3+3 Accelerated Law Program for Saint Leo University Students
The Florida State University College of Law is now accepting applications from college juniors at Saint Leo University as part of a 3+3 program. Under the program, students who meet certain admission requirements can complete a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in six years rather than the traditional seven, saving a year of time and costs.
Undergraduate students who gain admission into the J.D. program through the 3+3 program will follow the usual prescribed course of study for full-time, first-year law students. Upon successful completion of the first year of law school, the 30 credits earned will be counted toward the undergraduate degree, sufficient to complete university requirements for the bachelor’s degree. The Juris Doctor degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the required minimum 88 total course credits in the law school (including the 30 hours earned as part of the 3+3 program) and all other J.D. graduation requirements.
Eligibility
Students meeting the following criteria will be eligible for consideration for early admission to the College of Law:
- Take the LSAT during (or prior to) their junior year no later than the February administration of the year they seek admission.
- Earn at least 90 undergraduate credits prior to matriculation to the law school.
- Fulfill all major and graduation competencies by the end of their junior year.
- Completion of at least 30 credit hours in residence at Saint Leo University.
Admission to the J.D. program is highly competitive. The law school admissions process requires that students:
- Take the LSAT during (or prior to) their junior year and earn a score acceptable for admission
- Apply for admission by the published deadline during the student’s junior year or as otherwise established by the law school
- Meet the law school’s requirements for moral fitness and character as set out in its admissions application
- Pay the same tuition and fees for law school as do other first-year students
Saint Leo University students with questions regarding eligibility to apply to the 3+3 program under the guidelines outlined above should contact a Saint Leo 3+3 Accelerated Law Program Coordinator. Once eligibility is determined, questions regarding the application process to Florida State University College of Law should be directed to admissions@law.fsu.edu.
Saint Leo University Contact:
Heather R. Parker, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
heather.parker02@saintleo.edu
Florida State University College of Law Contact:
Ralph Keiffer
Senior Admissions Officer
admissions@law.fsu.edu
Admissions Decisions
The College of Law will notify applicants of its admissions decisions no later than June 1st. Enrollment of 3+3 students to the College of Law will be contingent upon their completion of all bachelor’s degree requirements for the student’s chosen major at Saint Leo. This includes successful completion of at least 90 credit hours toward their Saint Leo degree and a minimum of 30 credit hours successfully completed in residence at Saint Leo. A designated department advisor at Saint Leo will provide the law school a letter certifying such completion. Students not accepted by Florida State Law may still complete their fourth year at Saint Leo and fulfill their remaining requirements to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. They can reapply for regular (not early) admission to Florida State Law after that point.
Students can decide to opt out of the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program at any time and elect to fulfill their remaining requirements for graduation with a bachelor’s degree from Saint Leo. Also, students who do not successfully complete their first year of course work at Florida State Law may return to Saint Leo to fulfill their remaining requirements for graduation with a bachelor’s degree.
The College of Law does not guarantee admission; each student must meet the admission standards in place at the time of their application. A denial of admission under the 3+3 program will not foreclose opportunities for the student to apply to the College of Law (as well as other law schools) in the future upon completion of the bachelor’s degree. Any successfully completed course work at the law school will be treated by the university in the same manner as other transfer credit.