Professionals across business, technology, compliance, and government increasingly need to understand legal risk, work effectively with counsel, and make decisions with legal consequences — without becoming a lawyer. To meet that need, Illinois Law offers flexible, accessible, fully online pathways to legal fluency at a fraction of the cost and time of a traditional JD. Whether you’re a manager navigating legal complexity, a rising leader who wants sharper judgment, or simply curious about the law, there’s an entry point here that fits your goals, your schedule, and your budget.
Online MSL
Build legal fluency without becoming a lawyer. The Master of Science in Law is a fully online, 18-month degree for professionals in business, tech, compliance, and government — no LSAT, no legal background required. Choose a concentration in Business Compliance or Tech & Privacy, and earn up to seven stackable certificates along the way, each one a recognized credential in its own right.
Graduate-Level Certificates
Not ready for the full degree? Start with a certificate. In just 12 credit hours, build focused, in-demand expertise — from AI governance to cybersecurity to employment law — with no application fee and no legal background needed. Certificates stand on their own and can count toward the MS in Law if you continue.
Credit Bearing Courses
Not ready for a full certificate or degree? Take individual Illinois Law courses for credit as a non-degree student — no application required beyond standard non-degree registration, and credits can count toward a certificate or the MS in Law later if you continue down either path.
To explore, search Course Explorer for 500-level Law (LAW) courses — look for titles marked “for graduate students” to find ones open to non-degree learners.
Open Learning Courses
Try before you commit. Sample video lectures and knowledge checks from select MS in Law courses on Coursera, free for Illinois students, faculty, and staff with Illinois Coursera access, or available to the public through a standard Coursera subscription or low enrollment fee. No application required.
These Coursera courses serve as foundational video “textbooks” for courses in the full MS in Law and certificate programs. Those programs build on them with higher-level learning objectives and assessments, practical projects, instructor interaction, and a cohort-based learning community, turning foundational knowledge into professional capability. The following courses are now available: