3+3 Bachelor's/JD Program with University of West Florida

The University of West Florida and Stetson University College of Law have collaborated to offer an opportunity to reduce the time required to earn both a bachelor's degree and a Juris doctor degree.

The 3+3 Bachelor's/JD Program ("3+3 Program") allows certain high-performing University of West Florida undergraduates to matriculate at Stetson University College of Law before completion of a bachelor's degree at the University of West Florida.

Students seeking a JD degree typically complete a four-year undergraduate program followed by three years of law school. The 3+3 accelerated path allows qualified students to earn both their bachelor's and JD degrees within six years. Students spend three years at UWF and three years at Stetson Law. Students' first year in the Stetson JD program will count as elective credits toward the UWF bachelor's degree and also serves as their final year of study at UWF.

The UWF students will earn their baccalaureate degree no later than the end of their fourth year (i.e., 3+1). The program will be limited to students who can complete the major requirements by the end of the third year.

The 3+3 program also provides substantial scholarship support for students once they start at Stetson. Once admitted into the 3+3 program, students will be paired with a faculty member mentor from Stetson Law.

Interested students must meet the program's eligibility requirements and must apply with UWF's Pre-law Advisory Committee.

How to Apply

The UWF Pre-Law Advisory Committee will screen applicants to determine whether they meet the basic eligibility requirements and advise eligible students who declare an intention to apply to the Stetson University College of Law under the 3+3 Program.

To be eligible for the program, a UWF undergraduate student must:

  • Provide notice to the Pre-Law Advisory Committee of Intent to apply for the program on or before Sept. 1 of the year prior to the intended enrollment date at the College of Law.
  • Complete at least 25 percent of the total credits for the bachelor’s degree at UWF.
  • Be degree-seeking at UWF until enrollment at the Stetson University College of Law, at which point the student should have completed all degree requirements for a bachelor’s degree except elective credits. UWF will accept credit earned at Stetson as transfer credit after the student has been enrolled for one year at the Stetson University College of Law.
  • Complete all general education requirements and all other requirements for the student’s major before enrolling in the Stetson University College of Law.
  • Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 as of the date of application to the Stetson University College of Law.
  • On or before the application date, earn a minimum score on the LSAT at the 75th percentile of the most recent class to enroll at the Stetson University College of Law.
  • Receive the written recommendation of the UWF Pre-Law Advisory Committee no later than Dec. 1 in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study.
  • Apply to the Stetson University College of Law for admission into the full-time J.D. Program between Oct. 1 and Jan. 15 in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study.
  • Meet the Stetson University College of Law’s character and fitness requirements and comply with the general admissions policies.
  • Participate in the Stetson University College of Law’s academic success workshop during the student’s first year of J.D. study.

Students admitted into the Stetson University College of Law under the 3+3 Program will automatically receive a scholarship that is renewable for the second and third years of J.D. study, subject to the College of Law’s academic scholarship requirements. Students will also be considered for a book stipend up to $1,500 for their first year, redeemable at the College of Law bookstore. Upon completion of the first year of study at the Stetson University College of Law, the student will be awarded a bachelor’s degree by UWF if he or she meets all UWF requirements for graduation. Upon completion of the program of study at the College of Law, the student will receive a J.D. awarded by the College of Law.

Contact Information:

Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning
Stetson University College of Law
1401 61st Street South
Gulfport, FL 33707-3299
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 727-562-7802

Charlie Penrod, J.D.
Professor
Legal Studies Pre-Law Program
University of West Florida
11000 University Pkwy
Building 70, Room 108
Pensacola, FL 32514
Email:  [email protected]
Office: 850-474-2777