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UMass Dartmouth and UMass Law have established a 3+3 joint degree program to offer an accelerated pathway to an undergraduate and law degree. The fast track program enables qualifying students to substitute the first year of law school for the final year of their undergraduate program, thereby earning both a bachelor's degree from UMass Dartmouth and a Juris Doctor from UMass Law in six rather than seven years.
Advantages of the 3+3 Program
- Provides a fast track to a law degree and legal career.
- Saves one year of tuition costs and time.
- Provides a smooth transition from undergraduate to law curriculum.
- Program students enjoy library privileges at both institutions throughout their residence at either institution.
Eligibility for Admission to Law School
College of Arts and Sciences juniors who meet the following requirements are eligible for admission to UMass Law via the 3+3 program under the following terms:
- Successful completion of the work acceptable for a bachelor's degree at UMass Dartmouth by the end of the junior year (i.e., no less than 90 credits). At least 60 credits must be earned at UMass Dartmouth.
- Successful completion of all university, college, and major requirements for the bachelor's degree, other than free electives and requirements for which a first-year law school course may serve as an acceptable substitute.
- Fulfillment of all admissions requirements normally imposed by the law school, including an acceptable performance on the LSAT.
- A cumulative grade point average of a 3.0 or better.
- At least two semesters of pre-law advisement.
- Acknowledgement of good standing from your pre-law advisor.
Application
The application deadline for UMass Law is June 30. 3+3 students are encouraged to apply no later than January 1 preceding their desired fall entrance date. Students planning to enroll in the 3+3 program must complete their eligibility requirements, take the LSAT, submit all required materials and apply. Participation in the program is not a guarantee of admission to law school.
The University Senior Year/Law School First Year
3+3 students are admitted as full-time students at UMass Law and will follow the usual course of study for full-time, first-year law students. Upon successful completion of the first year of law school, the credits earned will be transferred to your undergraduate degree as free electives or appropriate credit towards your undergraduate program/university graduation requirements. Students will thereby have graduated with a bachelor's degree from UMass Dartmouth, and will be eligible to walk at commencement.
GPA
The student’s first-year law grades will not be included with the student’s university grades in calculating the graduating grade point average. Students who fail to successfully complete the first year of law school, or who elect for other reasons to withdraw, may return to UMass Dartmouth as a bachelor's degree candidate the next semester without applying for readmission. Any completed course work at the law school will be treated by the university as transfer credits.
Participation & Advisement
Students interested in the program are encouraged to make their interest known to a pre-law advisor as early as possible to insure adequate advisement in meeting the eligibility requirements for accelerated admission to the law school.
Students selecting the 3+3 track must submit this declaration form to the 3+3 advisor; it is encouraged to submit the form no later than the end of the first semester of the sophomore year to ensure successful progress towards in the track. Students will need to have at least two full semester of pre-law academic advising to participate in the 3+3 fast track program.
About UMass Law
- Located 10 minutes north of UMass Dartmouth's main campus.
- The only public law school in Massachusetts.
- Among the smallest class sizes of any law school in New England.
- The lowest tuition of any ABA-accredited law school in Massachusetts.
- 100% clinic or internship placement.
- Public interest and other scholarships available.
UMass Law offers full and part-time programs in its day division and a part-time evening/weekend program. Students in all programs receive a comprehensive legal education that grounds them in knowledge and understanding of the law, legal institutions, and the responsibilities of the bar.
UMass Law is fully accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association. The Section of Legal Education may be contacted at 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610, by fax to (312) 988-5681, by phone at (312) 988-6738, or by email.
The law school is part of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, which is fully accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).