1. Fill out the Application for Admission to Graduate Programs (pdf) and attach:

• personal statement indicating why you wish to pursue this degree
• legal writing sample
• letter of recommendation
• Undergraduate and JD transcripts (if not Cooley alumni)
• [For Self Directed program] Self Directed Outline + Faculty advisor

2. Generally, applications are processed within two weeks of submission. You will receive an email notification if information is missing from your application. Otherwise, you will receive an email notification of our final decision.

3. International Students: please apply through LSAC.org and submit your credentials for evaluation along with your TOEFL score. 

1. Fill out the Application for Admission to Graduate Programs (pdf) and attach:

• personal statement indicating why you wish to pursue this degree
• legal writing sample
• letter of recommendation
• Undergraduate and JD transcripts (if not Cooley alumni)
• [For Self Directed program] Self Directed Outline + Faculty advisor

2. Generally, applications are processed within two weeks of submission. You will receive an email notification if information is missing from your application. Otherwise, you will receive an email notification of our final decision.

3. International Students: please apply through LSAC.org and submit your credentials for evaluation along with your TOEFL score. 

The Self-Directed Program is focused on Cooley's mission of instilling knowledge, skills, and ethics in its students. To earn the degree, the student must successfully complete 14 knowledge credits, 3 teaching requirement credits, and 7 skills or ethics credits. The student completes an outline in addition to the application and follows it through the course of study. All graduate students must successfully complete 24 credits and have an overall cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 or better.

Knowledge Credits (14 credits). These credits are a combination of J.D. and/or LL.M. electives, directed study credits (2 credits max), and a Master's Thesis (2 credits mandatory) intended to bolster the student's knowledge of the subject area. The student will have the support of a full-time faculty advisor who teaches in the student's area of interest.

Teaching Requirement (mandatory 3 credits).The student will earn a total of 3 credits for co-teaching a J.D. elective course. The student must have superior knowledge of the class subject and will be expected to prepare, present, and grade materials. A student is eligible to undertake the teaching requirement once he or she has completed 12 credit hours.The student may be required to prepare for the J.D. elective during the term before the J.D. elective begins.

Skills or Ethics Credits (7 credits). The student's final 7 credits will be a combination of extemship work, skills classes, and ethics classes.

Please click here for further information about the curriculum.

The Self-Directed Program is focused on Cooley's mission of instilling knowledge, skills, and ethics in its students. To earn the degree, the student must successfully complete 14 knowledge credits, 3 teaching requirement credits, and 7 skills or ethics credits. The student completes an outline in addition to the application and follows it through the course of study. All graduate students must successfully complete 24 credits and have an overall cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 or better.

Knowledge Credits (14 credits). These credits are a combination of J.D. and/or LL.M. electives, directed study credits (2 credits max), and a Master's Thesis (2 credits mandatory) intended to bolster the student's knowledge of the subject area. The student will have the support of a full-time faculty advisor who teaches in the student's area of interest.

Teaching Requirement (mandatory 3 credits).The student will earn a total of 3 credits for co-teaching a J.D. elective course. The student must have superior knowledge of the class subject and will be expected to prepare, present, and grade materials. A student is eligible to undertake the teaching requirement once he or she has completed 12 credit hours.The student may be required to prepare for the J.D. elective during the term before the J.D. elective begins.

Skills or Ethics Credits (7 credits). The student's final 7 credits will be a combination of extemship work, skills classes, and ethics classes.

Please click here for further information about the curriculum.