MLS Program Admission

The Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program requires the completion of 30 credits, which includes required courses and a specific number of core courses, with the remaining credits chosen from approved electives and independent study. Students may pursue their course of study either full-time over a single year, or part-time over two years.

MLS eligibility

• Earned or will earn a bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university prior to your enrollment
• No LSAT, GRE, or GMAT required
• English language proficiency requirements

Important dates

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, however, applications received prior to Scholarship Priority Deadline will be given priority for admissions and available scholarship funds.

MLS application procedures

On-Campus MLS Programs

Applicants for our residential programs in Health Law, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, Sports Law, and General Studies may apply online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website or by sending a completed application via PDF.

Online MLS in Compliance & Risk Management

Applicants for our online program in Compliance & Risk Management, including healthcare compliance, sports law compliance, corporate compliance, financial compliance, and data and cybersecurity should apply online at onlinelaw.seattleu.edu.

Application Requirements

Students must also submit the following with their online or PDF application

1. Personal Statement

   The personal statement must be between 500 and 1500 words. The statement must detail how your specific background, academic, and/or career experience informed your decision to pursue an MLS, why you are specifically interested in Seattle University School of Law, and how an MLS degree will help you achieve your career goals.

2. Resume
3. Letter of Recommendation

   A minimum of one (1) letter of recommendation from a current or former colleague, supervisor, or professor. The letter of recommendation may be uploaded or emailed with the contact information for the person writing the recommendation, or it may be emailed directly from the recommender to MLS@seattleu.edu.

4. Transcripts

   You must upload a copy of unofficial transcripts reflecting your undergraduate degree to be considered for admission; official transcripts must be sent directly to the law school from the institution via email to MLS@seattleu.edu.

If your undergraduate education was completed outside the United States you must submit your transcripts with a translation and evaluation from an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, such as FIS, WES, or Josef Silny & Associates. Alternately, you may apply online via LSAC and use the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) to evaluate your transcripts. The costs of translation and evaluation services are the responsibility of the student.

5. Scholarship Statement

   If you wish to be considered for a merit scholarship, please include a scholarship statement between 200 and 500 words discussing a specific contribution or achievement in your academic OR professional career, how your academic or career success is a result of your approach to educational or professional endeavors, or how you have overcome significant barriers to achieve your academic or professional goals.

6. Application Fee

   $65 nonrefundable application fee. The application fee is automatically waived for all students applying for spring term 2024.

Note: No standardized test (i.e. GRE, LSAT) is required for MLS admission.

Proof of English proficiency

International students must be proficient in spoken and written English.  We require you to take a TOEFL exam if:

• You are not a native English speaker.
• You do not hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution at which the primary language of instruction is English.

The following minimum scores are a prerequisite for program entry:

• Internet-based TOEFL exam: 100
• Computer-based TOEFL exam: 250
• IELTS exam: 7