MLS Applicants

Willamette’s Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Program is a one-year master’s program designed for professionals whose job involves working within a legal or regulatory framework.

How to Apply

All MLS candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Admission will be offered to applicants on the basis of several factors, including undergraduate academic record, professional experience and expected commitment to the MLS program.

There is no application fee. The application should be submitted online. It may also be downloaded as a PDF document (MLS Admission Application) and submitted to mls-admissions@willamette.edu.

When to Apply

Applications are reviewed and decisions made on a rolling basis, and applications will be accepted as long as there is seat availability. For best consideration, prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. 

Application Materials & Requirements

Official, Certified Academic Records

All MLS applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited American college or university or its equivalent from a foreign university. Official transcripts must be sent with degree conferred. All transcripts or other academic records must be official documents bearing the registrar's signature or the institution's seal. If transcripts are not in English, a certified English translation must accompany the original. WES (wes.org/students/icap/asp) and AACRAO (aacrao.org) offer these types of transcript evaluation services.

Personal Statement

Applicants must submit a written statement discussing your qualification and intentions for pursuing an MLS degree from the College of Law. The statement must be in English.

Resume

A resume or CV is a required component of a completed application. The resume is not a substitute for the personal statement.

Letter of Recommendation

At least one, but no more than two, letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation should be written by individuals who can attest to the applicant's aptitude and intellectual capability for an academically rigorous program.


Scholarship

Partial merit scholarships are available for highly qualified students entering the MLS program. All admitted MLS students will be automatically considered for merit scholarships, based on previous academic performance and professional experience. There is no separate application for scholarships.


Additional Requirements for International Applicants

Your I-20 is an important key to your port of entry into the United States. You will present the I-20 along with your passport and visa to an immigration officer at your point of entry to the United States.

To satisfy immigration requirements, English language proficiency must be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
  • TOEFL (Internet-based): 88
  • TOEFL (paper-based): 570
  • IELTS: 7.0 
  • Satisfactory completion of the LSAT with a score sufficient to gain academic admission (JD only).
  • Successful completion of the highest level of an accredited English language program.  
  • Successful completion of a degree from an English-speaking institution.
  • Successful completion of an English language interview (by invitation only).

All international students must show they have sufficient resources to fund educational and living expenses for at least one year of full-time study. You must show at least $61,860 in liquid funds with current bank statements or a guarantee of financial support from your sponsor (if applicable).  See the Tuition and Financial Aid page for a detailed list of tuition and fees.

Please complete the Statement of Financial Responsibility form and upload copies of your financial documents and a copy of your passport and the passport(s) of any dependent(s) who will join you in the United States.

International students currently in the United States with an F-1 visa must ask the advisor at their current school to complete and return the WU F-1 Transfer In Form

Please contact our office with any questions about this process.

Willamette University

College of Law

Address
Office of Admissions
245 Winter Street SE
Salem Oregon 97301 U.S.A.
Phone
(503) 370-6282

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