Contact Info

Juris Doctor Admissions

Eligibility

WashU encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. WashU does not discriminate in access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.

To be considered for admission to WashU Law’s JD program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree (or the equivalent) from an accredited college or university and provide a valid and reliable admission test (LSAT, GRE, or JD-Next) score as required by the American Bar Association. While not required, for strongest consideration, applicants may submit the following: 1) a personal statement (no more than three pages in length); 2) a resume; 3) letters of recommendation (at least two letters of recommendation are strongly encouraged); and 4) addenda that clarify or elaborate on other pieces of the application and/or wholly new information for the admissions committee to consider.

WashU is responsible for confirming that visitors and students possess the necessary level of English language proficiency to succeed in their respective course of study and/or program. For details on English language proficiency requirements for applicants to WashU Law’s JD program, applicants should reference the WashU Office for International Students & Scholars website.

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).

Application Process

WashU Law boasts a $0 application fee for all. WashU Law offers two ways to submit an application to the JD program: 1) through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC); or 2) directly on the WashU Law website.

After a written application has been submitted, applicants may be invited to a virtual interview to further discuss their background and goals with a member of the admissions team. Interviews are by invitation only.

All admitted students are reviewed for scholarship awards, which consider both need and merit.

Admitted applicants are required to submit tuition deposits to secure their seats in the class and any scholarship award. The amounts and deadlines for said deposits can be found in WashU Law’s JD program Application Instructions.

Contact applylaw@wustl.edu if you have any questions about applying to law school or WashU Law.

Graduate & International Studies Admissions

Eligibility

WashU encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. WashU does not discriminate in access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.

To be considered for admission, all applicants must submit an online application and meet the specific degree requirements for their program of interest. While some materials are optional, they are highly recommended for a more competitive application.

Program-Specific Degree Requirements

  • Master of Legal Studies (MLS): Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university from the applicant's home country
  • Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Taxation: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university from the applicant's home country
  • LLM in U.S. Law*: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent first degree in law from the applicant's home country
  • Master of Laws: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent first degree in law from the applicant's home country or Juris Doctor (JD) from a U.S. law school
  • LLM in Taxation: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent first degree in law from the applicant's home country or Juris Doctor (JD) from a U.S. law school
  • LLM in Intellectual Property & Technology Law: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent first degree in law from the applicant's home country or Juris Doctor (JD) from a U.S. law school
  • Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD): LLM degree from a U.S. law school
*

Note for LLM in U.S. Law applicants: In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants intending to seek bar admission are encouraged to determine the requirements for their chosen jurisdiction by contacting the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE).

Application Materials and Supporting Documents

  • Transcripts: Provide copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. (Note: Official transcripts are required for all students upon enrollment in the program.)
  • Personal Statement: A statement of approximately 500 words detailing your interest in the program and professional goals
  • Resume or CV (Required for MLS): A current record of your professional and academic history
  • Letters of Recommendation (Optional): While not required, you may submit up to two letters of recommendation to support your application.
  • GPA Addendum: If your cumulative GPA from a prior degree is below 3.0, you are encouraged to submit an addendum to clarify or elaborate on the circumstances regarding your academic performance.
  • Research Proposal (Required for JSD): Submit a proposal with a summary and description of a research problem and its relevance to law.

WashU is responsible for confirming that visitors and students possess the necessary level of English language proficiency to succeed in their respective course of study and/or program. For details on English language proficiency requirements for applicants to WashU Law’s online programs, applicants should reference the WashU Office for International Students & Scholars website.

Application Process

WashU Law does not charge an application fee. Candidates should apply directly through our Online Application portal.

Admitted applicants are required to submit a tuition deposit to secure their seat in the class and any scholarship awards.

All admitted students are reviewed for scholarship awards. No separate documentation or additional application is required for this review; the Admissions Committee will evaluate an applicant's candidacy for scholarship based on their existing application materials.

Contact gradlaw@wustl.edu if you have any questions about applying to WashU Law.

Online Law Admissions

Eligibility

WashU encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. WashU does not discriminate in access to or treatment or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.

To be considered for admission, all applicants must submit an online application and meet the specific degree requirements for their program of interest. While some materials are optional, they are highly recommended for a more competitive application.

Program-Specific Degree Requirements

  • Master of Legal Studies (MLS): Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university
  • Master of Legal Studies (MLS) in Taxation: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in accounting, finance, or a related field or demonstrated professional experience in taxation
  • LLM in U.S. Law*: Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent first degree in law from the applicant's home country
  • LLM in Taxation: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and a Juris Doctor (JD)
*

Note for LLM in U.S. Law applicants: In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants intending to seek bar admission are encouraged to determine the requirements for their chosen jurisdiction by contacting the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE). 

Application Materials and Supporting Documents

  • Transcripts: Provide copies of transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. (Note: Official transcripts are required for all students upon enrollment in the program.)
  • Personal Statement: A statement of approximately 500 words detailing your interest in the program and professional goals
  • Resume or CV: A current record of your professional and academic history
  • Letters of Recommendation (Optional): While not required, you may submit up to two letters of recommendation to support your application.
  • GPA Addendum: If your cumulative GPA from a prior degree is below 3.0, you are encouraged to submit an addendum to clarify or elaborate on the circumstances regarding your academic performance.

WashU is responsible for confirming that visitors and students possess the necessary level of English language proficiency to succeed in their respective course of study and/or program. For details on English language proficiency requirements for applicants to WashU Law's online programs, applicants should reference the WashU Office for International Students & Scholars website.

Application Process

WashU Law boasts a $0 application fee for all. Candidates should apply directly through our Online Application portal.

After an application has been submitted, applicants will be invited to a virtual interview to further discuss their background and goals with a member of the admissions team. 

All admitted students are reviewed for scholarship awards, which consider both need and merit. No separate documentation or additional application is required for this review; the Admissions Committee will evaluate an applicant's candidacy for scholarship based on their existing application materials.

Admitted applicants are required to submit a $600 tuition deposit to secure their seat in the class and any scholarship award.

Contact onlinegradlaw@wustl.edu if you have any questions about applying to law school or WashU Law.