RALEIGH – Campbell Law School and William Peace University have partnered to create an accelerated dual degree option for students seeking to earn undergraduate and juris doctor degrees. The institutions have joined to create a “3+3” accelerated dual degree program, designed for William Peace University (WPU) students to earn an undergraduate degree and a juris doctor from Campbell Law in six years rather than seven. In addition to the William Peace partnership, Campbell Law also has a 3+3 program in place for undergraduates attending Meredith College and Salem College as well as Methodist and Campbell Universities.
“This is a unique pathway for the top William Peace University students to focus on law school early in their collegiate careers.”
Campbell Law Dean J. Rich Leonard
A student enrolled in the 3+3 program will spend three years at WPU, completing general education requirements and the coursework for their major. In their fourth year, the student will begin study at Campbell Law, and the credits earned during that year will complete their undergraduate degree while counting towards the law degree. Students can continue to live on campus at WPU during this fourth year. Officials note that this option will save students both time and money compared to more typical higher learning tracks.
There are a wide variety of majors including BA in Criminal Justice, BA in Political Science and BA in Pre-Law offered at WPU to students who participate in the 3+3 program.
“This is a unique pathway for the top William Peace University students to focus on law school early in their collegiate careers,” said Campbell Law Dean J. Rich Leonard.
WPU has a proven track record of preparing students for success in law school, according to Elizabeth Kusko, Associate Professor of Political Science and Program Director for Criminal Justice, Political Science, and Pre-Laws and the WPU pre-law advisor. “We are thrilled with the William Peace University and Campbell University Law School articulation agreement. Throughout my time here, I have seen many WPU students excitedly apply to Campbell Law, attracted to their outstanding and nationally-recognized program and also to the familiar, downtown Raleigh location. To be able to complete both a bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor degree in six years is an incredible opportunity, and I look forward to navigating this journey with future WPU and CU graduates and lawyers.”
William Peace University and Campbell Law School share many characteristics that seek to make this partnership attractive to students. Both institutions offer small class sizes and supportive faculty, along with all the benefits of their location in the heart of North Carolina’s capital city.
“We are so excited about this partnership with Campbell Law School to establish the 3 + 3 program. We have numerous students interested in pursuing legal studies beyond William Peace University each year, and this new relationship provides an accelerated pathway to law school for our outstanding students – right here in Raleigh,” offers Dr. Brian C. Ralph, President of WPU.