Legal Studies MA program information was last updated in March 2026. For more information, visit the university’s website above.