Dayton, Ohio – Aspiring criminal justice studies and philosophy majors thinking about law school can get their bachelor’s and law degrees in five years instead of the traditional seven at the University of Dayton, thanks to fast-track programs that will save students tuition and living expenses.
Philosophy majors in UD’s Core program, an intensive interdisciplinary program that selects 120 high-achieving students each year, and criminal justice studies majors can take their first year of law classes during their fourth year of college. Then they’ll complete law school in the School of Law’s two-year accelerated program.
“These fields are ‘naturals’ for pursuing a law degree,” School of Law Dean Andrew Strauss said. “Much of law is applied philosophy. And for criminal justice studies students, law school is the most natural next step.”
These agreements are in addition to similar agreements the School of Law has with University of St. Francis in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio; the University of Findlay (Ohio); Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio; and Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati. Accepted students at those schools first apply to their undergraduate institution and earn provisional acceptance to the University of Dayton School of Law. The first three years are at the students’ originating schools. The fourth and fifth years are in Dayton where students complete their bachelor’s degrees by satisfying undergraduate electives with credits from the first year of law school.
The University of Dayton was among the first to offer a two-year accelerated option when the American Bar Association provided law schools that opportunity. In 2014, Ohio Supreme Court rule changes allowed students to apply to law schools after three years of undergraduate work.
The School of Law also offers a 3+3 program.
For more information on the University of Dayton School of Law’s 3+2 bachelor’s/law degree programs, visit https://udayton.edu/law/jd_programs/threeplustwo.php.
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