Accelerated Baccalaureate Lewis and Clark Law Degree

The Portland State University's 3+3 program will enable qualified PSU students to earn a BA or BS degree and a law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School in a total of six years. PSU students may be admitted to the 3+3 program anytime during their first two years of undergraduate study.

At the end of their third year at PSU, having completed all degree requirements for an identified BA or BS degree in a program in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences or College of Urban and Public Affairs (with the exception of 45 hours of upper-division electives), qualified students may be admitted to law school. The student’s first-year law courses will satisfy the elective requirements for the PSU degree. After completing the additional two years in law school, participating students will have completed both the Bachelor's and Juris Doctor degrees in six years (three years enrolled at PSU and three years enrolled in law school). 

The 3+3 Program is an accelerated curriculum for students who want to complete their education more quickly, reducing costs and student loan debt at a time when the cost of higher education is a matter of increasing concern.  Students who successfully complete this program will earn both an undergraduate and law degree (BA/JD) in six years, rather than the traditional seven. 

Admission Criteria

• Minimum combined (Critical Reading, Math, and Writing) SAT score of 1950 or composite ACT score of 29
• Minimum high school GPA of 3.5
• An essay submitted during the student’s first two years at PSU describing the reasons for applying to the program and the capacities that will enable the student’s success in an accelerated program
• An in-person interview with the Program Admission Committee, which will consist of the PSU Pre law Coordinator, the student's major advisor at PSU, and the Director of Admissions at Lewis & Clark Law School, demonstrating the qualities of maturity, focus, and discipline required of program participants
• Participation in a Baccalaureate/Law Program orientation session

Students apply for admission to Lewis & Clark Law school during their junior year at PSU. 

By the end of the junior year, students must:

• Complete all requirements for an eligible major in PSU's College of Liberal Arts or College of Urban and Public Affairs
• Complete all requirements for University Studies
• Complete all general education and baccalaureate requirements, except for total credits, for the BA or BS degree
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher
• Complete the equivalent of 135 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits as admitted students at PSU immediately prior to matriculating at Lewis & Clark.
• Achieve a Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score in their junior year that is no lower than the median LSAT for Lewis & Clark Law School. Complete all required law school application materials and comply with all other law school admission requirements

Post-baccalaureate students and most transfer students are not eligible for this program.