A Pre-Law Scholars partnership among Rockhurst University and the University of Missouri-Columbia, Saint Louis University, and Creighton University allows Rockhurst students the opportunity to complete both their Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate degree in a total of six years, shaving a year off of the typical educational path while saving the student money.
The program is open to both freshman and transfer students pursuing any Bachelor’s degree. Those interested will need to complete an application for the program through Rockhurst. Contact the Pre-Law advisor for details about the application process.
Program Requirements
Each of RU's Pre-Law Scholar partnership institutions requires that in addition to being approved as a Pre-Law Scholar by Rockhurst, applicants will need to meet the following criteria to progress through the program:
- Students must be enrolled in the baccalaureate program at Rockhurst University.
- Students must be in their Junior year of study and have completed 98 credit hours of study during the year in which they apply to law school.
- Students must have completed and submitted their applications to law school by the deadlines stipulated by the respective institutions.
- Students must register with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) and submit their Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) by the deadlines stipulated by the respective institutions.
- After a successful full year of law school, students will receive their Bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst University as they continue their path to the Juris Doctorate.
In addition to these requirements, students also need to be aware of a few important things. These include:
- Participating in the 3+3 program does not guarantee admission to any of the institutions. Your record will be compared to the applicants each law school receives in a given year. To enhance the chances of success, Rockhurst students should strive to meet or exceed the median GPA and LSAT scores recorded for the most recent first-year law school class at each respective institution. The University of Missouri requires a minimum of a 3.5 at the time of the application to be considered for the 3+3 program, though median class GPAs at Mizzou are typically a quarter-point higher.
- A major benefit of the University of Missouri 3+3 program is that accepted students from outside of Missouri will be given their first year of in-state tuition until they are able to establish residency in the state for the remaining two years of law school.
- Creighton University Law School explicitly requires a favorable recommendation from your Pre-Law advisor.
- Students should prepare to take the LSAT in the summer before their junior year of studies at RU.
- Students should draft their law school application essay by September of their junior year so that they can get feedback from both the Pre-Law advisor and attorneys Rockhurst will make available to you who can give you strong feedback.
Law School Scholarships
Students admitted through the Pre-Law Scholars 3+3 program will automatically be considered for scholarship awards. To increase your odds of earning scholarships, it is important that you complete your application in a timely (read “early”) fashion, and have achieved GPAs and LSAT scores that are at or above both the median of those typically attending these institutions. In all university applications, the early bird tends to get the scholarship worm, so be organized and efficient.
Is There a Pre-Law Program at Rockhurst?
Yes, Rockhurst does offer a Pre-Law program. You can read about our Pre-Law program by clicking this link.
What Should I Study at RU to Be a Law Scholar?
Students should study what they love. The best preparation for law school is an excellent liberal arts education. Law schools do not advise any specific major.
At Rockhurst University, almost any major can be a path into the 3+3 JD program. Programs like History, Criminal Justice, Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, English, and Communication can create degree maps for students that ensure the opportunity to complete their major coursework and the Rockhurst core curriculum in three years (98 credit hours) at RU. Most other programs can also offer paths to the 3+3 program. Students should consult with their potential major advisor about their path forward.
Tips for Law School Success
Four core capacities necessary for success in law school:
- Superior writing skills and excellent command of the English language.
- Strong knowledge of history, government, and human society. This includes an understanding of the social and cultural forces shaping each of us and informing our values and perspectives. Laws, after all, are the fruit of cultural and political processes and are interpreted through different lenses.
- The ability to form coherent, evidence-based arguments that take account of your audience with the aim of persuasion.
- Critical thinking, self-discipline, and strong study skills.
Contact Us for More Information
For further details, contact Dr. Craig Prentiss, the Pre-Law Advisor, at craig.prentiss@rockhurst.edu.