B.A./J.D. Dual-Degree Program

Highly talented and qualified students have the opportunity to complete both a bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree in six years rather than seven through the  B.A./J.D. dual-degree program, a joint endeavor of the Camden College of Arts and Sciences and Rutgers Law School in Camden.

This program provides the opportunity for dual B.A./J.D. students to complete all general education requirements and all requirements for a major in the College of Arts and Sciences in three years. Dual-degree candidates must perform sufficiently well to be able to participate in the Honors College. If determined to be qualified, they then enter Rutgers Law School in Camden. Credits earned during the students' required first-year law courses shall be deemed to complete the students' requirements for a B.A. degree, provided that the students have earned at least 91 credits in the College of Arts and Sciences prior to matriculation at the law school. The students will receive their B.A. degree upon successful completion of all first-year law courses, normally at the end of their fourth year of study, and dual-degree students shall be eligible to participate in the College of Arts and Science's graduation ceremonies at the end of their fourth year. 

Students selected for this program will need rigorous advising so that they successfully meet the College of Arts and Sciences' graduation requirements and Rutgers Law School's entry requirements. The Honors College director and the pre-law adviser for the College of Arts and Sciences will serve as the primary points of contact with the students during their first three years; however, students must also be sure to meet the requirements of their academic major. Dual-degree candidates must be accepted into and participate fully in the special pre-law advisory program for dual-degree candidates and must be recommended for continuation in the dual-degree program by the program's coordinator.

Requirements

• An undergraduate GPA matching the median of the academic year (currently 3.4)
• An LSAT score at or above the median of the academic year (currently 155)
• Be on track to complete your general education and major requirements by your junior year
• Take the LSAT and apply to Rutgers Law School during your junior year

Exhibit a superior ability to succeed by:

• Scoring on the LSAT at or above the 75th percentile nationwide (currently 158)
• Earning an undergraduate GPA at or above the 75th percentile for Rutgers applicants to law school (currently 3.70)
• Having life experiences, a background, or accomplishments which indicate the ability to overcome challenges and contribute to the dialogue in the law school classroom

LSAT Prep

All law school applications are submitted online through the Law School Admissions Council (lsac.org) who also administer the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). To help prepare for this test, utilize the free Khan Academy LSAT prep: https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/lsat.

Read more about the program at law.rutgers.edu/33-program.

Students participating in this accelerated program complete their first year of law school courses during their fourth undergraduate year. To prepare for this fourth year, they must complete all undergraduate course requirements in general education and in their chosen major and compile at least 91 credits during their first three years. The 29 credits required during the first year of law school count toward both degrees.

Normally, 3+3 Program students are awarded their bachelor's degrees at the end of their fourth year. The J.D. is typically awarded after two additional years as a full-time law student on successful completion of the required course credits in Rutgers Law School and of all other J.D. requirements.

Application to the B.A./J.D. Program

Students entering Rutgers-Camden from high school should apply to the program after they have been admitted to Rutgers-Camden.

For students already enrolled at Rutgers-Camden and seeking admission after their freshman year: apply by September 15 of the sophomore year.

If you would like to apply to the program or ask any questions, you should contact Professor Anthony Grasso - agrasso@camden.rutgers.edu, the pre-law adviser for the B.A./J.D. program for the Camden College of Arts and Sciences. 

Application to the Rutgers Law School in Camden

To enhance their opportunity for acceptance, dual-degree students should apply to Rutgers Law School in Camden for early admission by January 15 of their junior year, and must complete the application process required of all applicants to the law school. They must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) by no later than December of their junior year and should achieve a score equal to or exceeding the median LSAT score achieved by students entering the law school in the preceding year. The law school will admit students who achieve this score and meet all other admissions requirements; however, failure to achieve the requisite LSAT score will not automatically result in denial of admission to the law school. In addition, they must present a minimum GPA of 3.4 or its equivalent at the end of their fifth semester at Rutgers-Camden. At least three-fourths of the College of Arts and Sciences requirements for the bachelor's degree must be completed before matriculation at the law school. The law school may require a personal interview of the applicant.

Applicants to Rutgers Law School in Camden from the dual-degree program should present evidence of strong analytical and writing skills. To ensure that they have had opportunities for research, seminar, and/or independent study experiences expected of applicants to the law school, students should complete (1) at least two writing courses beyond basic first-year writing and (2) an advanced level seminar or independent study in their major field of study no later than their junior year. Additionally, it is recommended that their prelaw courses include a basic course in each of the American Constitution or system of government, logic, and statistics, and that they be proficient in computer use, including at a minimum word processing, email, and internet research.

Rutgers Law School in Camden reserves the right to deny admission to any person who is not deemed of good character and/or has been charged with, arrested for, or convicted of the violation of any law (other than minor traffic violations), dismissed, expelled, suspended, or disciplined within Rutgers or elsewhere for academic or any other reasons.

Contacts

For further information, contact Professor Anthony Grasso agrasso@camden.rutgers.edu, the pre-law adviser for the B.A./J.D. program for the Camden College of Arts and Sciences.