Who is this degree intended for?
The degree is intended for experienced non-lawyer professionals who seek to acquire a legal foundation to advance their careers, as well as professionals who intend to switch careers and newcomers to the job market who aim to obtain a strong legal foundation to begin careers in highly regulated industries such as banking, insurance, financial advising, consumer lending, and health care.
Can I practice law with a Juris Master degree?
No, the online Juris Master degree is for students who are interested in a law-related field or career path but do not intend to become a licensed attorney. If you are interested in becoming a licensed attorney, so as to be able to provide legal advice and services to clients, we encourage you to apply to our J.D. program.
Is the Juris Master degree an LL.M. degree for lawyers?
No. The Juris Master degree is not an LL.M. degree for lawyers. The degree is intended for those who do not intend to become a licensed, practicing attorney and have not earned a Juris Doctor. Applicants who possess a non-accredited J.D. or a J.D. from a U.S. law school accredited by the American Bar Association or an LL.B. or the equivalent law degree from a non-U.S. college, university, or law school are ineligible to apply to the Juris Master Program. Individuals who already hold a first degree in law should consider the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program.
Is the Juris Master Program accredited?
Yes. The J.M. Program is accredited by SACSCOC, the institution-wide accrediting body for institutions of higher education in the southeastern US. The J.M. Program’s SACS accreditation was reaffirmed in 2014. For more information regarding our accreditation, please see here.
Furthermore, since the American Bar Association (ABA) only accredits Juris Doctor degree programs the J.M. degree is not ABA accredited.
- SACSCOC is recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Please refer to the following website: https://www.chea.org/regional-accrediting-organizations
- Florida State University is also listed as an accredited Postsecondary Institution in the US Department of Education database: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/institution-profile/109484
Does the online Juris Master program offer specific concentrations?
The online Juris Master program offers concentrations in Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Technology Risk Management; Employment Law and HR Risk Management; Financial Regulation and Compliance; Health Care Regulation; and Legal Risk Management, Contracting, and Compliance. Students can choose from one of these five areas to complete the program.
Can I transfer graduate credit hours into the Juris Master program?
Students may transfer up to six credit hours from another master's in law program—e.g., Juris Master, Master of Science in Laws (MSL), Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degrees, or a J.D. program. Transfer credits will be evaluated by the Associate Dean for Juris Master Programs. A grade of "B" or better must have been earned in any courses reviewed for transfer credit. To have your law school transcripts reviewed, please email a copy to law-jurismaster@law.fsu.edu.
After completing the online Juris Master degree, will I be able to transfer these credits toward the Juris Doctor degree?
No. Currently, according to ABA standards, a law school may only grant credit for courses undertaken as a Juris Doctor degree student. Therefore, credits earned toward the Juris Master degree are not transferrable toward a J.D. degree.
What are the admissions requirements and application deadlines?
Please visit our Juris Master Admissions Procedures page for information regarding the application requirements and deadlines for the program.
Is the GRE, LSAT, or GMAT required?
The GRE and GMAT are the preferred tests for JM applicants. The GRE/GMAT test score requirement is being waived until 2025. The school code to have official GRE or GMAT scores sent to Florida State University is 5219. We will accept an existing LSAT score; however, applicants should not take the LSAT if they plan to apply only to the JM program. Waivers can be granted on a case-by-case basis. The waiver is requested online before you apply and submitted with the application.
Do I need to take an English Language Proficiency Test?
Yes, if you did not receive your education in an English-speaking institution. Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL scores of 80 on the Internet-based, 213 on the computer-based, and 550 on the paper-based test are required. You can find more information regarding this requirement within our Admission Procedures.
Am I eligible for financial aid and/or other opportunities?
Yes. Degree-seeking online students are eligible for the same financial aid as campus-based students if they register for six or more hours per semester. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to satisfy the first requirement requested by the Financial Aid Office. Florida State University's FAFSA school code is 001489.
For financial aid and other funding opportunities, please see the Juris Master Online Tuition & Financial Aid page.
As an employee of Florida State University or the state of Florida, am I eligible for the FSU Employee Tuition Waiver or State of Florida Employee Educational Assistance Program (Tuition Waiver)?
No, unfortunately, the courses offered through the College of Law are not eligible for the tuition waiver program. However, the College of Law offers a one-time, non-renewable scholarship for a maximum of six credits to full-time, salaried employees of Florida State University, the State of Florida, or a Florida public institution of higher education.
Eligible applicants will be provided with information on how to apply at the time of admittance. For further questions, please email us at jmadmissions@law.fsu.edu.
I am a non-Florida resident. Am I eligible for the Out-of-State Tuition Scholarship?
Yes! Students that reside anywhere outside of Florida are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants will be provided with information on how to apply at the time of admittance. If awarded, this scholarship covers $266.79 per credit hour and remains continuous for the duration of the program as long as the student maintains eligibility.
How many credit hours are there for the online Juris Master degree program?
The online Juris Master degree requires 30 credit hours, in which nine credit hours are for required core courses.
How long does it take to earn the online Juris Master degree?
You can typically complete the online Juris Master degree within four to five semesters. However, there is no set time frame for completion. The typical online Juris Master student takes 6-9 credits per semester.
What is the typical course load?
Students in the online Juris Master program typically register for 6-9 credits each semester. Each online class is three credits.
Are courses for the Juris Master degree taught by the same professors that teach the courses for the Juris Doctor degree?
Yes, coupled with prominent industry experts.
Can I take on-campus courses?
Yes. However, before enrolling in any on-campus courses, students must receive approval from the Dean, and all health insurance and immunization requirements must be met. Contact University Health Services.
How will I choose and register for classes?
Students will receive detailed registration information each term. Additionally, our J.M. advisors are available to counsel students on their program goals and course selection.
How do I obtain an FSU ID Card?
To obtain your initial FSUCard, submit your card application and photo online through the FSUCard online photo submission system. Once approved, an email will be sent to your FSU email account with instructions on how to obtain your card. Visit the FSUCard website to learn more about FSUCard services.
Note: Cards are not available on the same day as submission. Please allow one to two business days after photo acceptance for card processing.
Who do I contact with additional questions?
Contact us at jmadmissions@law.fsu.edu or 850-644-7591.