M.S.L. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When is the deadline for applying to the Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L.) program?

We do not actually have a "deadline," but priority will be given to those who apply by March 15.

2. Is there a seat fee for the program?

We will not require a seat deposit.

3. What careers would be available or would a student be able to obtain by having this master's degree?

The program is designed primarily for students who have already established a career in a profession where they will benefit from having an additional background in legal studies. For example, this includes a very wide range such as people who administer human resources programs for businesses or other organizations, social workers, people involved in criminal justice, people subject to a broad range of government regulations, or people who are involved in fields that parallel any of our current areas of concentration (i.e., family law, government law, oil and gas, or business and transactional activity). We work with each student to design a program that is best suited to the student's background and professional interests.

4. I would really like to go to law school. My concern is, if I choose to go into the M.S.L. program, complete it, and then decide to attend Washburn Law's J.D. program, will I have to retake the LSAT? Or, can I go directly into law school by just applying?

You should know that the program is not designed for students who would really prefer to go to law school and to practice law. American Bar Association accreditation policies generally prohibit us from transferring credit from our M.S.L. program towards completion of a J.D. degree. With that understanding, you would generally not have to retake the LSAT as long as you took the LSAT within a reasonable time prior to applying to the J.D. program. The law school would, however, still consider your prior LSAT as a factor in your application for admission so it might be to your advantage to retake the LSAT if you have a marginal score. Generally, we only consider your best LSAT score when evaluating your application for admission to law school.