The Akron Law 3+3 Pathway is an accelerated route to earning a law degree. It allows motivated students to complete both their bachelor’s degree and their Juris Doctor in as little as six years (or sometimes less) instead of the traditional seven.
Students may enter this pathway from a variety of starting points. Whether you begin at one of Akron Law’s partner universities, transfer to The University of Akron from another institution, or arrive with previously earned College Credit Plus or community college coursework, what matters is that you become a student at one of our participating 3+3 Pathway universities. Once you have completed approximately three years of undergraduate credits (at least 91 credits) in an approved major that meets the requirements of your undergraduate university, you may apply to Akron Law for early admission to begin your first year of law school.
While completing your undergraduate coursework, you must work closely with your undergraduate advisor to plan your schedule and complete at least 91 credits of coursework required by your chosen major. The classes you take and the requirements you must meet are determined by your undergraduate program and university, not by Akron Law.
After completing the required 91 undergraduate credits, students who meet the academic requirements have the option to apply to Akron Law for early admission. To qualify, students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5, an LSAT score of 152 or higher, and be in good academic, financial, and disciplinary standing at your undergraduate institution. Applicants must also meet the character and fitness standards required of all Akron Law applicants. Students who meet these qualifications and are admitted to Akron Law may then begin law school in place of their fourth year of undergraduate coursework.
Once you successfully complete the first year of law school, your law school credits are transferred back to your undergraduate university and count toward the completion of your bachelor’s degree.
You will then graduate from your undergraduate university with a bachelor’s degree in your chosen major, walk the stage at your home institution, and receive your diploma from that university. After graduation, you return to Akron Law to complete the remaining two years of law school and earn your Juris Doctor.
This is how the program allows students to complete both degrees in six years (or less) instead of seven.
**Note: Participation in the 3+3 Pathway does not guarantee admission to law school or early entry. Students must meet all admission requirements to qualify for early admission to Akron Law, including:
Joining the 3+3 Pathway does not lock you into law school. If you decide at any point before starting at Akron Law that you no longer wish to pursue a law degree, you can simply continue your undergraduate studies and complete your degree in the traditional way at your university. There is no penalty for changing direction, and no special classes are required for Akron Law.
Some students choose to remain in their undergraduate program for a full four years because they wish to enjoy more of the undergraduate experience, complete additional coursework, or continue playing a collegiate sport. Others may still choose to attend law school later as a traditional applicant after finishing their bachelor’s degree. The flexibility of the 3+3 Pathway ensures that students always have options, whether they decide to move forward early or stay on a traditional timeline.
The 3+3 Pathway accommodates a wide range of students, from traditional undergraduates to nontraditional learners.
These are students who have graduated from high school and are beginning their first year of college with no or very few college credits earned while still in high school. For these students, the 3+3 Pathway makes it possible to complete both their bachelor’s degree and their law degree in six years instead of the usual seven. This gives them a head start on their legal career and allows them to enter the profession sooner while saving a full year of tuition and time.
With the growing number of high school students earning college credit through College Credit Plus or similar programs, many students are now entering college with a substantial amount of coursework already completed. For these students, the 3+3 Pathway can shorten the timeline even further. Some students enter college having already earned two years’ worth of credits, leaving them with only one more year to complete their undergraduate requirements before beginning law school. In these cases, it is possible for a student to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in as little as four years.
The 3+3 Pathway can also be a strong option for adult learners who know their long-term goal is to become an attorney. This includes students who are beginning college for the first time as adults, as well as students who started college in the past and are now ready to return. For students beginning without previous college credits, the 3+3 Pathway may still allow them to complete both their bachelor’s degree and law degree in six years instead of seven. For students who already have college credits, those credits may be able to transfer into their undergraduate program, which could make the overall timeline even shorter.
3+3 students gain early access to Akron Law Admissions and one-on-one guidance from the Assistant Director of Admissions. From the moment their eligibility form is submitted, they receive personalized support with LSAT preparation, the application process, and staying on track for law school success.
Akron Law’s entering classes are drawing strong interest, and available seats can fill quickly. Because of our relationships with our 3+3 partner schools, students on the 3+3 Pathway who meet the program requirements and apply by the stated deadline receive priority consideration for a seat in the entering class. This is a meaningful benefit of the pathway, especially in years when the class fills before all regular applicants who met the deadline can be reviewed.
Students who complete the 3+3 Pathway earn both their bachelor’s degree and their law degree in as little as six years, saving a full year of tuition and entering the legal profession sooner.
Because 3+3 students know their next step is law school, they remain highly motivated to maintain a strong GPA and prepare for the LSAT. Many stay more focused throughout their undergraduate studies and avoid the “senioritis” that can slow progress in traditional programs.
3+3 students often describe feeling a stronger sense of direction because every course and requirement brings them closer to their goal of becoming a lawyer.
Akron Law’s strong network of 3+3 partner universities gives students the freedom to find the right academic fit. Each partner school offers its own approved majors for the 3+3 Pathway, and some universities offer more options than others. Because there are so many partners, students who want to be on the 3+3 Pathway can explore multiple institutions to find one that offers the major they are most interested in. This variety allows students to begin their path to law school in a field that reflects their passions and strengths.
Once enrolled in law school, students are considered independent for federal financial aid purposes. This means only their own income is factored into FAFSA calculations, which can make professional school more affordable for some students.
Another advantage of the 3+3 Pathway is its connection to joint degree programs. Through these options, students can earn both a master’s degree and a law degree at the same time. For 3+3 students, this means the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a Juris Doctor in around six years or less.
Current joint degree options at Akron Law include:
The Akron Law Admissions team is happy to answer any questions you may have and to help guide you on your law school admissions journey.
☏ 1-800-425-7668 ✉ lawadmissions@uakron.edu