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Program Information

3+3 Application


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KU 3+3 BA/JD Accelerated Degree Program

KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and KU School of Law

Program FAQs

The KU 3+3 BA/JD accelerated degree program enables high achieving students to earn both a bachelor of arts and a juris doctor degree – graduating at least a year sooner than they would in traditional programs.  Because this program allows academically qualified students to complete requirements for the BA and JD degrees in 6 years, admission is limited to freshmen.  To apply for this program, submit a complete application by February 15, 2013

What are the requirements for admission into this program?

  • Already be admitted to KU for the summer or fall 2013 term.
  • Have a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 weighted scale (subject to change).
  • Have an ACT score of at least 28/SAT score of 1250 (subject to change).
  • If planning on majoring in a foreign language, have reached or surpassed the intermediate level.

A complete application includes

How is the application for the undergraduate portion of the program related to admission to the School of Law?

To gain admission to the law school, each student will apply to the law school during his or her third year of undergraduate study.  Admission to the law school will be granted provided the student attains a score of at least 157 on the LSAT exam and maintains a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.50.  Students must also meet the character and fitness requirements required of all law school applicants.  

Who will make the decisions about admission to the undergraduate portion of the program?

The BA/JD Admissions Committee, composed of professionals and staff from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Law, will review each application and select qualified students for admission to the program.

How will applications be evaluated?

Applications will be evaluated using the required materials: general admission status, supplemental application, GPA and ACT/SAT score, and essay.  As most competitive applicants will have high academic standing, the committee will weigh the essays heavily in the evaluation process.

When will I learn if I have been offered Admission to the program?

The Office of Student Academic Services in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences will notify applicants of the program committee’s decision by mail in late March.  If you do not receive written notification by April, please contact College Student Academic Services at 785-864-3500.

If I am admitted to KU, am I guaranteed admission to the 3+3 BA/JD Accelerated Degree Program?

No.  Admission to KU will not guarantee you admission to the 3+3 BA/JD Accelerated Degree Program.  While completing the general application and being admitted to the university is the first step toward admission to the 3+3 program, admission to the program is competitive and you will need to meet all supplemental admissions requirements, including the 3+3 supplemental application.

If admitted, what will my course load be for the undergraduate portion of the program?

Students admitted to this program will be on a tight and rigorous academic schedule that will require personal discipline and a deep commitment to academic success.  This is due to the fact that students admitted to this program will be using their first 3 years of undergraduate study to fulfill the major requirements for their BA degree (90 total student credit hours) leaving the 1st year of Law School to satisfy all undergraduate elective requirements (30 student credit hours).  A visual illustration of the program is below.

  • Admitted to the program (3.5 GPA, 28 ACT)
  • Year 1: KU Core + Major requirements
  • Year 2: KU Core + Major requirements
  • Year 3: Major Completion + electives
  • Year 4: 1st Year of Law School (counting courses as CLAS electives, meet 120 SCH requirement)
  • Year 5: Law School
  • Year 6: Law School, Completion and degrees conferred

Given the tight academic schedule, will I be able to double major or minor in this program?

No.  The accelerated timeframe to fulfill the requirements for your major and BA will preclude you from acquiring a second major.

Will I be able to receive a BA in any foreign language and participate in this program?

It depends.  This will only be possible for students who enter their major at or above the intermediate level.  For students who have not yet met the intermediate level in their language major, they will not have enough time to satisfy their major requirements in the accelerated timeframe.

When should I take the LSAT?

We recommend that students take the LSAT during the summer between your second and third year.  Students should take the test no later than the end of the first semester of year 3.  LSAT test dates can be found at http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/test-dates-deadlines.asp.

At what point in this process will I receive my BA degree?

As an accelerated degree program, you will receive your BA degree upon completion 120 hours (typically after year 4) and JD upon completion of the program (year 6).

What happens if I am admitted to this program, but later do not to pursue law school?

Students who reach year 3 and for any reason do not to pursue law school may use year 4 to complete requirements for their BA degree.

Which majors are eligible for participation in this program and why?

This 3+3 BA/JD Accelerated Degree Program is available through programs/departments in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences which offer BA degrees.  Eligible Majors are:

  • African & African American Studies
  • American Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Applied Behavioral Sciences
  • Astronomy
  • Biochemistry
  • Biology
  • Human Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Chemistry
  • Classical Antiquity
  • Classical Languages
  • Communication Studies
  • Dance
  • East Asian Languages and Culture
  • Economics
  • English
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film & Media Studies
  • French*
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Germanic Languages & Lit
  • Global & International Studies
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Humanities
  • Latin American Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Public Administration
  • Religious Studies
  • Slavic Languages & Lit
  • Sociology
  • Spanish*
  • Speech-Language-Hearing
  • Theatre (Culture & Society, Performance)
  • Visual Art
  • Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies

*Students majoring in foreign language programs must enter the program at the intermediate level.

What happens if I do not meet the minimum requirements for admission to the Law School after I start at KU?

All students’ academic progress will be reviewed by their advisor each semester.  Students who are not on track to meet the minimum requirements of admission to the Law School may be dismissed from the BA/JD Accelerated Degree program at anytime at the discretion of the College.  If dismissed from the program, students will be required to complete the requirements for the BA degree (to include the KU Core, Major Requirements, CLAS 100 credit hour requirement, 120 undergraduate credit hour requirement, with an overall and major GPA of 2.0).

How does the 3+3 program affect financial aid and scholarships?

  • During the first three years of study in the new 3+3 Bachelor of Arts/Juris Doctor Accelerated Degree Program, students will be considered for undergraduate financial aid and scholarships such as federal and state grants, as well as undergraduate federal student and parent loans.
  • During the last three years (the years in which the student is admitted to the KU School of Law), the student will be considered for gradaute/law financial aid and scholarships, such as federal student loans.
  • During all six years, students will be eligible for institutional renewable scholarships awarded at the time of admission to KU, funded through a variety of KU sources.
  • Additional financial and and scholarship details are available online at affordability.ku.edu.

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.