3+3 Law Program (Bachelor's & JD)

Earn your bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor within three years in Sacred Heart University’s 3+3 Bachelor’s & JD Program.

If chosen for this select academic program, a student can earn a bachelor’s and JD by completing all required credits for their degree program at Sacred Heart University within three years (90 credits). The balance of their undergraduate credits (30 credits) will be completed during their first year of law school at Seton Hall University or Villanova University.

Declare a major from one of the following programs:

Program Requirements

Students are required to:

• Follow the requirements of their declared Sacred Heart major
• Meet the minimum cumulative GPA standard of 3.25 at the end of the freshman year, and 3.50 at the end of each year
• Maintain good social standing while enrolled at Sacred Heart
• Take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) by October of their third year of undergraduate education and score in the 75th percentile or higher
• Earn a letter grade of C or higher in all courses that will satisfy the BS or BA requirements during their first year of legal study at Seton Hall or Villanova

Sacred Heart faculty advisors will assist admitted students to ensure program requirements are met. Seton Hall and Villanova admissions will be responsible for final review and evaluation prior to entry into the respective JD degree program. Admitted students who fail to meet program requirements may still be considered for regular admission to law school at Seton Hall or Villanova.

Eligibility & Admission Requirements

Seton Hall Law School 3+3 Bachelor's & JD Program

Qualified high school seniors and high school graduates enrolling as first-time, full-time Sacred Heart students may apply to the accelerated (3+3) program. Rising sophomores who meet the criteria may also apply. The criteria for initial admission to the program are:

• High school grade point average of 3.50 or top 10% overall rank
• Letters of recommendation from high school teachers or guidance counselors
• Demonstrated rigorous high school curriculum as evidenced by AP, IB and/or honors level coursework
• Evidence of breadth and depth of focus as shown by participation and leadership in school and/or community activities
• Minimum SAT composite score of 1300 with each of 2 section scores not less than 650
• As a test-optional institution, Sacred Heart will consider SAT scores for applicants who submit; however, SAT scores are not required.
  • Students who do not submit SAT scores can be provisionally admitted to this program; these students have to maintain a minimum Sacred Heart cumulative GPA of 3.5 at the end of each year to continue in the program
• Personal interview with Sacred Heart admissions

Sacred Heart students admitted to the joint program meeting the LSAT and GPA requirements will automatically be considered for the Seton Hall Law School “Presidential” Scholarship.

Villanova Charles Widger School of Law 3+3 Bachelor's & JD Program

Third-year students (juniors) or fourth-year students (graduating seniors) at Sacred Heart will be offered direct admission to the School of Law under this Agreement if they have or will have:

• Completed at least three (3) years of coursework and a minimum of 72 credits at Sacred Heart;
• Earned a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA. (as calculated by the Law School Admission Council, or "LSAC") above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the School of Law;
• Taken the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than January of their junior year and earned a minimum score at or above the 75th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at the School of Law for third-year students (juniors); scored above the median of the most recent class to matriculate at the School of Law for fourth-year students (seniors);
• Applied by February 1 of the year in which they seek to enter the School of Law (juniors);
• Obtained a strong recommendation from Sacred Heart’s pre-law advisor;
• Interviewed successfully with the School of Law prior to receiving a final admission decision;
• Remained in good academic and disciplinary standing (throughout their matriculation at Sacred Heart); and
• Met all of the fitness, character and other holistic criteria for admission required by the Office of Admission of the School of Law.

General Considerations

• The application fee will be waived for those students who satisfy all the above eligibility criteria and apply through this agreement
• Third-year students (juniors) who qualify for direct admission pursuant to this agreement will receive an annual full-tuition scholarship during their three years of law school
• For students who begin the JD program upon completion of their third year, and who successfully complete the first year of coursework in the JD program, a maximum of 30 credits may be transferred to Sacred Heart and will count toward the bachelor's degree at Sacred Heart and will also count toward the JD degree

Tuition

Tuition for the duration of the program spent at Sacred Heart, including summer courses, if any, shall be the same tuition charged to students in other Sacred Heart programs. Tuition will not be charged by Sacred Heart for the fourth year of the 3+3 program. Tuition during the three years of study at Seton Hall or Villanova law schools will be the same as the tuition charged to students enrolled in the regular curriculum at Seton Hall or Villanova.

View Tuition & Fees