Political Science/JD Degree Accelerated, BA

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Juris Doctor Degree Accelerated (370017BA) 

More on the Political Science Accelerated major 

For undergraduates in select programs, you can earn your bachelor’s and law degrees in six years instead of seven. To complete law school, you typically need four years to complete a bachelor’s degree and three years to complete a law degree (juris doctor degree).

Akron Law’s new 3 + 3 Program allows eligible undergraduate students participating in partner programs to apply to Akron Law in their junior year of college.

Students admitted under the program fulfill their senior year of undergraduate credits through the successful completion of their first-year law school courses, allowing them to graduate with both a bachelor’s and law degree in just six years, saving a year of tuition and related costs, and they begin their legal careers a year ahead of time.

Applicants

Pursuant to Akron Law’s 3 + 3 policy, an applicant must be in his or her junior year and participating in a partner program. Applicants must also meet his or her undergraduate institution’s criteria for eligibility.

Typically, you must have a 3.4 grade point average and 150 LSAT score to qualify for admission.  However, this might vary depending on your program.  Each undergraduate institution determines which majors and programs are eligible for participation. 

Application requirements

In addition to being an eligible junior in a partner program, applicants must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), complete the law school application, and submit a certification of eligibility from the partner program. Applicants can request the certification form from the contact person at their institution as listed above. 3 + 3 candidates are considered alongside Akron Law’s regular pool of applicants.

Applicants to the 3 + 3 program are encouraged to take the LSAT in October or December of their junior year in college and apply in January after their fall grades are available. However, later applications, including those from June LSAT-takers, will also be considered.

The following information has official approval of The Department of Political Science, The School of Law and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.

Requirements

Summary

General Education Requirements36
College of Arts & Sciences Requirements14
Political Science Core 27-33
Additional Credits for Graduation *13-7
Total Hours90
*

Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours for graduation. Students admitted to University of Akron School of Law will receive BA in Political Science after completing 30 credits during the first year of law school.

Note: A GPA of 3.4 overall is needed to complete the degree along with a minimum Political Science GPA of a 2.2  

Recommended General Education Courses

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major.
Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations.
Academic Foundations12
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours
Speaking: 3 credit hours
Writing: 6 credit hours
Breadth of Knowledge 22
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours
Government & Politics in the United States
World Politics & Government
Diversity
Domestic Diversity
Global Diversity
Comparative Politics
Integrated and Applied Learning2
Select one class from one of the following subcategories:
Complex Issues Facing Society
Capstone
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings.
Total Hours36

College of Arts & Sciences Requirements

Degree requirements in Arts & Sciences include the demonstration of ability to use another language by completion of the second year of a foreign language.
2 Year Language Proficiency14
101 Beginning I
102 Beginning II
201 Intermediate I
202 Intermediate II
Survey of Deaf Culture in America (American Sign Language option only)
Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either:
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major;
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops

Political Science Core

POLIT:100Government & Politics in the United States3
POLIT:150World Politics & Government3
POLIT:301Introduction to Political Research3
POLIT:300Comparative Politics3
POLIT:203Introduction to Political Thought3
POLIT:395Internship in Government & Politics3-9
POLIT:360The Judicial Process3
or POLIT:335 Law & Society
POLIT:461The Supreme Court & Constitutional Law3
POLIT:462The Supreme Court & Civil Liberties3
Total Hours27-33

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
POLIT:100 Government & Politics in the United States 3
ENGL:111 English Composition I 3
MODL:101 Beginning Modern Language I 4
MATH:135 Mathematics for Everyday Life 3
COMM:105 Introduction to Public Speaking 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
POLIT:150 World Politics & Government 3
POLIT:301 Introduction to Political Research 3
MODL:102 Beginning Modern Language II 4
ENGL:112 English Composition II 3
Arts Requirement 3
 Hours16
2nd Year
Fall Semester
MODL:201 Intermediate Modern Language I 3
POLIT:203 Introduction to Political Thought 3
POLIT:300 Comparative Politics 3
Natural Science Requirement with lab 4
Humanities Requirement 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
POLIT:360
The Judicial Process
or Law & Society
3
MODL:202 Intermediate Modern Language II 3
Natural Science Requirement 3
Arts/Humanities Requirement 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
3rd Year
Fall Semester
POLIT:461 The Supreme Court & Constitutional Law 3
Domestic Diversity Requirement 3
Upper Level Elective 3
Free Elective 6
 Hours15
Spring Semester
POLIT:462 The Supreme Court & Civil Liberties 3
POLIT:395 Internship in Government & Politics 3-9
Complex Issues Requirement 3
Free Elective 6
 Hours15-21
4th Year
Fall Semester
First Year Law courses 15
 Hours15
Spring Semester
First Year Law courses 15
 Hours15
 Total Hours123-129