Accelerated Programs - Pre-Law Program - Christopher Newport University

Pre-Law Program

Accelerated Programs

The 3+3 Accelerated Program offers highly motivated undergraduates a fast track to earn both a bachelor's degree at Christopher Newport and a law degree at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School in six, rather than seven, years of study.

After completing three years at CNU and gaining admission to the law school, participants will become a full-time, first-year law student, a “1L,” at the School of Law on George Mason's Arlington campus. Participants will follow the usual course of study for full-time, first-year law students.

Upon successful completion of the first year of law study, the credits earned in law school will be counted toward the juris doctorate degree and as elective credits sufficient to complete CNU's requirements for the bachelor’s degree. First-year law school grades will not be calculated in participants’ CNU grade point average.

Students participating in the program must satisfy all of the following requirements for consideration for admission to George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School:

  • Complete all core curriculum and major-specific courses at CNU by the end of the sixth semester of study
  • Take the LSAT no later than December of the final undergraduate year and obtain a score equal to or exceeding the median LSAT of the preceding year for Mason Law students
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA as calculated by the Law School Admission Council of 3.25
  • Submit the entire law school application through the Law School Admission Council by January 1 of the year of desired enrollment
  • Complete an interview with the admissions staff of the law school

Admission to George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School is not guaranteed; rather, the law school will conduct a holistic review of each application. Any participating student who withdraws from the law program or who fails to successfully complete the first year of law school may return without re-application to Christopher Newport for completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Gaining admission to George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School does not obligate a student to enter law school. Instead, a student may opt to complete his or her degree at Christopher Newport University and then pursue law school or other career avenues. Those who continue on to law school in the Accelerated Program and earn the juris doctorate in three years will graduate from law school a year earlier than students completing their bachelor’s degree in four years.

The 3+3 Accelerated Program offers highly motivated undergraduates a fast track to earn both a bachelor's degree at Christopher Newport and a law degree at Regent University School of Law in six, rather than seven, years of study.

Participants in the Accelerated Program who earn a law degree in three years will graduate from law school a year earlier than students completing their bachelor’s degree in four years.

After completing three years at Christopher Newport and gaining admission to the law school, participants will become a full-time, first-year law student, a “1L,” at the School of Law on Regent’s Virginia Beach campus. Participants will follow the usual course of study for full-time, first-year law students.

Upon successful completion of the first year of law study, the credits earned in law school will be counted toward the juris doctorate degree and as elective credits sufficient to complete requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Christopher Newport. First-year law school grades are not calculated in participants’ CNU grade point average.

Students participating in the program must satisfy all of the following requirements for consideration for admission to Regent University School of Law:

  • Complete 90 or more credit hours at Christopher Newport by the time they begin law school, and complete all credit hours required for their major and the Liberal Learning Core Curriculum.
  • Take the LSAT. Students who earn an LSAT score and have a GPA higher than Regent’s current medians will automatically receive a 75% scholarship. All other students will receive scholarships on a case-by-case basis but will never receive less than a 25% scholarship when they are admitted.
  • Earn at least a C or better in each Regent course in order for Christopher Newport to accept the course as undergraduate credit.
  • Submit the entire law school application through the Law School Admission Council by June 1 of the year of desired enrollment.

Admission to Regent University School of Law is not guaranteed; rather, the law school will conduct a holistic review of each application. Any participating student who withdraws from the law program or who fails to successfully complete the first year of law school may return without re-application to Christopher Newport for completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Gaining admission to Regent University School of Law does not obligate a student to enter law school. Instead, a student may opt to complete his or her degree at Christopher Newport University and then pursue law school or other career avenues.

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