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.
