Application Instructions
Master of Studies in Law (MSL) Degree - On Campus

Designed for both seasoned and early-career professionals, our on campus Master of Studies in Law (MSL) helps meet the growing demand for non-lawyers to be familiar with numerous ways that law and policy influence business and industry. Both the applicant's professional experience and academic background are taken into consideration for admission.

Dates and Deadlines

USC Gould School of Law offers two starts in fall and spring. International students who will enter on student visas are permitted to enroll in the fall semester only on a full-time basis.

Below are the upcoming start dates and application deadlines:

Program Start Date and First Day of Classes	Priority Application Deadline	Final Application Deadline
Fall 2019: August 26, 2019	March 1, 2019	June 1, 2019
Spring 2020: January 13, 2020	October 1, 2019	November 1, 2019

Applications will be accepted through the deadlines listed above. We highly encourage you to apply by our priority deadline to provide sufficient time to process your required documents.

Application Process

To apply for admission, the following information and documents must be submitted:

1. USC Gould or LSAC Application
   

   Note: Once you start your online application by clicking above, you may be directed to complete your application through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). If you have earned (or will earn) a degree from outside of the U.S., applicable instructions and links will then be provided within the USC Gould application.

2. Personal Statement
   

   Following the directions provided in your online application, provide a two- or three-page document that includes your personal, academic, and professional background and your reasons for pursuing the on campus MSL degree. If you have prior education or experience that you feel will benefit you in your MSL degree studies, please include a paragraph or two to tell us about it.

3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   

   Following the directions provided in your online application, provide a record of your employment history and list of any distinctions, publications, and licenses/credentials.

4. Official Transcripts and Degree Verification
   

   You must have earned your bachelor's degree by the time you enroll at USC Gould. No law degree is required.

   Following the directions provided in your online application, submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.

   Domestic Applicants: If all of your degrees are from within the U.S., you must submit official transcripts directly to USC Gould at the address below or by email to msl@law.usc.edu. Official transcripts must be received directly from the institutions.

   Master of Studies in Law (MSL) - On Campus
   USC Gould School of Law
   699 Exposition Boulevard, Room 336
   Los Angeles, California 90089-0071

   International Applicants: If you hold any degree from outside the U.S, you must submit official transcripts to LSAC for evaluation using its International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service (ITAES). Please note that the fee for ITAES is $135 and that LSAC will charge $30 for sending your Law School Report to USC. You must also subscribe to LSAC's Document Assembly Service (DAS). The fee for DAS is $85 and is effective for a period of five years.

5. English Proficiency
   

   If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must take the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL/IELTS waiver requests will only be considered if (1) your native language is English, or (2) you possess an undergraduate degree from an institution in which English is the primary language of instruction.

   • USC Gould does not have a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score; however, we recommend a 90 TOEFL iBT and a 7.0 IELTS or above.
   • Please have your official scores sent to LSAC if you submit your application through LSAC. Their institutional code is 8395.
   • Test scores are valid for two years from the date taken.

Admission to the on campus MSL does not require letters of recommendation, nor any LSAT or GRE exam scores. Prior exposure to or experience in law is not required.

The Admissions Committee will not review your application until all transcripts and supporting documents are received. It is your responsibility to ensure that all of your documents are submitted by the final application deadline. Be sure to regularly check the email address you have provided on the application in the event that the Admissions Committee request additional materials or information.

Decisions

You will receive an admissions decision within four weeks of submitting your completed application. Admission decisions are sent by email and postal mail. No admission decisions will be released by telephone.