Juris Master (J.M.) Admission Standards
Florida State University College of Law is committed to enrolling highly qualified students from various professional and academic backgrounds who seek to develop legal knowledge and skills that support their career and educational goals.
The Admissions Committee conducts a comprehensive and individualized review of each application to identify students who will meaningfully contribute to our academic community and institution. The committee seeks candidates with relevant professional experience, strong academic performance, and a clear dedication to excelling in a challenging and engaging academic environment.
Academic and Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Florida State University College of Law J.M. Program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the international equivalent, earned prior to the start of classes.
Please note: Individuals who hold a non-accredited J.D., a J.D. from a U.S. law school accredited by the American Bar Association, or an LL.B. (or equivalent law degree) from a non-U.S. institution are not eligible to apply to the Juris Master Program. These candidates are encouraged to explore the Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program.
Florida State University encourages applications for admission from all qualified students. The FSU College of Law is committed to offering equality of opportunity for students, faculty, and staff without discrimination or segregation on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other protected group status in accordance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws on non-discrimination and equal opportunity.
Important Application Dates & Deadlines
FSU’s Juris Master Program accepts applications throughout the year in fall, spring, and summer. Please see below for application dates, deadlines, and term start dates.
| Application Term | Application Open Date | Application Deadline | First Day of the Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | February 1, 2025 | November 1, 2026 | January 7, 2026 |
| Summer 2026 | August 1, 2025 | March 1, 2026 | TBD |
| Fall 2026 | August 1, 2025 | July 1, 2026 | August 24, 2026 |
| Spring 2027 | February 1, 2026 | November 1, 2026 | January 6, 2027 |
The J.M. Admissions Team is dedicated to your success and is here to support you throughout the application process! To receive the fastest possible admissions decision, all applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application and required materials by the deadline listed below. However, if you’re interested in applying but the deadline for your desired term has passed, please contact our team to explore your options.
Application Checklist
The Application Checklist provides step-by-step guidance on how to complete your Juris Master application, including all required documents and materials. Please review it carefully before applying and follow the instructions to ensure your application is complete. If you have any questions or need assistance during the process, our team is here to help.
Step 1: Complete a Juris Master Application
- Begin your application today by entering the Graduate Admissions Portal.
- To select the Juris Master Program within the Degree Program Information section of the application, please choose the following options:
- Application Type/Academic Level: Law
- Campus Location: Online/Distance Learning
- Degree: Law – Juris Master
Important Note: Former J.M. students who have completed one or more semesters must complete their readmissions application through the College of Law. Please see the Readmissions to the Juris Master Program tab for more details.
Step 2: Navigate to Your Application Status Page
- After you submit your application, you will be routed to your Application Status Page. This page is where you will pay your application fee and upload the required application materials.
We recommend checking your status page often, as it will provide you with updates on your application. Please give at least 2-3 business days for your application to be marked ‘complete’ after completing/submitting all required application materials.
Step 3: Submit $30.00 Application Fee
- To pay, navigate to your Application Status Page and click the link to pay the application fee.
Application fees must be paid in order for the Admissions Committee can review your application. Please note that the application cannot be waived.
Step 4: Complete J.M. Statement of Purpose Form
- Applicants must complete the required J.M. Statement of Purpose form located within your Application Status Page. This form can be found under the header ‘forms.’ The J.M. Statement of Purpose includes three prompts (each prompt 200 words or less) and employment information questions.
Applicants should respond to the prompts as thoroughly and thoughtfully as possible, addressing their reasons for applying to the program, their professional goals, and any other information relevant to their interest in the Juris Master Program.
Please do not upload a PDF or Word document in lieu of completing the statement of purpose form.
Step 5: Upload Resume or CV
Applicants must provide an up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae (CV) that summarizes their professional and academic experience.
Step 6: Upload Academic Transcripts
- For applications to be reviewed, applicants are required to provide transcript copies (unofficial or official) from their bachelor's degree. If you are currently pursuing, recently pursued, or completed another graduate or professional degree, please also include a copy of your unofficial transcript.
- Unofficial transcripts must contain GPA information and degree conferral date (except for applicants in the last semester of their bachelor's degree or where no degree was earned).
- If admitted, applicants will then be required to provide official transcripts from all institutions where credit hours were earned. Please see the Official Transcripts Tab for further information.
Test Score Requirements
FSU is waiving the Graduate Record Examination Test (GRE) as a requirement for admission to certain master's and specialist degree programs for 2026 (Spring 2026, Summer 2026, and Fall 2026). GRE waivers will automatically apply to all J.M. applications for these terms.
If an applicant answers ‘Yes’ to any questions regarding academic misconduct or criminal charges (including law violations or felonies), a written explanation is required. This explanation must include a detailed description of the incident(s) and the outcome or disposition.
Omission of academic misconduct or criminal charges will result in an automatic denial or admission revocation.
- Answering ‘Yes,’ to these questions may prompt a request for additional documentation or background check. All requests will be sent via email to applicants from FSU’s Judicial Department at the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- The Juris Master Admissions Committee cannot begin reviewing an application until it has successfully cleared the initial FSU Judicial Review.
- In addition, applications who are cleared by FSU’s Judicial Department at the Office of Graduate Admissions must also undergo a separate judicial review conducted by the College of Law.
- Clearance from the Graduate Admissions Judicial Department does not guarantee clearance from the College of Law.
Former J.M. students who completed one or more semesters in the program must go through the J.M. College of Law Readmission Application in order to reapply for admission. Please do not complete an application through the Graduate Admissions Portal.
Once admitted to a program, applicants have until the first week of their first semester to submit their official transcripts. We recommend that you have official transcripts sent to FSU electronically to graduateadmissions@fsu.edu. If this is not an option, you may submit an official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college and/or university attended directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Please note that there may be a delay in processing transcripts that are sent via mail.
Official FSU transcripts or official transcripts already on file will be obtained by the Office of Admissions and added to the application record.
Office of Graduate Admissions address for mailing Official Transcripts:
Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S. Copeland St.
Westcott Bldg. Room 314
Tallahassee, FL. 32306-1410
USA
Official transcripts must be sent directly from your previous institution to FSU and cannot be uploaded on this page by the applicant. Additionally, official transcripts are required from every institution attended where credit hours were earned.
- Transfer credits posted on the records of other institutions are not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions. Official transcripts for these credits must also be submitted.
- Original documents or signed, officially certified photocopies of original documents may be submitted by the student only when institutions outside the United States will not send academic records to other institutions.
Please allow a few weeks for the FSU and/or Official Transcripts to reflect as received on your Application Status Page.
Transcript and Credential Evaluation Requirements:
International applicants or degrees earned from international institutions must submit their official transcripts through the Evaluation Company pathway portal, or from another NACES approved evaluator. The Evaluation Company has created a custom application for Florida State University that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. Florida State University recommends The Evaluation Company as our preferred credential evaluation because it offers an easy way to streamline the application process.
We recommend the evaluation be done by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
English Language Proficiency Requirement:
Official English language proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. The following are the minimum scores required for admission to the University:
- Internet-based TOEFL (IBTOEFL): 80
- Paper-based TOEFL (TOEFL): 550
- International English Language Testing System (Academic IELTS): 6.5
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): 55
- Duolingo: 120 (Summer 2022 >)
- Cambridge C1 Advanced Level: 180 (Fall 2022 >)
- Michigan Language Assessment: 55 (Fall 2022 >)
Although official scores are required, your application can be reviewed with self-reported scores while we wait for the official scores to arrive. You can upload self-reported scores under the "Additional Documents" section of the application.
- If admitted, applicants are required to have official scores sent to FSU. These scores are considered official only when sent directly to Florida State University College of Law or LSAC from the testing agency. After two years, they are no longer valid.
- The English language proficiency requirement can be waived, at the university level, for applicants who have earned a minimum of a B.A. or higher in the U.S. or in an English-speaking country.
- Countries exempt from the English Language Proficiency Requirement: Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Christmas Islands, Cocos (Keeling Island), Cook Islands, Dhekelia, Dominica, Eritrea, Eswatini, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Guyana, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, North Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha, St. Kitts, and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sint Maarten, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tonga, Tuvalu, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe
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.
The Juris Master Program encourages applicants to submit any of the following documents to enhance their application and provide information to the admissions committee. The admissions committee considers these items during the application review process if submitted.
- Academic addendum. You may include an academic addendum explaining any circumstances that you believe may have negatively affected your undergraduate GPA or performance.
- Unofficial copies of language proficiency tests.
- Letters of recommendation.