Aspiring attorneys earning an education at the University of Southern Mississippi can now access an accelerated law school pathway through a new partnership with Mississippi College.
A recent memorandum of understanding between the public university out of Hattiesburg and the private college’s law school in Jackson allows Southern Miss students to earn both their bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate (JD) in six years of study – decreasing the total length of undergraduate studies plus law school by one full year.
Students who have completed three-fourths of the coursework required for a bachelor’s degree from Southern Miss will be eligible for admission to Mississippi College School of Law. After the student completes the first year of the JD program with a grade of C or higher in each course, Southern Miss will assign academic credit based on the transfer equivalencies outlined in the participating degree program and award the appropriate bachelor’s degree. After the student completes all law school requirements, Mississippi College will award the JD degree.
“I am fully confident they will receive top-shelf legal education and training at Mississippi College,” Southern Miss President Dr. Joe Paul stated. “Our students have Southern Miss grit; they set audacious goals and pursue them with uncommon passion and relentless persistence. This will serve them well in the study of law.”
Those participating in the accelerated degree program must take the Law School Admission Test, commonly referred to as the LSAT, and earn a competitive score no later than December of their third year of full-time enrollment at Southern Miss.
Participating students must also apply to law school no later than February of the third year of undergraduate study using the standard process and criteria for law school admission.
“USM has always been one of MC Law’s top feeder schools, and some of our most successful alums are Golden Eagles,” Mississippi College Law Dean John Anderson said. “I am confident that the cost savings and convenience of this 3+3 partnership will only enhance the strong relationship between the two schools to the advantage of many future Mississippi lawyers.”
The accelerated law school pathway meets the requirements of the American Bar Association.
