Accelerated Law Program

The University of Mississippi School of Law has partnered with the Department of History to offer an accelerated undergraduate program that allows students early admission to the School of Law. Through the Accelerated Law Program, students can pursue fast-tracked, joint bachelor’s and law degrees, trimming a full year off of the time it would take to earn both degrees independently. A joint degree offers students the opportunity to pursue special areas of law offered at the University of Mississippi School of Law, such as concentrations in business law, air and space law, sports and entertainment law, and criminal law.

What courses will I take in the Accelerated Law Program?
Students in the Accelerated Law Program take the same undergraduate courses as other undergraduate students, and will fulfill requirements for both the history major and a minor of their choosing, but will concentrate on their undergraduate degree during their first three years before shifting their focus to their law degree.

How long will it take me to earn my BA and JD in the Accelerated Law Program?
Students can consider the Accelerated Law Program before or while pursuing their undergraduate degree. Earning an undergraduate degree generally takes four years of full time study, while earning a law degree generally takes three years of full time study. Through the joint degree program, however, students are able to pursue both degrees in six years. They can do so by taking a handful of courses over intersessions and summer semesters and completing their undergraduate degrees in three years. Interested students should contact their academic advisor in their freshman or sophomore year in order to make all necessary plans to ensure they’re on track.

What are the admission requirements for the Accelerated Law Program?
Students must apply and be admitted to major in history and inform their academic advisor that they are interested in the accelerated law program. They must also take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and register with LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) in order to be considered for admission to the UM School of Law. Two of the primary factors considered in the admission process are performance on the LSAT and undergraduate grade-point average, although the student’s personal statement and academic letters of recommendation are important as well. Interested students can get a sense of what kinds of LSAT scores and GPAs are necessary by clicking here.

Are there any scholarships available?
All applicants are given automatic consideration for scholarships for the University of Mississippi School of Law. Most of these scholarships are merit-based, but we also review applicants holistically based on academic excellence, contributions of diversity to the class, and residency. Scholarships cover the cost of resident or nonresident tuition.

Want to learn more about the Accelerated Law Program?
For more information about this program, contact Carmen Riggan (carmen@olemiss.edu).