Kara Sears
Michigan State University College of Law, or MSU Law, offers a variety of opportunities for prospective law students. The university takes a holistic approach to the application review process, considering all aspects of a student's application, including LSAT scores, academic records, and skills developed through work experience. MSU Law offers scholarships, some of which cover full tuition, and accepts transfer applications from students who have completed a minimum of 18 credits of law school coursework at an ABA-accredited law school. The maximum time for completion of graduation requirements is 7 years, and students must apply for graduation through the Student Information System. MSU Law also offers an MJ degree for students who choose not to complete their JD program.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the degree | Juris Doctor (JD) |
| Location | Michigan |
| University | Michigan State University College of Law |
| Semester start | Fall |
| Enrollment flexibility | No spring enrollment or summer early start program |
| LSAT score requirements | No minimum LSAT score required for acceptance |
| Scholarships | Yes, ranging from partial to full tuition coverage |
| Part-time program | No |
| GPA requirements | Overall GPA is important, but the application review process focuses on the entire undergraduate record |
| Transfer applications | Yes, with a minimum of 18 credits of law school coursework from an ABA-accredited law school |
| Maximum credits granted for courses completed at other law schools | 43 credit hours |
| Maximum time for completion of requirements | 84 months (7 years) |
| Graduation application | To be submitted in the Student Information System (SIS) at student.msu.edu |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships and fees
Michigan State University College of Law (MSU Law) offers a generous scholarship program for incoming students. All applicants who are offered admission are considered for a scholarship before the offer is extended, and there is no separate application for the scholarship. The scholarships range in value all the way up to full-tuition coverage.
The total budget for the 2022-2023 academic year is $61,724 for 1L students (plus a $200 RWA Lab fee) and $62,149 for 3L students (plus a $625 bar exam fee), with the total cost being $66,284 for both years.
MSU Law also accepts transfer applications. To be eligible, an applicant must have completed a minimum of 18 credits of law school coursework at an ABA-accredited law school. If admitted, MSU Law may grant a maximum of 43 credit hours for courses completed at other law schools with a grade of "C" or higher.
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Application process
Yes, you can get your law degree at Michigan State University (MSU). The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate law programs through its College of Law.
Now, let's discuss the application process for the different law degree programs at MSU in detail:
If you're interested in pursuing an undergraduate law degree at MSU, you can choose from various options, including the
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Student visits
Michigan State University College of Law offers a variety of opportunities for prospective students to visit the campus. These visits can be through organized preview days or individualized visits. The former is a great way to get a general overview of the campus, while the latter allows for a more personalized experience.
To plan an individualized visit, simply fill out the online request form. This option is ideal for those who want a more tailored experience or who may have specific queries about the law program. During an individualized visit, prospective students can meet with current students and faculty, attend a class, and tour the campus. This provides a more intimate view of the campus and allows visitors to ask questions and receive information that is tailored to their specific interests and needs.
For those who prefer a more structured and organized experience, preview days are a great option. These are scheduled on specific dates throughout the year, and visitors can find information about upcoming preview days on the events page of the Michigan State University College of Law website. Preview days typically include a welcome and introduction from the admissions team, a campus tour, and the opportunity to attend an informational session about the law program. It is a great way to meet other prospective students and to get a general feel for the campus and the law program.
In addition to these visit options, prospective students can also refer to the website for answers to frequently asked questions. The website provides information on a range of topics, including admissions requirements, transfer credits, scholarships, graduation requirements, and more. For instance, prospective students can learn about the LSAT score requirements, the application review process, and the opportunity to submit a brief addendum explaining any exceptional circumstances that may have impacted their undergraduate performance. With a holistic approach to admissions, the university considers various factors beyond just academic performance, including work experience and life skills.
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Graduation requirements
Michigan State University College of Law offers a variety of opportunities for prospective students to visit the campus and learn more about the institution. The law school requires all J.D. students to begin classes during the Fall semester, and transfer applications are also accepted.
To graduate from Michigan State University College of Law, students must complete all the necessary requirements within 84 months (7 years) of commencing their law studies. Students must apply for graduation in the Student Information System (SIS) and review their degree requirements to ensure eligibility.
For class honours, students must have received a minimum of 53 credits from classes taken at MSU College of Law, excluding those taken on a Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit basis, and credits from other schools. To graduate with honours, students entering prior to Fall 2017 must achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25. The specific grade ranges for each level of honours (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude) are outlined on the MSU website.
Additionally, MSU Law has specific regulations regarding distance education credit hours. Students are limited to a maximum of four credit hours of distance education without approval from the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, and only 12 credit hours total will be granted toward the J.D. degree for distance education courses.
The MJ degree is another option for students who choose not to complete their JD program. This degree provides a credential that may enhance marketability for jobs that do not require a JD but prefer some legal training. The MJ degree requirements include completing the first-year curriculum and a 2-credit Directed Study, totalling 30 credits, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
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Transfer applications
Michigan State University College of Law (MSU Law) does accept transfer applications. To be eligible to submit a transfer application, an applicant must have completed a minimum of 18 credits of law school coursework at an ABA-accredited law school. While a holistic review process is used, heavy emphasis is placed on law school GPA and class rank. If you are admitted, MSU Law could grant a maximum of 43 credit hours for courses completed at other law schools when a grade of "C" or higher is earned.
Admission decisions for transfer applicants are made on a rolling basis, typically within four weeks after your application file is complete. MSU Law requires all J.D. students to begin classes during the Fall semester. At this time, they do not offer a summer early start program nor allow spring enrollment.
While MSU Law receives all of your LSAT scores as part of your application materials from LSAC, they use your highest score when considering your application for admission. There is no minimum LSAT score that is required for acceptance, and there is no LSAT score that guarantees acceptance. The median LSAT score for the previous incoming class will give you a good indication of the competitive nature of the applicant pool. If you are not satisfied with your initial LSAT score, you are encouraged to consider taking the test a second time. You can also demonstrate your potential through your past academic record and even skills developed through past work experience.
In any term, the College will not grant a student more than the permitted number of distance education credit hours as set forth in the ABA Standards for Approval of Law Schools, or as set forth in approved variances from the Standards. Students may not enroll in more than four credit hours of distance education without the approval of the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs. No more than a cumulative total of 12 credit hours will be granted toward the J.D. degree for distance education courses.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can get your law degree at MSU. The university offers a Juris Doctor (JD) program and a Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) degree.
All applicants to the JD program at MSU Law are required to take the LSAT. While there is no minimum LSAT score required for acceptance, the median LSAT score for the incoming class is a good indicator of the competitiveness of the applicant pool. Additionally, MSU Law requires all JD students to begin classes during the Fall semester.
Yes, MSU Law offers a generous scholarship program for incoming students. Scholarships range in value up to full tuition, and all applicants who are offered admission are automatically considered for scholarships.
The maximum time for completion of the JD program at MSU Law is 84 months (7 years). To be eligible for class honors upon graduation, a student must have received at least 53 credits from classes taken at MSU Law, excluding those taken on a Pass/Fail or Credit/No Credit basis.
Yes, MSU Law offers a variety of opportunities for prospective students to visit the campus through organized preview days or individualized visits. You can find more information about upcoming preview days on the events page of the MSU Law website.
