3+3 Wagner/Law School Program

Overview:

The Wagner College 3+3 program is designed specifically for those students who know that they want to attend law school after graduating from Wagner. This program allows a student to study for three years at Wagner and then attend one of the partner law schools for three more years. The courses completed in the first year of law school will serve as electives for the student’s remaining requirements at Wagner College.

Undergraduate Major:

Students pursuing the 3 + 3 program will complete an interdisciplinary studies major, with an emphasis on pre-law courses. This will allow students to engage with appropriate course work and receive guidance from a cohort of interdisciplinary advisors. Students will work with at least two advisors within their major: at least one will be affiliated with the pre-law program. The Dean of Integrated Learning will administrate program enrollment. A student interested in the 3+3 program should meet with the Dean of Integrated Learning by the fall of their sophomore year to complete paperwork and design their major.

Program Requirements:

A student must complete three years of study at Wagner College (27 units), including; the general education requirements, all courses within an academic major, and have successfully completed all three learning communities of the Wagner Plan. The student must have a cumulative grade point average (gpa) of 3.5 or higher. Note: Each participating law school will have its own set of requirements for admission.

When to Apply:

Students must complete the Wagner application during the fall of their sophomore year, and the partner law school intent form during the spring of their sophomore year. Transfer students seeking to complete the program may transfer in a maximum of eight (8) units. The application to the partner law school must be completed by February of their junior year. This includes taking the LSAT examination, applying to the partner law school and completing all application requirements, and obtaining the approval of the Dean of Integrated Learning that all Wagner Plan curricular components have been completed.

Benefits:

This special program will allow a seriously motivated student to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in six years (full time) instead of seven – saving the time, the money, and the stress of applying to multiple law schools.

Automatic Admission:

A student who scores high enough on the LSAT exam (at or above the 60th percentile), has a GPA above 3.45, and fits the requirements outlined in the agreement with the partner law school, will normally receive an automatic acceptance into the partner law school.

Costs:

Essentially, this program requires a student to spend three years at Wagner instead of a more traditional four-year program. The student would pay tuition at Wagner for three years. The so-called fourth year would actually be the first year of law school and the student would be charged law school tuition rates, which would not be covered by Wagner scholarship benefits. Students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships through the partner law school.

Bachelor’s Degree:

A Bachelor’s Degree will be awarded after successful completion of all first-year law school classes.

Law School Partners:

Cleveland-Marshall College of Law

Vermont Law School

Application Process:

The first step in the process is to meet with the Dean of Integrated Learning. From there, a student interested in the 3+3 program must: 1) complete and receive approval for their IDS major (which includes the approval of the major from at least two advisors - one of which is in the Prelaw program, and the Dean of Integrated Learning), 2) complete the Wagner application and partner law school intent form. These must be done by the end of the fall semester sophomore year, 3) upon completing steps 1 and 2 meet with the partner law school admissions representative no later than the first semester of their Junior year. The second step is to complete all the application requirements for the partner law school by February of the junior year. This includes but is not limited to the law school’s application and meeting the requirements for acceptance, the LSAT exam, and the creation of a file with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). An official transcript and letters of recommendation would also be required.

Contact Information:

For more information about this exciting program contact one of the program advisors: Dr. Sarah Scott(sarah.scott@wagner.edu); Dr. John Esser (jesser@wagner.edu); or David J. Martin, Esq.(dmartin@wagner.edu).

Joint Degree Programs

Joint Degree Programs