The College of Law at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign now offers an online Master of Science in Law (MSL) and seven graduate-level certificates, with courses beginning in Spring 2027. Built for working professionals who need legal knowledge but do not intend to practice law, the new programs are flexible, accessible, affordable, and 100% online.
“Increasingly, professionals across a variety of sectors need legal fluency to be effective in their positions,” said Jamelle Sharpe, Dean of the College of Law. “Because the traditional legal education model was not designed to meet their needs, we wanted to create opportunities for upskilling that would help more people advance in their careers. These new programs have been developed with today’s working professional in mind. The topics are extremely timely, the pace is flexible, and the cost puts these programs well within reach of busy professionals looking for an excellent education at an affordable price.”
The online MSL builds applied legal knowledge in AI governance, cybersecurity, business law, corporate governance, and employment compliance, and can be completed in as little as 18 months. Students may pursue a concentration in Tech & Privacy or Business Compliance or choose from elective courses to complete the degree. No LSAT, GRE, or other graduate school exam is required for admission. The $90 MSL application fee is waived for applications received by December 15.
For learners who are not yet ready to commit to the full degree, the College also offers graduate-level certificates. Each certificate takes three courses and can stand alone or stack toward the online MSL, so students can earn valuable credentials that help them move ahead professionally even before they finish the degree. As with the MSL, no graduate school exam is required, and there is no fee to apply for a certificate. The seven certificates focus on high-demand professional skill areas:
- Legal Foundations for Professionals
- AI Privacy & Governance in Law
- Cybersecurity Law & Resilience
- Law of Emerging Technologies
- Ethics & Corporate Governance
- Advanced Business Law
- Employment Law & Workplace Dynamics
“Legal knowledge shapes nearly every professional decision, but for most people it has stayed locked inside a three-year degree built for future lawyers,” said Rob Kar, Associate Dean for Curricular Innovation and Director of the Online MSL Program. “We built these programs from the ground up for non-lawyers, with all of the excellence and rigor of an Illinois Law program. Our students learn to spot legal risks earlier, communicate more effectively with legal counsel, and integrate legal advice into broader strategic decisions in ways that add value to their organizations and make them more confident professionals and leaders.”
Individual online courses can also be taken for credit as a non-degree student. Those credits may later be applied toward a certificate or the online MSL. In addition, Illinois students, faculty, and staff have free access on Coursera to sample videos and knowledge checks from select MSL courses. These open courses are a good way to build basic legal knowledge and explore a subject before committing to a certificate or degree. For more information and to apply, visit online.law.illinois.edu.