3+3 Bachelor's/Juris Doctorate Program

Earn a Bachelor's and Juris Doctorate degree in six years.

Suffolk University Law School

The 3+3 program enables students to attend Suffolk University Law School after three years of study at Framingham State University (FSU). This is an accelerated program that allows the participants to complete their undergraduate studies and law degree in six (6) years.  Courses that students take in their first year of law school will count as free electives at FSU, which will allow them to complete their undergraduate degree requirements. Students choosing an accelerated program or those choosing to complete their undergraduate general education and major program requirements in three (3) years would be eligible. The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is awarded following the successful completion of the first year of law school (as noted on an official transcript sent from Suffolk University).

Selected students start at Suffolk University Law School after their junior year at Framingham State University.  Students may apply to the Suffolk Law School program no later than April 1st of their junior year at FSU.

Interested students should meet with their major academic adviser and the Pre-Law Advisor early on to make sure they complete all necessary undergraduate courses and credits.  The Pre-Law Advisor for Framingham State University is Dr. Christopher McCarthy-Latimer.

Matriculation Requirements to Suffolk University Law School

  • Maintain at least a 3.30 overall GPA while at FSU;
  • Obtain a Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) score equal to or greater than the Suffolk University Law School’s median score of the prior year;
  • Provide at least one (1) letter of academic recommendation from an FSU faculty member by January 1st prior to the fall start in law school;
  • Submit a completed Suffolk University Law School application no later than April 1st of their junior year at FSU (Suffolk University Law School will waive the application fee);
  • Complete required Framingham courses before beginning at the law school, including all major program requirements and General Education requirements, which need to be completed by the end of the student’s junior year.

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth Law School

The 3+3 program enables students to attend University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth Law School (UMass Law) after three years of study at Framingham State University (FSU). This is an accelerated program that allows the participants to complete their undergraduate studies and law degree in six (6) years.  Courses that students take in their first year of law school will count as free electives at FSU, which will allow them to complete their undergraduate degrees.  The program is very demanding and geared towards a select group of students.  Students who demonstrate a commitment to the mission of Framingham and UMass Law are highly appropriate candidates. Students choosing an accelerated program or those choosing to complete their degree requirements in three (3) years would be eligible. The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science is awarded following the completion of the first year of law school. 

Selected students start at UMass Law after their junior year at Framingham State University.  Students may apply to the UMass Law program at:

 the end of the 1st semester of their freshman year or,

 the end of 2nd semester freshman year or,

 the end of the 1st semester of their sophomore year or,

 the 2nd semester of their sophomore year. 

Completion of the program will yield a baccalaureate degree from Framingham as well as a juris doctor from UMass Law.

Matriculation Requirements to UMass Law

  • In compliance with American Bar Association Standard 502, successful completion by the end of the junior year of at least three-fourths of the credits leading to a bachelor’s degree (i.e., the students must complete at least 24 graduation credits or 96 hours);
  • Earned a 3.00 grade point average (GPA) during the three years of FSU undergraduate study;
  • Satisfied all major requirements;
  • Satisfied all general education requirements;
  • A minimum score of 150 on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT);
  • Satisfy the character and fitness requirements appropriate for admission to law school;
  • Fulfillment of all admissions requirements normally imposed by UMass Law, including but not limited to:
    • Completing a law school application for basic information and to register for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) by December of the student’s junior year at FSU;
  • An accepted student to the UMass Law Program can defer for one year without penalty. The student has to enroll the following year.  If not, the student will no longer be in the UMass Law Program;
  • Failure to meet the above criteria will result in the student being withdrawn from the 3+3 program. These students may apply through the regular process as a candidate for admission to the law school following the completion of his/her undergraduate degree.
  • If a student is lacking one or two courses to satisfy their degree or general education requirements, they may be given the summer session following their junior year to complete these courses.