/ Center for Animal Law Studies/Degree Programs/MSL Program/Admissions

Animal Law MSL Admissions

The information below is specific to our in-person program. For details regarding our online MSL, please see our online Animal Law MSL program site.

We are now accepting applications for the in-person MSL Program for the 2025-2026 academic year! Submit your application here.

MSL Program Qualifications

Admission to the Animal Law MSL program is competitive. Applicants must hold or obtain by the start of their matriculation a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or international institution. Neither an LSAT nor GRE score is required to apply.

Applications are evaluated holistically. Factors taken into consideration include an applicant’s scholarly capacity, academic performance, work history, strength of references, and engagement with animal law or advocacy issues. CALS welcomes applications from international applicants who wish to learn more about animal law in the U.S. legal system and how the U.S. framework compares to and can help to effect change in other jurisdictions.

Application Materials

Applicants are asked to supply:

A statement of interest (up to 500 words);
A writing sample (up to 20 pages);
A resume or CV (up to 5 pages);
Transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended; and
Two letters of recommendation.
Demonstration of English proficiency for international applicants whose native language is not English. This requirement can be met in one of the following ways:
1. if English was the primary language of their university education and the official language of the country in which the university is located;
2. if English was the primary language of their university education and if their university is accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency;
3. a minimum IELTS score of 8; or
4. a minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 100.

Application Deadlines

The in-person Animal Law MSL program admits students for the Fall term only. The application deadline is Feb. 1 of that year. Subsequent application cycles normally open in November of the prior year.

Admissions Decisions

The Admissions Committee reviews applications only once the application deadline has passed and contacts applicants within 1-2 months. For efficiency and environmental reasons, email is used to communicate with candidates.

Questions

If you have additional questions about our admissions process, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions page. If your question is not addressed there or if you would like additional information, please contact the Animal Law Program Coordinator, Danielle Lopez, at cals@lclark.edu.