International Students
We welcome international applicants to the Master of Legal Studies program. This page outlines important information for prospective students from abroad, which should be used in conjunction with our admission page.
Please note that the M.L.S. program was designed for people that do not intend to practice law. International lawyers who wish to sit for a U.S. bar exam should pursue an LL.M. degree, not an M.L.S. degree. However, international lawyers seeking to learn about the U.S. legal system but who do not want to be a licensed attorney in the U.S. can benefit from an online, affordable M.L.S. degree from SMU Dedman Law.
If you have any questions, please contact an admissions counselor at 855-741-1818.
English language proficiency test scores for international students
Applicants must meet the University’s admission requirements for English language proficiency. Applicants who do not speak English as their native language are required to supply one of the following test scores with their application:
- TOEFL English language proficiency test: 80 or higher
- IELTS English competency test: 6.5 or higher
- Duolingo English Test (DET): 110 or higher
- TOEFL Essentials exam: 8.5 with a minimum score of 8 in all subsections
SMU’s ETS (TOEFL) school code is 6660.
Request information
To download a program brochure and learn more about the online Master of Legal Studies offered by Southern Methodist University, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an admissions counselor directly by calling us at 855-741-1818.