Arts & Sciences (with major) / Law Degree 3+3

You’re an ambitious and hard-working student — no stranger to academic rigor — and you have an eye toward law school after your undergraduate career.

Our Arts and Sciences/Law 3+3 program can have you practicing law within six years – one year quicker than the traditional path through law school. Through the program, learners earn virtually all requirements for any major within the College of Arts and Sciences in the first three years. If accepted into Drake University Law School, 3+3 participants finish the requirements for their undergraduate year during the first year of law school.

Studying at Drake and Drake Law School

An undergraduate major at Drake lays an ideal foundation for the study and practice of law. At Drake, you’ll develop the ability to think analytically and critically, read widely and well, and communicate effectively, all of which will be crucial in your future legal career.

Drake Law School has proven connections to the bench and bar. The law school is one of four federally endowed law schools in constitutional law and also specializes in agriculture and food law, intellectual property law, legislative practice and children’s rights. Alumni pursue private practice and public service: better-known law alumni include Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and former Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. As of fall 2011, four of seven members of the Iowa Supreme Court either taught at or graduated from Drake Law School.

The law school’s First-Year Trial Practicum, the only one of its kind in the nation, puts students in the courtroom during their first year. Students attend an actual state or federal court jury trial and participate in question and answer sessions with the judge, attorneys and members of the jury.

Participating in the 3+3 Program

Aspiring 3+3 Program participants may apply during their first semester on campus. Participants apply to Drake Law School in fall of their third year. Participation in the 3+3 Program does not guarantee admission to law school, but students who choose not to complete the program or are not admitted to law school continue studying to earn their bachelor’s degree in four years.

Expert Faculty

Arts and Sciences faculty are experienced professionals and leading academics. Drake Law School faculty members are distinguished scholars, exceptional teachers and experts in several fields of law.

Internship Opportunities

Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and largest city, provides an ideal location for internships, including legal and political internships. As a student at Drake, you’ll have the freedom to pursue one or more internships — and your future career — in your area of study.

Common internships locations for students considering law school include:

• American Judicature Society at Drake University
• Drake Legal clinic
• Private law practices
• State legislature

Additional Learning Opportunities

Students considering law school are encouraged to take advantage of several learning opportunities offered by the Drake Law School:

• The Constitutional Law Center, one of four such centers in the nation to be endowed by Congress, is a valuable resource for students, scholars and legal professionals. Drake’s center sponsors an annual national symposium that explores constitutional issues, community law forums and the Constitutional Law Speaker Series.
• Intercollegiate Mock Trial teaches undergraduate students about the legal process as they develop important critical thinking and public speaking skills. A student-led team in 2011 advanced to the final round of the American Mock Trial Association national championships, which were held at Drake Law School. The Law School hosts the annual National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament, which attracts teams from more than 100 colleges and universities.
• Drake Law School’s National Moot Court team has a long record of success and often advances to the final rounds of the National Moot Court Competition in New York City.

[back]