Akron Law updates 3+3 agreement with Youngstown State University

The University of Akron School of Law and Youngstown State University have updated an existing three plus three (3+3) Juris Doctor degree program agreement signed in 2017.

The University of Akron School of Law (Akron Law) and Youngstown State University (YSU) have updated an existing three plus three (3+3) Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program agreement signed in 2017. The update is focused on YSU students in the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education (BCLASSE). It provides a curriculum for students to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy (BA PHIL) from YSU and a J.D. degree from Akron Law in a total of six years instead of the traditional seven.

Students apply the first year of professional law courses at Akron Law to satisfy the graduation and degree requirements at their undergraduate institution while concurrently applying those same courses toward a J.D. degree granted by The University of Akron.

Akron Law’s 3+3 agreement with YSU also includes the Williamson College of Business Administration and the philosophy and political science departments at YSU.

“We’re pleased to enter into this updated agreement with Youngstown State University. It is designed to enhance this exceptional education opportunity for eligible YSU BCLASSE students,” said Barbara DiGiacomo, associate dean of administration and enrollment management at Akron Law.

Mark Vopat, professor of philosophy and director of the Dr. James Dale Ethics Center at YSU, also expressed his enthusiasm.

“This new agreement should afford more Youngstown State students the opportunity to pursue a law career path with greater ease and support from both YSU and Akron Law,” Vopat said. “The 3+3 program decreases the time it takes to earn these two degrees, reduces the overall cost to the student, and helps them graduate on time and with less debt.”

“We believe YSU has one of the best pre-law programs in the state,” Vopat continued. “Many YSU graduates have gone on to attend law school, including quite a few at Akron Law. The 3+3 program is an important factor for many of the students who pursue a career in the law.”

Program requirements

Incoming YSU undergraduates with a 3.5 or higher high school GPA and a 25 combined ACT or 1150 SAT may apply for inclusion into the Akron Law 3+3 program at the same time they apply to YSU. Current YSU BCLASSE students wanting to enroll in the 3+3 program must have a minimum of 30 semester hours (SH) earned and no more than 90 SH earned, a minimum 3.4 overall GPA and be enrolled in a major leading to a BA PHIL degree.

YSU students participating in the 3+3 program who have completed the equivalent of three years or more of a baccalaureate degree will be automatically admitted into Akron Law School so long as they are in good standing academically, financially and from a disciplinary perspective at YSU; satisfy the character and fitness standards required of all students admitted to Akron Law; and meet certain LSAT and grade point average standards at Akron Law.

For more information about the pre-law program at Youngstown State, visit the Pre-Law Advisement page.

In addition to Youngstown State, Akron Law has 3+3 program partnerships with Central State University, Indiana Institute of Technology, Kent State University, Robert Morris University, University of Mount Union and Walsh University. University of Akron undergraduates majoring in business law, economics, history, philosophy or political science are also eligible for the program. For more information, visit Law admissions or email lawadmissions@uakron.edu.