Are you considering going to school in Illinois and obtaining a master’s degree in legal studies?
A master of legal studies degree can lead you to various professions, including those that are in government, law firms, and various other industries.
For instance, maybe you are interested in becoming a contract negotiation manager or an HR director.
If so, this is the perfect way to pave your way to the career of your dreams.
This guide will provide you with a list of schools in Illinois that offer legal studies programs to earn a master’s degree.
1 Northwestern University
About the School
Northwestern University is a school that is committed to above-average teaching, precise research, and intellectual growth.
Students can enroll in several majors here at Northwestern University, legal studies being just one of them.
Their main campus is located in Evanston, Illinois.
It’s considered a private research school and has been serving the community since 1851.
Courses Offered
Northwestern University offers a master’s degree program for those who are pursuing legal studies.
The curriculum in this program is unique and focuses on business, STEM, regulation, and, of course, law.
This program also requires four elective courses.
Students will receive a total of 28 credit hours for the MSL degree, which equals out to about 20 courses.
Required courses in this program include:
- Business Torts
- Contract Law
- Ethics & Law STEM-Related Fields
- Business Formation & Structure
- Legal & Regulatory Process
- Effective Professional Communication
- Intellectual Property Fundamentals
The program is available for both full-time and part-time options.
For example, the full-time program takes nine months to complete, and the online part-time program takes two to four years to complete.
Northwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
This means that any credits students receive here will be recognized by other universities.
Contact Information
- Address: 375 East Chicago Ave l Chicago, IL 60611
- Phone: 312-503-3100
- Website: Visit School Website
2 Depaul University College of Law
About the School
Depaul University College of Law has been serving the community of Chicago since 1897.
The university is fully committed to educating students who are driven by law and interested in becoming legal professionals.
The master’s of legal studies program that is offered at this school is excellent for those looking to learn skills in the following industries:
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare & Social Assistance
- Finance & Insurance
- Technical, Professional, and Scientific
- Educational Services
- Retail Trade
- Public Administration
Courses Offered
The master’s of legal studies program at Depaul University is unique.
Students who choose to enroll in this program will gain a lot of expertise and knowledge as they learn how to navigate the guidelines that are necessary in the workplace today.
The curriculum here is designed to help students further their legal skills.
The program is offered online and allows students to study remotely.
Students will learn all about general legal studies, business law, and data privacy and cybersecurity law.
Students will also learn all about the various methods that attorneys use to research laws and gain a deeper understanding of the laws in the contract world.
Depaul University College of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association.
The program offers a plethora of benefits.
Students will be able to earn their degree in as little as two to two and a half years.
Students will also be able to save on tuition.
And most of all, no legal experience or test scores are required to apply for this program.
Contact Information
- Address: 25 E Jackson Blvd l Chicago, IL
- Phone: 312-362-8701
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Illinois College of Law
About the School
Illinois College of Law is one of the best schools to enroll in if you’re interested in majoring in legal studies.
The college is one of the oldest law schools in the entire country.
The school is proud to be a part of a network of strong alumni and faculty.
Illinois College of Law is also a part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which is also known as one of the country’s top research universities.
Illinois College of Law was founded in 1867 and has been serving the community ever since.
There are various law programs offered here, including LLM degree programs, MSL degree programs, JD degree programs, and JSD degree programs.
Courses Offered
Illinois College of Law also offers a master’s in legal studies program.
It is a degree program that was created for students who are interested in gaining knowledge of both legal analysis and the law.
There are several options students have concerning enrollment in this program.
Students have the option to enroll full-time or part-time.
For students interested in enrolling full-time, they will receive a total of 12-20 credit hours per semester.
The program can be completed in just one year.
For those interested in part-time, you’ll receive between six and 11 credit hours per semester, and it can be completed in just two years.
No matter the enrollment option students choose, coursework will be the same.
However, to graduate, students must complete a total of 32 credit hours on various law courses and earn at least a GPA of 2.75.
Some courses that students will take in this program include:
- Criminal Law
- Property
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law I
- Torts
- Contracts
Illinois College of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association.
Contact Information
- Address: 504 East Pennsylvania Ave l Champaign, IL 61820
- Phone: 271-333-0931
- Website: Visit School Website
4 The University of Chicago Law School
About the School
The University of Law School is another exemplary school in Illinois that offers a niche for those interested in law.
The school is located in Chicago and is also known as one of the best law schools in the country.
UChicago Law offers the perfect blend of law, natural sciences, and social sciences in a closely knitted community.
They have been serving the community since 1902.
There are programs ideal for students in various aspects of the law.
Courses Offered
The University of Chicago Law School offers a one-year degree program that is primarily designed for PhD students who are already established students.
This program is specifically for those wanting to gain or improve their knowledge of law but do not want to complete a full three-year degree program.
Those interested in enrolling in this program must first undergo an assessment.
Students interested in the master’s of legal studies program can select from various courses that coincide with their research.
Usually, students take at least one of the first law school classes related to their program.
To complete the program, students must earn 27 credit hours.
Scholarships are also available to cover the entire tuition costs.
Students may also be eligible to receive stipends for their living expenses which are good for the entire year.
Some courses that students will take include:
- Health Law
- Legal History
- Taxation
- Clinical Courses
- Administrative Law
- Environmental Law
The University of Chicago Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association.
Contact Information
- Address: 1111 East 60th Street l Chicago, IL 60637
- Phone: 773-702-9494
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of Illinois Springfield
About the School
The University of Springfield is the perfect option for those looking for a master’s in legal studies program.
They offer a variety of programs for first-year applicants, international applicants, graduate applicants, continuing education, online learning, and more.
The university is one of three schools that is a part of the world-class University of Illinois system.
Nearly 4,000 students enroll here each year.
Classes aren’t too big or too small, which allows professors to form close relationships with the students.
The university has been serving the community for more than 50 years and is still going strong.
Courses Offered
The University of Illinois Springfield also offers a master’s of legal studies program.
This program is ideal for students who are pursuing a profession in the legal and law fields.
Upon completion of this program, students will have earned a total of 36 credit hours.
The program is available for both online and on-campus options.
Hybrid options are also available.
The master’s degree in legal studies program will take 24 months to complete.
However, students will have a flexible schedule that is created for those currently working.
Classes are student-focused, small, and are limited to 20 students.
The program is also highly affordable with discounts offered to those learning remotely.
Some courses that students will take in this program include:
- Intro to the American Political System
- Intro to the American Legal System
- Trial Advocacy
- American Law in Comparative Perspective
Contact Information
- Address: 1 University Plaza l Springfield, IL 62703
- Phone: 217-206-6535
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School
About the School
SIU Law has been serving the community for decades.
The first class graduated in 1976.
To this day, the number of graduates from SIU Law has increased to more than 4,600.
SIU Law is a perfect school choice that serves students and recent grads in various ways.
Whether students are looking for externships, mentoring, or employment opportunities, SIU Law proudly welcomes all students.
While students can certainly acquire a master’s degree in legal studies from SIU Law, there are other programs offered here as well.
SIU Law offers a JD program and even concurrent degree programs.
Courses Offered
There are various areas of study that students can choose from at SIU Law.
Criminal law, health law, international law, family law and estate planning, and public interest law are just a few of the many areas of study offered at SIU Law.
Students will take a variety of courses in the legal studies degree program including, but not limited to:
- Antitrust
- Business Planning
- Administrative Law
- Labor Law
- Trial Advocacy
- Evidence
All students who enroll at SIU Law are required to complete a total of 35 credit hours before graduating.
Contact Information
- Address: 1263 Lincoln Drive l Carbondale, IL 62901
- Phone: 618-536-7711
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Loyola University School of Law
About the School
Loyola University School of Law is an extension of Loyola University of Chicago where students have the opportunity to study law.
Loyola University has been serving the community ever since 1909 and was organized by the Society of Jesus.
The school is located in downtown Chicago and offers various degree programs including MJ, LLM, doctorate programs, and even online graduate certificates.
Their goal is to offer an advanced path for students to achieve their professional goals.
Courses Offered
Loyola University School of Law understands that the law is always evolving, which is why they are proud to announce that they offer a master’s of legal studies program for graduates.
There are various online programs offered to allow students to transition into advocates, leaders, and more.
Loyola University School of Law also offers other degree programs, including JD programs, MJ programs, and LLM programs.
The curriculum will provide students with the knowledge they need for the legal profession of their choosing.
It also aims to develop students’ understanding of the values within the legal profession.
Students will take various courses in this program, such as:
- Intellectual Property
- Criminal Law
- Business Law
- Health Law
- Civil Procedure
- Conflict Resolution
Loyola University School of Law is proud to be accredited and approved by the American Bar Association.
Contact Information
- Address: 25 E. Pearson Street l Chicago, IL 60611
- Phone: 312-915-7120
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Legal Studies Salary Information
Salary
Individuals who hold a master’s of legal studies degree will have varying salaries depending on the exact profession they choose to pursue.
Typically, regardless of the industry, those who hold such a degree will have a salary that will range anywhere from $50,680 to $136,350 per year.
For example, compliance officers earn $75,670 a year, while paralegals earn $60,970 per year.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$85K |
|
$94K |
|
$10K |
Average Salary in Illinois
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | $94,495 |
| Cicero | $96,708 |
| Moline | $86,290 |
| Orland Park | $94,127 |
| Springfield | $89,425 |
| Aurora | $95,878 |
| Bloomington | $88,319 |
| Peoria | $88,687 |
| Rock Island | $86,383 |
| Des Plaines | $96,431 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 240 | $59,430 | $28.57 | $80,010 | $43,500 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 70 | $49,140 | $23.63 | $63,050 | $36,140 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 130 | $54,790 | $26.34 | $74,890 | $38,040 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 13,520 | $64,820 | $31.16 | $97,510 | $47,760 |
| Decatur, IL | 40 | $53,980 | $25.95 | $76,290 | $44,660 |
| Peoria, IL | 290 | $55,630 | $26.74 | $75,810 | $38,300 |
| Rockford, IL | 150 | $54,460 | $26.19 | $75,260 | $38,600 |
| Springfield, IL | 220 | $57,630 | $27.71 | $81,690 | $39,220 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Legal Studies Programs by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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