Master of Studies in Law (MSL) Degree

The degree of Master of Studies in Law is designed for non-lawyer candidates who seek to obtain a deeper understanding of a particular field of law that factors into their professional endeavors. Those who have completed a professional law degree are not eligible for this degree.

Concentrations

In the General MSL Degree Program, a student may design with prior approval a course of legal studies that is particularly tailored to their professional interests.

Entrance Requirements

MSL applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree or equivalent, with evidence of strong academic performance, have a minimum of 3–5 years of professional experience related to the field of study, and provide detailed letter(s) of recommendation.

Degree Requirements

While required, recommended, and elective course credits will vary among the designated MSL Degree Programs, and the General MSL Degree, it is expected that most programs will include Introduction to U.S. Law and Legal Writing for MSL Students (6950). Each program will require 24 total course credits to complete the degree and achievement of a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 at the time all requirements are met. Students may complete the degree in two full-time semesters of 12 credits each, or four part-time semesters, including the option of summer sessions if the relevant course work is offered.

MSL Academic Evaluation (added 10.16.2024)

MSL and other non-JD, non-LLM, non-SJD students shall be awarded grades from the following: H (Honors), P (Pass), LP (Low Pass), and NC (No Credit), with no more than 25% grades of H in classes of six or more students. An MSL student, however, may elect, at the beginning of their course of study, to be subject to the ordinary JD curve.

Any MSL student who matriculated before Fall 2024, however, shall be subject to the new JD grading schedule beginning in Fall 2024, but shall have an opportunity to opt out before the beginning of that semester.

Minimum Grade Point Average

For any student who is graded on a letter-grading scale to graduate, including a JD student, LLM student, SJD student, or MSL student who has opted in to this scale, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 must be achieved.

Admissions Process

Application forms are available from and should be returned to the Graduate and International Programs Office, the George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC 20052.

U.S. Graduates

U.S. graduates are admitted for both the fall and spring semesters. Applications are due by May 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester.

Non-U.S. Graduates

Non-U.S. graduates are admitted for both the fall and spring semesters. Applications are due by March 15 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

To be considered for admission, students whose undergraduate degree was earned from a non-U.S. college or university in which English is not the primary language of instruction are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language and attain a score in the 600-point range (paper-based) or 100-point range (Internet-based). Scores should be sent to the law school’s Graduate and International Programs Office. TOEFL scores may not be more than two years old. To make arrangements for the test, visit the TOEFL website. Students also may be considered for admission with a score of 7.0 or above from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). To make arrangements for the test, visit the IELTS website.