Political Science BS - Juris Doctorate JD 3+3
Program Details
- Location
- Akron Campus
- Level
- undergraduate
- Degree/Program Type
- Bachelor of Arts / joint
- Format
- In-person
- Course Info
- Political Science/JD Degree Accelerated, BA
- College
- Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences (BCAS)
- School/Department
- Department of Political Science
Program Contact
- Dr. Nancy Marion
-
Chair, Professor, Internship Coordinator; Fellow, Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics
330-972-5551
Overview
Earn your bachelor’s and law degrees in six years instead of seven! To complete law school, you typically need four years to complete a bachelor’s degree and three years to complete a law degree (JD - juris doctor degree). Akron Law’s 3 + 3 Program allows eligible undergraduate students participating in partner programs to apply to Akron Law in their junior year of college.
Students admitted under the program fulfill their senior year of undergraduate credits through the successful completion of their first-year law school courses, allowing them to graduate with both a bachelor’s and law degree in just six years, saving a year of tuition and related costs, and they begin their legal careers a year ahead of time.
Admissions Requirements
To be admitted into the B.A. in Political Science program:
A minimum grade point average of 2.20 must be met in all university work, including transfer credits
A minimum grade point average of 2.20 must be met in all work in Political Science, including university and transfer credits.
Only credits earned at an accredited institution of post-secondary education, as recognized by The University of Akron, will be considered for transfer credit, and only those grades will be considered in the grade point average.
Pursuant to Akron Law’s 3 + 3 policy, an applicant must be in his or her junior year and participating in a partner program. Applicants must also meet his or her undergraduate institution’s criteria for eligibility.
Typically, you must have a 3.4 grade point average and 150 LSAT score to qualify for admission. However, this might vary depending on your program. Each undergraduate institution determines which majors and programs are eligible for participation. 3 + 3 candidates are considered alongside Akron Law’s regular pool of applicants.
Applicants to the 3 + 3 program are encouraged to take the LSAT in October or December of their junior year in college and apply in January after their fall grades are available. However, later applications, including those from June LSAT-takers, will also be considered.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Political Science/JD Accelerated Program earn both a bachelor’s degree and law degree in just six years, entering the legal field a full year earlier than traditional students.
Career paths include:
Private legal practice in areas like criminal law, corporate law, or family law
Government attorney roles at the state, local, or federal level
Judicial clerkships or public defender positions
Policy analysis, advocacy, or lobbying for nonprofits and NGOs
Corporate compliance, consulting, or risk management
Continued legal education through LLM or dual-degree programs
YES, some things just set us apart.
Our program gives students real chances to work on real political issues—not just study them in a classroom. They connect students with hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional networks that help turn a political science degree into a career.
Career Connections
Experiential Learning
Connect to internships in court, law, government, campaigns, and non-profits through our national placement network.
View Internship Opportunities
Real-World Learning
Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics
Gain hands-on experience in campaigns, advocacy, and civic engagement through a nationally recognized bipartisan institute.
Explore Bliss Institute
Intelligence & Security
Morell Center for Intelligence and Security Studies
Preparing the security professionals of tomorrow by bringing together security practitioners for internships, training, research, and education in the areas of intelligence, national security, and cybersecurity.
Explore Morell Center