3+3 Program

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In Drake Law School's 3+3 Program, you can earn your undergraduate degree and a law degree in six years.

Qualified students can earn an undergraduate degree and a law degree in six years rather than the usual seven.

Through this program, students complete three years of full-time undergraduate study, use law school courses to meet the balance of required undergraduate credits and receive their bachelor's degree after the first year of law school.

The first step in pursuing a 3+3 program is to contact both your academic advisor and the designated contact at your undergraduate institution (high school students should first contact the undergraduate admission offices of these institutions):

Drake University

Contact: Your individual academic advisor
Students are eligible for the program with majors from the following colleges/schools:

Learn more about the Drake University 3+3 Program.

Below are some other institutions who have a 3+3 agreement with Drake Law School:

Buena Vista University

Contact the individual below for more information about this institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Lisa Kesting Best
Professor and Dean
Buena Vista University

Phone: 712-749-2195
Email: bestl@bvu.edu

Clarke University

Contact the individual below for more information about this institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Norm Freund
Professor
Clarke University

Phone: 563-588-6543
Email: norm.freund@clarke.edu

Coe College

Contact the individual below for more information about this institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Neal McNabb
Assistant Professor and Chair
Social and Criminal Justice
Coe College

Phone: 319-399-8733
Email: nmcnabb@coe.edu

Iowa State University

Contact your pre-law advisor to learn more about your institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Learn more about the Iowa State 3+3 Pathway.

Loras College

Contact the individual below to learn more about their institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Christopher Budzisz

Associate Professor of Politics

Loras College

Email: christopher.budzisz@loras.edu

Learn more about the Loras 3+3 Accelerated Degree Program

Luther College

Contact the individual below to learn more about their institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Carly Hayden Foster
Professor
Luther College

Email: fosterc@luther.edu

Northwestern College (Iowa)

Contact the individual below to learn more about their institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Dr. Dan Young
Northwestern College (Iowa)

Phone: 712-707-7046
Email: young@nwciowa.edu

Simpson College

Contact the individual below to learn more about their institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Mark Juffernbruch
Professor
Simpson College

Phone: 515-961-1880
Email: mark.juffernbruch@simpson.edu

Learn more about the Simpson College 3+3 Pathway.

St. Cloud State University

Contact the individual below to learn more about their institution's 3+3 Pathway.

John D. Baker, J.D.
Professor of Criminal Justice
St. Cloud State University

Phone: 320-308-2158
Email: jdbaker@stcloudstate.edu

University of Dubuque

Contact the individual below to learn more about their institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Shea M. Chapin, J.D.
Assistant Professor of Law
University of Dubuque

Phone: 563-589-3562
Email: SChapin@dbq.edu

University of Northern Iowa

Contact the individual below to learn more about their institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Scott Peters
Associate Professor of Political Science
University of Northern Iowa

Phone: 319-273-2727
Email: scott.peters@uni.edu

University of Northern Iowa 3+3 Program Website

William Penn University

Contact the individual below to learn more about their institution's 3+3 Pathway.

Dr. Noel C. Stahle
William Penn University

Phone: 641-673-1010
Email: stahlen@wmpenn.edu

If you are at another undergraduate institution you can still use the 3+3 option. All that is required is for your undergraduate school to agree to use the credits you earn in your first year of law school to complete your undergraduate degree requirements.

How do I apply?

Students should discuss the 3+3 Program with their undergraduate academic advisor. Advisors will assist students to ensure that undergraduate degree requirements are met through either their three years of undergraduate study or their first year of law school.

3+3 applicants will be required to take the LSAT. The test is typically taken one year in advance of anticipated law school enrollment. Interested students are also encouraged to contact the Drake Law Director or Admission Matt Johnson (matt.johnson@drake.edu or 515-271-2059) at this time to further discuss the Law School application and admission process.

3+3 applicants should submit the Drake Law School application during the Spring semester of their third year (after Fall semester grades are available). All 3+3 students apply to the Law School using the normal application process; the only additional requirement is a letter from the undergraduate advisor confirming that the student will fulfill all requirements for the bachelor's degree by the end of the first year of law school.

Participation in the 3+3 Program does not guarantee admission into the Law School.

Are scholarships available to 3+3 students?

Every student enrolled at Drake Law School through the 3+3 Program is guaranteed a scholarship of $5,000 per year. The award is automatically renewable for all three years of law school and may be combined with other scholarships up to full tuition.

Do I have to study a specific major in order to pursue a law degree?

No. One major does not give you an advantage over another. In fact, students are encouraged to study whatever they are interested in during their undergraduate program.

Any courses that are reading and writing intensive will be helpful to a future law student.

What if my plans change?

You may proceed with completing your undergraduate degree if you decide not to participate in the 3+3 Program or if you are not admitted into Drake Law School.

For more information, contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at 515-271-2782 or law-admit@drake.edu.