Program Overview

Introduction to the Law (MLS) Program

The Law (MLS) program at DePaul University is designed for professionals who do not seek to practice law but encounter legal issues in their work and would benefit from a sophisticated understanding of legal reasoning and doctrine. This program enables graduates to effectively communicate with legal counsel and assess the needs of their organizations as laws and regulations change.

Program Requirements

• The MLS program requires 30 semester hours to complete.
• Students can complete the program in one and a half years of full-time study or up to six years of part-time study.
• MLS students choose courses directly from the College of Law's extensive curriculum.
• Students with significant, relevant work experience may apply for a waiver of up to six credit hours, reducing the total degree requirement to 24 credit hours.

Learning Outcomes

Students in the MLS program will be able to:

• Identify structures of the U.S. legal system and government institutions.
• Demonstrate understanding of how a common law system operates in a constitutional democracy.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the legal rules and policies in their area of specialization.
• Identify and apply relevant legal authority.
• Communicate clearly in speech and writing.

Concentrations

The MLS program offers several concentrations, including:

• Business Law Concentration
• Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Concentration
• General Legal Studies Concentration
• Health Care Compliance Concentration
• Health Law Concentration
• International and Comparative Law Concentration
• Public Interest Law Concentration
• Criminal Law Concentration

Business Law Concentration

• Required Courses:
  • LAW 102: Business Organizations
  • LAW 400: Business Transactions and Documentation
  • LAW 631: Regulatory Compliance
  • LAW 632: Communication and Negotiation
  • LAW 633: Organizational Management and the Law
• Elective Courses: Students take 3-9 credit hours from a list of elective courses, depending on Prior Learning Credit awarded.

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Concentration

• Required Concentration Courses:
  • LAW 631: Regulatory Compliance
  • LAW 632: Communication and Negotiation
  • LAW 633: Organizational Management and the Law
  • LAW 924: Data Privacy Law: US & EU
  • LAW 925: Cybersecurity Law: Litigation and Negotiation
• Electives: Students take 3-9 credit hours from a list of elective courses, depending on Prior Learning Credit awarded.

General Legal Studies Concentration

• Required Concentration Courses:
  • LAW 631: Regulatory Compliance
  • LAW 632: Communication and Negotiation
  • LAW 633: Organizational Management and the Law
• Electives: Students complete 3-15 credit hours from a list of elective courses, depending on Prior Learning Credit awarded.

Health Law Concentration

• Required Courses:
  • LAW 706: Health Policy and the Law
  • LAW 727: Health Care Compliance and Regulations
• Elective Courses: Students select at least three courses from a list of elective courses.

Health Care Compliance Concentration

• To be certified to sit for the CCB compliance exams, students must earn 15 credit hours from the health care compliance courses listed and meet all other MLS degree requirements.
• Required Courses:
  • LAW 706: Health Policy and the Law
  • LAW 719: Health Care: Fraud and Abuse
  • LAW 727: Health Care Compliance and Regulations
• Elective Courses: Students select at least three courses from a list of elective courses.

International and Comparative Law Concentration

• Required Courses:
  • LAW 422: International Law
  • LAW 250: Senior Research Seminar (International and Comparative Law) or LAW 428: Independent Study
• Elective Courses: Students select at least three courses from a list of elective courses.

Public Interest Law Concentration

• The concentration focuses on public interest law, with required and elective courses tailored to this area.

Criminal Law Concentration

• Required Courses:
  • MLAW 506: Criminal Law
  • Select one of the following: MLAW 518: Criminal Procedure I: Investigation or MLAW 562: Criminal Procedure for Police Professions
• Elective Courses: Students select at least three courses from a list of elective courses.

Enrollment and Time to Degree Completion

• For MLS students, a nine semester hour course load is considered full-time (six semester hours for summer study).
• A six semester hour course load is considered half-time (three hours for summer study).
• MLS students may opt to take only three semester hours per term.
• Students who are unable to complete the MLS degree within six years are required to confer with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs in the College of Law.

Grades and Good Standing

• To be considered in good standing at the College of Law, MLS students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 over three semesters.
• Grades received in the Summer session are not included in a student's GPA for the prior academic year.
• MLS students are not included in the grade curve that applies to JD students.

Course Requirements

• All MLS students complete two required foundational courses in American law.
• Required Foundational Courses:
  • MLAW 101: Introduction to American Law and Legal Systems
  • MLAW 102: Introduction to Legal Writing and Research

Concentration Requirements

• MLS students complete the required and elective courses in their chosen concentration.
• The concentration is designated on the student's final transcript upon completion of the program.

Conclusion

The Law (MLS) program at DePaul University offers a comprehensive education in legal studies, tailored to the needs of professionals who interact with legal issues in their work. With its various concentrations and flexible completion options, the program provides a valuable opportunity for individuals to enhance their understanding of the law and advance their careers.