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Akron Law unveils new BA/JD program
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: September 21, 2016
It’s been just over two years since the Ohio Supreme Court approved rule changes allowing eligible students to enter law school after just three years of undergraduate studies.
The changes, which took effect on July 1, 2014, paved the way for law schools in the state to begin offering six-year joint bachelor’s/law degree or 3+3 programs. Since then a number of Ohio law schools have rolled out such options.
In late August, The University of Akron unveiled a new 3+3 law degree program, which will allow the school’s political science majors to secure a juris doctor in just six years.
Ryan Vacca, interim co-dean at The University of Akron School of Law, said the program offers a number of advantages, including reducing student debt.
“Eliminating a year of tuition is one of the most obvious advantages for students, but an accelerated degree program also means students can get into the workforce that much sooner,” said Vacca.
“Students who enroll in this program will be able to benefit from the many programs offered by Akron Law and the political science department.”
The accelerated political science/law degree program is the first one to be offered to undergraduates attending The University of Akron. The university’s School of Law already has 3+3 agreements in place with Walsh University in North Canton and Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
Former Akron Law Dean Matthew J. Wilson, now interim president of The University of Akron, negotiated the agreements with Walsh and Robert Morris universities as well as laying the foundation for the Akron program.
“Prior to my becoming dean, the Supreme Court green lighted accelerated law degree programs,” said Wilson. “When I arrived I reached out to Walsh and Robert Morris universities.
“We had been discussing the idea of creating one here for here awhile,” he said. “The interim dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences thought that the political science department was a good place to start since there is a natural synergy between political science and law school.”
While the program has been approved, John Green, interim dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, said no one had enrolled as of September.
“We are expecting the first group to start in the fall of 2017,” said Green. “We have only begun getting the word out.”
Green said that many students have expressed interest so they may get a few students enrolled this fall.
“We expect that the program will provide an internal pipeline of high quality students for the law school at a time when many law schools are struggling to get the best students,” said Green.
James McHugh, a political science professor at The University of Akron and former chair of the political science department, helped to design the program.
“These sorts of programs are becoming increasingly popular nationwide,” said McHugh. “I created one for Roosevelt University and The John Marshall Law School in Chicago approximately 20 years ago. But this one is unique for northeastern Ohio.
“The program is designed for a wide array of students. It also should have particular appeal for highly motivated high school students who have a clear interest in pursuing a career in the legal profession,” said McHugh.
To be admitted to the program, students need to have an ACT score of 25 or an SAT score of at least 980 along with a high school GPA of 3.4 or higher, said McHugh.
Those accepted must complete 90 credit hours in the first three years, taking courses that fulfill all their general education requirements for the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences along with those needed for their political science major.
“The remaining 30 credits would normally be fulfilled with elective courses,” said Green. “Students who are part of the 3+3 program will be able to replace these electives with their first-year law school courses to complete their undergraduate degree.”
Participants are also strongly encouraged to take part in a law and politics internship course coordinated through the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics as part of their undergraduate major, said McHugh.
To continue on to Akron Law, a student needs to have a GPA of 3.4, a 150 or higher LSAT score along with satisfying all the character and fitness requirements.
Green said if a student does change his/her mind about pursuing a juris doctor after starting at Akron Law, the credits would still be applied to the undergraduate degree.
“Whether a student completes one semester or the entire first year of law school, the credits will go toward the bachelor’s degree,” said Green. “If a student attends one or two classes at the law school and has a change of heart he or she can simply register for the electives.”
Nancy Marion, political science professor and chair of the political science department, said many students in the department have plans to go to law school on day one.
“This program is going to be academically challenging so it will allow students to get a preview of some of the demands of law school, helping them to decide if that is really what they want to do,” said Marion.
“I do think it will attract more students to the department.”
Vacca said the goal is to offer 3+3 programs to students in other departments at The University of Akron as well as to establish partnerships with more area schools.
“Doing so is a great way to provide our joint students more opportunities to achieve their career goals in an affordable way,” said Vacca.