Juris Master Degree Program (For Non-Lawyers)

The JM program is available with both 100% online and hybrid online/on-campus concentrations. You will build your expertise with foundational training in the U.S. legal system before developing an independent specialization with courses tailored to your specific career goals.

• Criminal Justice
  Criminal justice advocates will gain insight into how the system functions and areas that are ripe for reform.
  The program is ideal for candidates seeking senior careers in public service, public policy, criminal justice, and criminal justice reform.
• Government Contracts & Regulation
  Government contractors will gain a competitive edge by understanding the regulations and requirements of working with federal and state agencies.
  The program is ideal for executive leaders and executive path professionals working in sales, finance, operations, project management, and government procurement.
• National Security, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
  Systems engineers will become experts in the law governing infrastructure and internet protections in the United States.
  This program is ideal for public servants, government contractors, policy makers, and IT professionals on the front lines of technological advancement, system preparedness, and/or public policy, governance, and rulemaking.
• Financial & Commercial Services
  Finance administrators will acquire knowledge to better draft and enforce financial and commercial policy, risk management, regulation, and accountability.
  The program is ideal for executive leaders and executive path professionals working in sales, finance, operations, project management, and government procurement.

The Juris Master (JM) Degree Program at George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School provides professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent across a wide variety of career specializations deeper understanding of the U.S. legal system and the various ways in which it affects their work. With four available concentrations, each program of study provides targeted learning paths tailored to support motivated professionals on their leadership journey. Students are required to complete 15 credits of required core curriculum before moving into course work for their selected concentration elective.

To earn the JM degree, students must complete:

• 15 credits of required Core Curriculum
• 15 credits specific to your chosen concentration

Core Curriculum (15 Credits)

• Introduction to U.S. Law for Juris Master Students
• Legal Research & Writing for Juris Master Students
• Economics for Lawyers
• Contracts for Juris Master Students
• Capstone
  (Students will select their own topic within their field of employment and pursue material directly related to their profession on which they will write a thesis under faculty supervision.)

Concentration Curricula (15 Credits)

• Administrative Law
• Antitrust I: Principles
• Business Associations
• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure: Adjudication
• Criminal Procedure: Investigation
• Cybersecurity Law Seminar
• Digital Information Policy Seminar
• Emerging Law of Internet Privacy Seminar
• Environmental Law
• Evidence
• Family Law
• Federal Budget Law Seminar
• Government Contracts
• Homeland Security Law Seminar
• Immigration Law
• Intellectual Property
• International Law
• National Security Law
• Perspectives on Regulation
• Privacy and Information Security Law
• Property
• Prosecuting Terrorism & Cases Involving National Security Seminar
• Regulated Industries
• Remedies
• Surveillance Law Seminar

Sample Schedule

Tuition and Estimated Costs

Visit our Tuition and Costs - Graduate Programs page for current information and helpful links.

Information about tuition and fee structures, paying your bill, setting up a payment plan, and more are handled by the Student Accounts Office.

To apply for in-state tuition, please complete and submit the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates

Note: Most questions about in-state classification can be answered through Domicile Appeals, which is found within the Office of the University Registrar. This office reviews applications to reclassify an out-of-state student to in-state status, they handle most procedural questions, and they provide other services associated with student status classification for tuition purposes.

Contact

JM Tuition, Costs & Scholarships
Graduate Admissions
Antonin Scalia Law School
3301 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22201
Phone: 703-993-8637
Fax: 703-993-8088
lawgradm@gmu.edu

Applications for the Juris Master Degree Program are processed on a rolling basis, and all fall and spring semester start dates are available to qualified candidates. There is no fee to apply, and we do not require scores from an entrance exam (such as LSAT or GRE). Simply submit the online application with supporting materials and we will be in contact to schedule an in-person or virtual interview.

Application Deadlines

Fall: August 1
Spring: December 1
Summer: May 1

Apply: Juris Master General

Apply: Juris Master Criminal Justice

Apply: Juris Master Government Contracts

Apply: Juris Master National Security

Application Instructions

Admission to the George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School Juris Master Degree Program is highly competitive. To be admitted, the following is required:

• All applicants must have a conferred bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agency or international equivalent.
• If an applicant has completed post-secondary work outside the U.S., the applicant must use either World Education Series (WES) or AACRAO International Services for evaluation of the international transcripts.
• All applicants for admission must have demonstrated high academic standing, and professional achievements or positions indicating the applicant’s capacity for performing master’s-level work.

Application Requirements

Applications are not evaluated until all required supporting documents have been provided to the Graduate Admissions office. For guaranteed consideration, each applicant is responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by Scalia Law School at George Mason University prior to the appropriate deadline.

1. Application
   All applicants Apply: Juris Master General, Apply: Juris Master Criminal Justice, Apply: Juris Master Government Contracts, Apply: Juris Master National Security. There is no application fee.
2. Official Transcripts
   Applicants must submit all transcripts from college or university-level work and degrees.
3. 500-Word Statement
   The applicant is required to submit a 500-word statement of educational and professional goals, double-spaced, that will serve as both a statement of purpose and a writing sample. The thoughts and words of the 500-word statement must be uniquely those of the applicant. Apart from basic proofreading, no other(s) may assist in the creation of this statement. The personal statement is used to assess your plans for the degree, as well as your writing in an academic context. We recommend that you use this opportunity to tell us about your career goals. While there is no word maximum for the personal statement, brevity and editing are prized qualities in JM applicants. We do not recommend going far above the 500-word suggestion.
4. Resume
   Each applicant must submit a resume detailing their educational and professional experience and achievements. There is no page limit for the resume.
5. Letters of Recommendation
   Please submit at least one letter of recommendation addressing the applicant’s academic and professional potential.
6. Interview
   All applicants must complete an informal interview with the Director of Juris Master (JM) Degree Program in person, by phone, or virtually. The admissions office will contact candidates who are selected for interviews to schedule a convenient time to meet.
7. Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates
   (Only for those who believe they qualify)
   Applicants who have resided in Virginia for 12 months or more and believe they qualify for in-state tuition rates must also complete the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates and submit the form with their application.
8. GRE, GMAT, MCAT or LSAT Scores
   Standardized test scores are not required but should be submitted if taken by the applicant. If applicable, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) should directly send Scalia Law School the GRE, GMAT, MCAT or LSAT score. The ETS school code for Scalia Law School is 2737.

English Proficiency

For applicants whose first language is not English, current TOEFL or IELTS scores showing sufficient proficiency in the English language are required. Applicants must have taken the TOEFL or IELTS within two years of submitting their application.

English Proficiency Requirements

TOEFL: 90 iBT (no score lower than 20 in any individual section)
IELTS: 6.5