Fast Track Programs: Save Time and Money

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All Stetson University undergraduates interested in legal careers benefit from the strong relationship between undergraduate faculty in DeLand and law faculty at the College of Law in Gulfport and Tampa. Through a collaborative effort, undergraduate and law faculty have established two noteworthy opportunities for Stetson University undergraduate students to earn a law degree: the 3+3 BA/J.D. accelerated program and the 4+3 program with direct admission to the College of Law.

For more information on these opportunities, please contact

Sven Smith, PhD, J, Associate Professor of Sociology and Co-Chair, Stetson Culture Working Group

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

Stetson University's College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business Administration and 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 (J.D.) degree.

The Accelerated 3+3 Bachelor's/J.D. Program ("3+3 Program") allows certain high-performing undergraduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Business Administration to matriculate to the College of Law before completion of a bachelor's degree.

College of Law at Night

Students seeking a J.D. 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 J.D. degrees within six years. Students spend three years at the DeLand campus and three years at the College of Law campus in Gulfport. Students' first year in the Stetson University J.D. program will count as elective credits toward the bachelor's degree and also serves as their final year of undergraduate study.

Stetson University 3+3 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 generous scholarship support for students once they start at Stetson University, reducing the overall cost associated with obtaining both degrees. Once admitted into the 3+3 program, students will be paired with a student, graduate and/or faculty member from the Stetson University College of Law who will serve as a mentor.

Interested students must meet the program's eligibility requirements, as outlined below:

  1. Be a student in any major within the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Business Administration;
  2. Provide notice to the Pre-Law Advisory Committee of intent to apply for the 3+3 Program on or before September 1 of the year prior to the intended matriculation date at the College of Law (generally at the beginning of the student's junior year);
  3. Complete the number of credits necessary in the undergraduate curriculum required for graduation except for the 31 credits to be earned during the first year at the College of Law. Such credits must be earned before matriculating at the College of Law and at least 48 credits earned in the undergraduate curriculum must be completed at the University;
  4. Complete all general education requirements and all requirements for the student's major before matriculating at the College of Law;
  5. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in courses taken in the undergraduate program as of the date of application to the College of Law;
  6. On or before the application date, earn a minimum score on the LSAT at the 75th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the College of Law;
  7. Receive the written recommendation of the Pre-Law Committee no later than December 1st in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study;
  8. Apply to the College of Law for admission into the full-time J.D. program between October 1st and January 15th in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study;
  9. Meet the College of Law's character and fitness requirements and comply with the College of Law's general admissions policies; and
  10. Participate in the College of Law's Academic Success Workshop during the student's first year of law school.

Alternative Eligibility for the 3+3 Program: An exemplary student who (A) wishes to participate in the 3+3 Program, (B) did not qualify to apply for the program because of his or her LSAT score, but (C) who meets all other Stetson eligibility requirements may petition the University Pre-Law Committee for an exception. The Pre-Law Committee will determine whether the student is eligible to apply to the College of Law under the 3+3 Program; the College of Law will consider the admission of these students on a case-by-case basis.

Stetson University faculty in the undergraduate program and in law encourage students with a serious interest in law to take full advantage of the undergraduate program over four years. The 4+3 program, with direct admission to the College of Law, is thus an attractive option.

The 4+3 Direct Admissions Program allows undergraduate students to study at the University and University alumni to gain admission to the College of Law based on certain academic credentials. If a student meets these credentials, admission to the College of Law will be virtually automatic, assuming the student also meets the College of Law's character and fitness requirements.

Interested students must meet the program's eligibility requirements, as outlined below:

  1. Be an alumnus or student in any major at the University who has completed at least 90 credits; 48 of these credits must have been completed at the University;
  2. Complete all requirements for the Stetson University Bachelor's degree before matriculating at the College of Law;
  3. Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in courses taken at Stetson University at the time of application to the College of Law;
  4. Earn a minimum score on the LSAT at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the College of Law;
  5. Apply to the College of Law for admission into the full-time J.D. program between October 1st and May 15th in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study; and
  6. Meet the College of Law's character and fitness requirements and comply with the College of Law's general admissions policies.

Alternative Eligibility for the Direct Admissions Program: An exemplary student who (A) wishes to participate in the Direct Admissions Program, (B) did not qualify to apply for the Direct Admissions Program because of his or her LSAT score, but (C) who meets all other eligibility requirements, may petition the College of Law Office of Admissions and Student Financial Aid for an exception. The College of Law Faculty Committee on Admissions will determine whether the student is eligible to gain admission to the College of Law under the Direct Admissions Program.

The 4+3 Direct Admissions Program (the "Direct Admissions Program") allows Honors Program students at the University and University alumni to gain admission to the College of Law based on specified academic credentials. If a student meets these credentials, admission to the College of Law will be secured, assuming the student also meets the College of Law's character and fitness requirements. 

The undergraduate program will screen applicants to determine whether the undergraduate student meets the basic eligibility requirements to apply to the College of Law under the Direct Admissions Program. It will also counsel and advise eligible students who declare an intention to apply to the College of Law under the Direct Admission Program. 

Interested students must meet the program's eligibility requirements, as outlined below:

  1. Be an alumnus or student who has completed the Honors Program curriculum in good standing at Stetson University;
  2. Completed 48 semester hours at the University or as part of a University-sponsored study abroad program;
  3. Complete all requirements for the Stetson University Bachelor's degree before matriculating at the College of Law;
  4. Earn a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.3 in courses taken at Stetson University and now lower than a 3.0 G.P.A. on all transferred courses;
  5. By January 15th, earn a minimum score on the LSAT at the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the College of Law. Students who score higher may be eligible for additional scholarship assistance;
  6. Apply to the College of Law for admission into the full-time J.D. program between October 1st and May 15th in the academic year before the student intends to begin J.D. study; and 
  7. Meet the College of Law's character and fitness requirements and comply with the College of Law's general admissions policies. 

Student Responsibilities: Students must participate in at least one endorsed event, such as an open house at the College of Law of meeting with the dean during a campus visit during the year prior to matriculation to the College of Law. Students must also meet (by phone or in person) with an admission counselor at the College of Law to review the admissions process. 

 Alternative Eligibility for the Direct Admissions Program: An exemplary student who (A) wishes to participate in the Direct Admissions Program, (B) did not qualify to apply for the Direct Admissions Program because of his or her LSAT score, but (C) who meets all other Section III eligibility requirements, may petition the College of Law Office of Admissions and Student Financial Planning for an exception. The College of Law Faculty Committee on Admissions will determine whether the student is eligible to gain admission to the College of Law under the Direct Admissions Program.