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  Camden Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2010 Degree Requirements Requirements B.A./J.D. Dual-Degree Program  

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


Highly talented and qualified students have the opportunity to complete both a bachelor of arts and a juris doctor 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 the Rutgers School of Law-Camden.

This program provides the opportunity for 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 the law school. Credits earned during the students' first-year required law courses shall be deemed to complete the students' requirements for a bachelor of arts. The students will receive their bachelor of arts 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 arts and sciences graduation requirements and law school entry requirements. The prelaw adviser for the College of Arts and Sciences will serve as the primary point of contact with the students during their first three years. Dual-degree candidates must be accepted into and participate fully in the special prelaw advisory program for dual-degree candidates, and must be recommended for continuation in the dual-degree program by the program's coordinator.

Eligibility/Procedures

In order to qualify for the program, students will have to meet admissions requirements for both schools. Students should note that separate applications are required for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Rutgers School of Law-Camden, and acceptance into the College of Arts and Sciences does not guarantee acceptance by the law school.

Dual B.A./J.D. students applying to the College of Arts and Sciences must have (1) a minimum verbal SAT of 600 or combined SAT of 1250 and (2) a minimum high school grade-point average of 3.75 (on a four-point scale). Students who do not meet these initial criteria may still apply for consideration for the program at the end of their first year, provided that they have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and that space is available in the program. Given the nature of the program, admission is not available for transfer students. Students who are not admitted to the law school must complete additional course work in the College of Arts and Sciences in order to graduate.

After matriculation in law school and upon the student's successful completion of the eight required first-year courses, the bachelor's degree will be awarded. The juris doctor will be awarded upon successful completion of the required 84 course credits of law school work and all other J.D. requirements (typically after three years as a full-time student at the law school).

Admission

Students should indicate their interest in this program to the Rutgers-Camden Office of Undergraduate Admissions when they make their initial application to Rutgers-Camden, at which time their credentials will be evaluated. To enhance their opportunity for acceptance, dual-degree students should apply to the law school 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 Camden 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 School of Law-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 Rutgers School of Law-Camden, 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, accounting, and statistics, and that they be proficient in computer use, including at a minimum word processing, email, and internet research.

Rutgers School of Law-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 reason.

Costs

During their three years at Camden College of Arts and Sciences, students will pay tuition and fees to Rutgers at the undergraduate rate. During the three years at the law school, students will pay tuition and fees at the law school rate. Financial aid will be calculated in accordance with the host school's then-current student eligibility policies and administered by the host institution. Students should be advised that they will no longer be eligible for certain types of financial aid when they enter the law school. Students should discuss financing options with the financial aid office.

 
For additional information, contact RU-info at 732/932-info (4636) or colonel.henry@rutgers.edu.
Comments and corrections to: Campus Information Services.

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