CLINTON — Mississippi College and William Carey University signed a memorandum of understanding Feb. 25 to create an accelerated pathway allowing qualified William Carey students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor in six years, shortening the combined length of undergraduate and law school study by one year.
“Through this partnership with William Carey University, we are expanding opportunities for students, strengthening legal education across our state, and helping ensure that future lawyers can pursue their calling and build their careers right here in Mississippi,” MC President Blake Thompson said.
Under the agreement, students who have completed three-fourths of the coursework for a WCU bachelor’s degree may seek admission to the MC School of Law. After successfully completing the first year of the JD program with a grade of C or higher in each course, WCU will assign academic credit based on transfer equivalencies and award the appropriate bachelor’s degree; Mississippi College will confer the JD after the student completes all law school requirements.
Students in the accelerated program may earn undergraduate degrees in history, political science or administration of justice. They must take the Law School Admission Test and earn a competitive score no later than December of their third year of full-time enrollment at WCU, and must apply to law school by February of their third undergraduate year using standard admission procedures.
Transfer students are not eligible. Only incoming freshmen with an ACT score of 26 or an SAT score of 1,180 will qualify for the 3+3 program, and admitted students are expected to maintain at least a 3.25 undergraduate GPA to remain competitive. “This three plus three arrangement allows students to earn an undergraduate and law degree in six years rather than seven, saving a full year of tuition and expenses, while helping to keep Mississippi’s best and brightest future attorneys in our state,” MC Law Dean John Anderson said. WCU Provost Noal Cochran said the pathway reflects a shared Baptist faith and commitment to providing quality, faith-based education.
Mississippi College School of Law began as the Jackson School of Law in 1930. Its campus sits near the State Capitol, the Mississippi Supreme Court and federal courts, offering students access to practical experience before graduation. For more information about the program, visit www.mc.edu/academics/departments/history/undergraduate-programs/3-3-law. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
