Northern Michigan University has signed an agreement with Michigan State University College of Law that will allow qualifying incoming NMU freshmen to complete both their bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor (JD) degree in about six years, instead of the normally required seven.

The 3+3 Legal Education Admission Program (LEAP) recognizes that some students have the capacity and readiness to accelerate their course of study. It is composed of three years of undergraduate political science studies plus three years of legal studies.

“Students will have the opportunity to enter MSU College of Law in their senior year and count that first year of law school credit toward both their JD and BA or BS degrees,” said Steve Nelson, NMU political science professor and pre-law adviser. “This is another excellent opportunity that we provide to our pre-law students.”

Carter Wilson, head of the NMU Political Science Department said, “This agreement is a testament to a little-known fact about NMU. Judging from Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores and law school placements, NMU has one of the most outstanding pre-law programs in the state of Michigan.”

For more information about this program, contact Nelson at stnelson@nmu.edu, or call 906-227-2019.