PURPOSE: to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a law degree within six years.  This is a cooperative program with Catholic University's Columbus School of Law.

WHEN: The student must satisfy all non-waivable courses for the B.A. by the end of junior year (including the comprehensive examination). The student must apply to the Columbus School of Law by November 1^st of junior year.  In order to do this, the student must begin careful course planning from the freshman year (see “Procedure”, below).

REQUIREMENTS: The student must meet all the admissions standards of the Law School.  For more information on this, consult the pre-law advisor (Dr. L.R. Poos, poos@cua.edu) and the law school admissions page at https://www.law.edu/admissions/overview/apply-now/index.html

During the fourth year of study (which is the senior year of the B.A. program and the first year of the J.D. program at the Law School), students are fully matriculated in the Law School and are required to pay the full tuition and fees charged for the J.D. program, less any financial aid or scholarship awarded. Students will be considered for financial aid and competitive scholarships at the Law School, but eligibility under this program does not guarantee an award.

FORM: There is no specific form required for the 3+3 program: participating in it is by advising.  Information about applying to the Columbus School of Law is here: https://www.law.edu/admissions/overview/apply-now/index.html

PROCEDURE: The student should meet with the pre-law advisor (Dr. L.R. Poos: poos@cua.edu) as early as possible in the freshman year to review requirements and coordinate with the student’s major advisor.  The student should also arrange an interview with the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the Undergraduate Office no later than the beginning of the sophomore year to determine which courses may be waived. After this interview, the student arranges an interview with the Law School Admissions office, and consults with departmental advisors about scheduling courses to complete non-waivable requirements (see above) by the end of the junior year. The student should take the LSAT in June following the sophomore year and apply to the Law School by November 1^st of the junior year. During the first semester of the junior year, an agreement is drawn up with the Assistant Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, indicating precisely which senior year courses will be replaced by the law program. This agreement goes into effect when the student enters law school. When the student completes the first year program of the Law School, he or she will be awarded the B.A. degree. If for any reason, the student does not complete the first year of law school, the ten courses that have been replaced will once again be required.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Email the Undergraduate Office at as-ugprogramsoffice@cua.edu or email the Law School Admissions Office at admissions@law.edu.

Reviewed January 12, 2026