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, graduate degree or 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. In exceptional cases, applicants with a cGPA lower than 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission or admission to the Graduate Bridge program before enrolling in the MSL program.
  3. Demonstrate their ability to succeed in the MSL program through substantial relevant work experience or successful academic performance.

Applicants may apply simultaneously to the MSL program and another graduate program at the Ohio State University and, if approved, obtain a dual-degree Master’s.

*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: 

  • Summer 2023: May 9, 2023
  • Fall 2023: July 30, 2023
  • Spring 2024: December 15, 2023

 

International Applicants:

  • Summer 2023: February 22, 2023
  • Fall 2023: June 1, 2023
  • Spring 2024: October 15, 2023

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

  • Appropriate Graduate and Professional Admissions application (Please see Application Types below for more information about which application is appropriate for you)
  • Resume
  • Statement of Purpose of 2 pages addressing what specific goals the applicant wishes to achieve through studying law, and how the applicant will benefit from the MSL program
  • Two letters of recommendation, each on letterhead and with the original signature of the recommender
  • 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 admission application***. 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.

***If you are admitted and enroll in the MSL program: If you submitted scans 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 directly complete, official transcripts showing all work to date including a final grade and degrees earned to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.

 

If you have already submitted your application, you may log back into your application portal and upload your application materials through Document Uploader. View Preparing Required Materials and Steps to Apply for detailed information on the application process.

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 use the online admission form from OSU Graduate Admissions:

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

 

2. Completed a graduate level degree at Ohio State
MSL applicants who have graduated from an Ohio State graduate program should use the Graduate Intra University Transfer online admission form from OSU Graduate Admissions:

  • Click on “Apply.”
  • Click on “I am a former Ohio State Student. Go to application.”
  • Click on “Create Account.”
  • Start a new Graduate application and select “Graduate Intra-University Transfer.”
  • Follow detailed online application instructions and submit.

 

3. Currently enrolled in a graduate program at Ohio State, and interested in transferring programs.
M.S.L. applicants who are currently enrolled in a graduate level program at Ohio State should use the Graduate Intra University Transfer online admission form from OSU Graduate Admissions:

  • Click on “Apply.”
  • Click on “I am a current Ohio State Student. Go to application.”
  • Log-in with your OSU username.# and password.
  • Start a new Graduate application and select “Graduate Intra-University Transfer.”
  • Follow detailed online application instructions and submit.

 

4. Currently enrolled in a graduate program at Ohio State, and interested in pursuing a dual-degree program.

  • Go to the Graduate School’s Graduate Forms website.
  • Log-in with your OSU credentials.
  • Click on “Enrollment Forms.”
  • Choose “Dual Degree Program Plan.”
  • Click on “Create New Dual Degree Program Plan Form”
  • Fill-in current program information and courses.
  • Under “Secondary Program: Proposed Academic Level,” choose “Master’s-Course based.”
  • Under “Proposed Academic Plan,” choose “MASTLAW-MI, Master’s in the Study of Law.”
  • Fill in proposed courses, and click “Save and Continue.”

Applicants whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Our minimum required TOEFL scores are 80 internet-based; 550 paper-based; or 213 computer-based. Our minimum required IELTS score is 6.5.

 

NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ohio State University will temporarily accept the following tests from international students until Fall 2023:

  • TOEFL Home Edition (minimum score 80)
  • IELTS Indicator (minimum score 7.0)
  • Duolingo (minimum score 105)

 

TOEFL iBT and IELTS will also be accepted following Ohio State’s existing English proficiency policies. TOEFL ITP will not be accepted unless a student takes this exam as part of Ohio State’s American Language Program.

 

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 TOEFL/IELTS requirement: Australia, Belize, the British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, 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. Find out more about the Moritz LLM Program.