Application Requirements

Candidates for our online Master of Legal Studies, Master of Dispute Resolution, and Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution programs come from a wide range of backgrounds. Because of the diversity of candidates’ careers and skill sets, the admissions committee takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications. This means that both the applicant’s professional experience and academic background are taken into consideration for admission.

For the online Master of Legal Studies and online Master of Dispute Resolution, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required for admission.

For the online Master of Laws in Dispute Resolution, a JD or first professional degree in law is required for admission. Additionally, domestic applicants must submit their class rank or a document from their school stating they do not issue class ranks. International applicants must submit evaluated transcripts and confirmation of their English fluency by submitting a TOEFL or IELTS score. Applicants can request a Skype interview in lieu of submitting a score.

To apply to a Pepperdine Caruso School of Law online program, applicants to all programs must submit:

The application fee for our online programs is $50 and is nonrefundable. Candidates who submit their applications by the priority deadline can take advantage of an application fee waiver.

Official, sealed transcripts are required for degree-bearing records; however, unofficial transcripts are allowed for the full academic record. Transcripts can be mailed to the following address:

Pepperdine University
Application Processing Center
Law@Pepperdine
PO Box 30096 012-001
College Station, TX 77842

It is common for academic institutions to issue transcripts electronically, either through their own web services or through vendors. If this option is available, applicants should specify that transcript(s) be sent to applicationservices@onlinelaw.pepperdine.edu. If listed as an option through a vendor, select Pepperdine University—School of Law Online. This will expedite the delivery of transcripts, allowing candidates to complete their applications sooner.

Veterans or active-duty military personnel can now send transcripts electronically through the Joint Services Transcript (JST) database. To request military transcripts online, log on to the Joint Services Transcript website and select “Pepperdine Law Online Programs.”

International applicants may be required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores as well as a World Education Services (WES) evaluation of any foreign transcripts if credits were earned at an international institution outside of a study-abroad program.

Please note: To be considered an official transcript, the transcript must be sent directly from your institution(s) or through an electronic transcript vendor retained by that institution. Transcripts submitted by enrolled or prospective students are considered unofficial documents, even if they are in a sealed envelope provided to you by the issuing university.

Students applying to the online Master of Legal Studies, Master of Dispute Resolution, and Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution programs must include one letter of recommendation in their application. 

The letter of recommendation should be from people who can provide a meaningful assessment of a candidate’s character and ability, such as a manager, community leader, professor, faculty member, academic advisor, or mentor.

All applicants may choose to provide one additional letter of recommendation.

Applicants for the online Master of Legal Studies and Master of Dispute Resolution programs are required to write a one-page personal statement that indicates their reasons for pursuing a master’s at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. The statement may include the applicant’s personal, academic, and professional background and explain how Pepperdine’s mission integrates with their own motivations for earning this degree. Review our mission and vision information.

Applicants for the Master of Laws (LLM) in Dispute Resolution are not required to write a statement of purpose.

Candidates should submit a current resumé or curriculum vitae (CV) that details relevant professional and academic experience, including any awards or honors received and volunteer work.

To ensure your transcripts and associated materials are received for review, please make sure to send them directly to applicationservices@onlinelaw.pepperdine.edu.

In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates will also participate in a video interview conducted over the virtual platform by an admissions counselor.

Our admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. There are typically three cohort start dates per year and two deadlines for each cohort—priority and final. Students who submit an application by the priority deadline will receive an earlier admissions decision, allowing them to register for classes sooner.