Eligibility Requirements

 

To be considered for admission to the Master in the Study of Law program, applicants must:

  1. Have received at least a four-year bachelor's degree, a graduate degree, or a professional degree from an accredited college or university by the time of matriculation into the MSL program*.
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for the last bachelor's or advanced degree earned.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to succeed in the MSL program through substantial relevant work experience or successful academic performance.

*If you only have three years of post-secondary study, you must complete one of the following:

  • A master's degree (or higher)
  • An approved post-graduate diploma
  • An additional year of university-level coursework. This work must be completed at an accredited university.

Please note that we cannot give absolute assurance that your academic documentation will qualify you for graduate study until we have reviewed your documents. When you apply, you must provide transcripts and degree statements for all post-secondary course work at a college or university.

Questions?

Contact MoritzMSL@osu.edu or (+1) 614-292-1241

Domestic Applicants: 

  • Fall 2024: July 15, 2024
  • Spring 2025: December 1, 2024
  • Summer 2025: April 15, 2025
  • Fall 2025: July 15, 2025

 

International Applicants:

  • Fall 2024: June 1, 2024
  • Spring 2025: October 15, 2024
  • Summer 2025: February 15, 2025
  • Fall 2025: June 1, 2025

All applicants to the MSL program must submit the following materials online:

  • An online application form accessible via this link by clicking on "Apply" under each respective application term. Please see the "Application Types" below to determine the appropriate application category for you.
  • A resume (or CV)
  • A statement of purpose (max. 2 pages), addressing what professional objectives the applicant aspires to achieve from their graduate study in the MSL program, and how the applicant will benefit from the legal knowledge and skills gained in the MSL program
  • Letters of recommendation. Only two (02) letters of recommendation (not three as indicated on OSU Graduate Admissions page) are required. It is required that the references submit a signed letter of recommendation on business letterhead. The two references should be a faculty member or one who is acquainted with your academic and scholastic ability, your qualifications and potential for graduate study, and/or your professional performance. Within a few days of submitting your application, an invitation will be emailed to each reference with a link to our online form to submit their letters of recommendation. If your reference is having trouble submitting the letter via the link we provided to them, they may submit the letter via email at moritzmsl@osu.edu. 
  • Official transcript(s) are required for all coursework for which credit was awarded. If you already have official transcripts in your possession, you may scan them (front and back) and submit them by attaching them to your online application portal***. If you do not have official transcripts, you must request each institution where you received credit that your transcript be sent electronically to gpadocs@osu.edu using a secure system (only U.S. institutions can use this option), or be mailed directly to OSU's Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions. Transcripts must come directly from the issuing institution; they cannot come from the applicant, even if they're in a sealed envelope. Do not submit transcripts for course work completed at Ohio State. View here for more instructions regarding transcript submissions.

 

***After you are admitted to the MSL program: If you submitted a scanned copy of your transcript(s) when you applied, or if you've graduated or completed additional course work since applying, you will be asked to request that each institution submit complete, official transcripts showing all work to date including a final grade and degrees earned to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions before the start of your program.

 

If you have already submitted your application, you may log back into your application portal and upload your application materials through Admissions Uploader. View Preparing Required Materials  for guidance on how to prepare your application.

Apply Now

 

1. Never attended an Ohio State graduate program
MSL applicants who have not graduated from or been enrolled in an Ohio State graduate program before should follow the steps below:

  • Click on “Apply” under the respective application term on this link.
  • Click on “I have never attended Ohio State. Go to application.”
  • Click on “Create Account.”
  • Follow detailed online application instructions and submit.

 

2. Completed or currently enrolled in a graduate degree at Ohio State University
MSL applicants who have graduated from an Ohio State graduate program, or who are currently enrolled in a graduate program at Ohio State must use the Graduate Intra University Transfer form and follow the steps below:

  • Click on “Apply” under the respective application term on this link.
  • Click on “I am a former Ohio State Student. Go to application” or “I am a current Ohio State Student. Go to application.”
  • Click on “Create Account” (if a former OSU graduate student) or Log-in with your OSU username.# and password (if a current OSU graduate student)
  • Start a new Graduate application and select “Graduate Intra-University Transfer.”
  • Follow detailed online application instructions and submit.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit English scores to show English proficiency. The minimum English scores required for international students are:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 80 internet-based; 550 paper-based; or 213 computer-based.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
  • Duolingo (minimum score 120)

 

Exemptions

Applicants who are permanent residents or citizens of or who have completed a degree in one of the following countries are exempt from the English proficiency requirement: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, Singapore, the United States and Wales.

 

Applicants who have held U.S. permanent resident, asylee or refugee status for at least one year from the first term of enrollment are also exempt from the English proficiency requirement.

 

Sending Test Scores

You must have taken an English test within the past two years. TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo scores must be sent directly to Ohio State. For TOEFL score reports, Ohio State's institution code is #1592.

 

International applicants should be aware that this is not an LLM program and will not qualify a foreign trained lawyer to practice law in the United States or to sit for a bar examination. If you have already earned a first law degree in your home country, you should explore the Master of Laws program the Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program at Moritz instead.