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College of Law

Master of Studies in Law (M.L.W.) Detailed Requirements

The Master of Studies in Law (M.L.W.) degree does not qualify the holder to sit for a bar examination or practice law, nor will it be considered as a qualifier for entry into the J.D. program. Classes taken toward the M.L.W. degree will under no circumstances be later applied toward a J.D. degree.

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission into the Master of Studies in Law graduate program, students must have a bachelor’s degree and a completed application that includes official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

Students educated outside of the U.S. must also submit a TOEFL score. Otherwise, submission of LSAT, GRE, GMAT, or MCAT scores is optional. If testing is required, register for that test as soon as possible so that official scores are released to The University of Toledo before the application deadline.

Application Process

  • Application - The application for the Master of Studies in Law program is at apply.utoledo.edu.
  • Personal Statement - A personal statement is required. We seek information about the applicant’s unique qualities, talents, successes, achievements, interests, and life experiences as well as his or her professional goals as they relate to the Master of Studies in Law program.
  • Resume - A resume with academic, extracurricular, and professional activities is required. Highlight honors, awards, or special skills.
  • Letters of Recommendation - Two letters of recommendation are required. Letters of recommendation can come from scholastic or professional acquaintances. It is most helpful when recommenders address the applicant's character, academic background, analytical abilities, and communication skills.
  • Academic Transcripts - Applicants are required to submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions of higher education they attended.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Studies in Law program requires students to successfully complete 30 credit hours. The program is offered on both a full-time and part-time schedule. M.L.W. students must complete the four required courses below.

  1. Law and the Legal System (fall semester, 2-3 credit hours)
  2. Lawyering Skills I (fall semester, 2 credit hours)
  3. One additional first-year course (typically fall semester, 3-4 credit hours)
  4. One seminar or independent research project (2-3 credit hours)

For full-time M.L.W. students, Law and the Legal System, Lawyering Skills I, and the additional first-year course must be taken in the fall semester of the first year. For the additional first-year course, students can choose from courses such as Property, Torts, Civil Procedure, or Contracts.

Program Timeline

Master of Studies in Law students are able to take either a full-time or part-time course load. Full-time students can complete the program in as little as one year (15 credits per semester fall/spring), whereas part-time students can span their studies over multiple years. Part-time students are still able to work full-time and continue their education.

Sample Tracks

The College of Law offers coursework in a wide variety of subject matter. Master of Studies in Law students are able to tailor their classes to cover a specific area of interest or track. Students will work with the associate dean for academic affairs to design an individual and flexible program that covers their specific area of interest.

  • Health Care (Health Law, Public Health Law)
  • Criminal Justice (Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure)
  • Trust and Estates (Trusts and Estates, Estate and Gift Tax)
  • Business (Business Associations)
  • Human Resources (Employment Law, Employment Discrimination)

Grading

Master of Studies in Law students will take law classes alongside J.D. students. However, M.L.W. students will be graded on the College of Graduate Studies grading scale, not the J.D. grading scale.

The College of Law permits M.L.W. students to earn up to six credit hours of graduate-level courses in a related field from other institutions offering graduate programs. To transfer the credits toward the M.L.W. degree, the student must earn a B (or Satisfactory if graded on a Satisfactory/No Credit basis) in the non-law graduate course.

Tuition & Fees

As a state-supported university, different rates of tuition are charged based on your classification as an Ohio resident or non-Ohio resident. Please see information about residency determinations if you have any questions. For complete and up-to-date information on tuition, fees, and university policies, please refer to the UToledo Office of the Treasurer for details on graduate programs.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial aid will be available to qualified Master of Studies in Law students in the form of student loans. There are no scholarships for M.L.W. students at this time.

Application

To submit your application, visit apply.utoledo.edu.

Questions?

Please contact the Law Admissions Office.

Last Updated: 6/27/22