Offered in Partnership with UMass Law School at Dartmouth
We are pleased to offer Salem State University undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in an accelerated joint program with the University of Massachusetts Law School at Dartmouth to complete their undergraduate studies and juris doctor degree in six years.
This program allows pre-law students to spend three years at Salem State working towards their bachelor’s degree. Students then transfer to UMass Law in their fourth year, taking law courses that satisfy requirements toward a bachelor’s degree at Salem State while beginning their legal education. This “fast track to a law degree” program will enable students to complete their bachelor’s and juris doctor degrees in six rather than seven years.
Program Details
- The 3+3 program is designed for students with a strong interest in law.
- The program is available to students of any major, but many specific majors have clear pathways for participation.
- Interested students must meet with the Salem State University pre-law advisor and declare interest in the program by the beginning of their sophomore year in order to be considered. Students are strongly encouraged to declare their interest in the program as early as possible in their academic career.
- Students complete the first three years of their undergraduate studies at Salem State University, meeting all requirements for their program of study, including all specific programmatic requirements.
- In their fourth year four, qualifying students matriculate at UMass Law as first-year law students and earn credit toward the completion of their undergraduate degree by completing their first-year law courses.
- Students earn their baccalaureate degree from Salem State University after successful completion of their first-year law courses and courses are transferred back to apply to the student’s undergraduate degree program.
- Students earn their juris doctor form UMass Law upon successful program completion.
Eligibility Requirements
- Students must successfully complete a minimum of 90 credits at Salem State University prior to matriculation at UMass Law.
- Students must successfully complete all Salem State bachelor’s degree requirements other than those that will be fulfilled by first year law coursework.
- Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 during their three years of undergraduate study.
- Students must earn a minimum score of 150 on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
- Students must complete and submit an application for admission to UMass Law.
Questions?
Contact: Anne-Marie Hakstian, PhD
Pre-Law Advisor
Professor, Bertolon School of Business
This program is particularly suitable for political science, economics, English, history, philosophy, sociology, criminal justice, and interdisciplinary/american studies students.