Walsh University and The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law will now offer students the opportunity to earn their law degrees more quickly and economically with a joint 3+3 Bachelor’s/Law Accelerated Degree Program.
In addition to the universities’ shared Catholic faith, a unique advantage of this new program will be the opportunity for students to study and gain valuable work experience in the Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C.
"Catholic University's Columbus School of Law is delighted to have entered into a 3+3 program with Walsh University that will enable its undergraduate students to obtain early admission to our Law School. This is a great way for highly motivated students to obtain bachelor's and J.D. degrees in six years as opposed to the usual seven years," said Dean and Knights of Columbus Professor of Law Daniel F. Attridge, The Catholic University of America. "We are confident that Walsh's top undergraduate students will perform well in our first-rate J.D. program in the Nation's Capital."
Like Walsh University, hallmarks of the Columbus School of Law are the small classes and professors who take a personal interest in each student. Catholic University also fully embraces the richness of the Catholic intellectual tradition, a tradition that includes respect for the diversity of backgrounds, religious affiliations, viewpoints, and contributions that members bring to the law school community.
The Columbus School of Law also boasts a family atmosphere, an active alumni network and an ideal location in Washington, D.C., with an extensive array of hands-on opportunities that allow students to do nearly everything a practicing attorney does, under the supervision and guidance of highly experienced faculty. CUA Law has received various accolades, which range from being in the top 15 for preparation for firm practice to being ranked 32 for the number of partners in the largest law firms.
For more information about the Columbus School of Law, please visit www.law.edu.
Interested students must have a 3.6 GPA for automatic admission after their third year at Walsh, and place above 66th percentile on the LSAT. Students can still secure automatic admission after their fourth year with a 3.5 GPA (and LSAT score).
New degree programs will save students both time and money.
Enrolling in the 3+3 program, students will have the opportunity to complete both bachelor’s and law degrees in just six years instead of seven years, the average to complete an undergraduate degree (four years) and juris doctor degree (three years). The senior year of a student’s undergraduate studies will coincide with their first year at the Columbus School of Law, allowing participants to earn their undergraduate degrees from Walsh after their first year of law school studies.
Benefits for students include:
- Participants will earn both degrees in a shorter amount of time, saving an entire year of college enrollment costs through both programs.
- Individualized attention - For students who prefer a small school environment, both accelerated degree programs provide a small college experience.
Under the agreement, students will transfer the first year of credits from classes taken at Columbus Law back to Walsh University. This will enable the students to obtain their bachelor’s degree. They will then have two years left to complete their J.D. degree at The Catholic University of America.
The Ohio Supreme Court approved rule changes in July 2014 allowing eligible students to enter law school after just three years of undergraduate course work. The program can save eligible students up to one year of tuition and fees.