BA/JD Dual Degree Program

Program Description

Eligibility

Application to the Program

Application to Law School

Costs

Contacts

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  BA/JD Dual Degree Program, a joint endeavor of the Camden College of Arts and Sciences and the Rutgers Law School--Camden.

This program provides the opportunity for Dual BA/JD students 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, provided that students have earned at least 92 credits in the College of Arts and Sciences prior to matriculation at the Law School.  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 4th year.  See the table below for guidance about what courses to take when;  note that some of the information in this table pertains only to students enrolled in the Honors College.

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 pre-law advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences will serve as the primary point of contact with the students during their first three years;  however, students must also be sure to meet the requirements of their academic major.  Dual degree candidates must be accepted into and participate fully in the special pre-law advisory program for dual degree candidates, and must be recommended for continuation in the dual-degree program by the program’s coordinator.

Eligibility:  

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 Law School, and acceptance into the College of Arts and Sciences does not guarantee acceptance by the Law School.

Dual BA/JD students applying as freshmen to the College of Arts and Sciences must have (1) a minimum critical reading SAT of 600 or combined (critical reading and mathematics) SAT of 1250 and (2) a 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 freshman year at Rutgers-Camden, provided that they have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and that space is available in the program.  Given the intensive 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 JD requirements (typically after three years as a full time student at the Law School).

Application to the BA/JD program::

Students may indicate their interest in this program to the Rutgers-Camden Office of Undergraduate Admissions when they make their initial application to Rutgers-Camden.  If you would like to apply to the program or ask any questions, you should contact Dr. Allen Woll, the advisor for the BA/JD program for the College of Arts and Sciences.  Access the application form here.

Deadlines for application:

For students enrolling for their first year at Rutgers-Camden: October 15th of the first year.

For students already enrolled at Rutgers-Camden and seeking admission after their first year: September 15th of the sophomore year.

Application to the law school:

Once enrolled in the Camden College of Arts and Sciences, students should meet with Dr. Allen Woll, the advisor for the BA/JD program for the College of Arts and Sciences.   To enhance their opportunity for acceptance, Dual Degree students should apply to the Law School for early admission by January 15th 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 CCAS 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 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 2 writing courses beyond basic freshman 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 pre-law courses include a basic course in each of the American constitution or system of government, logic, and statistics, and that they be proficient in computer use, including at a minimum word processing, email and internet research.

Rutgers School of Law 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 CCAS, 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.

Any student holding a CCAS scholarship should note that this scholarship is exclusively for students enrolled as undergraduates on the Camden campus and does not transfer to any program on the New Brunswick or Newark campuses or to any graduate or professional program on the Camden campus.  Students should be advised that while federal and private loans are available at both the undergraduate and law schools, scholarships and grants must be applied for and shall be awarded separately by each school and shall only apply while the student is enrolled at the respective school.

Students should discuss financing options with the financial aid office as part of their planning process.

Contacts:

For further information, contact Dr. Allen Woll, the advisor for the BA/JD program for the College of Arts and Sciences.  Honors College students should meet with the Director to discuss this opportunity.

The Pre-Law advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences is Dr. Alan Tarr.

Please note that this table suggests a program for students enrolled in the Honors College;  other students should consult with an advisor in their major department for guidance.
 

Select your course on the American Constitution or American system of government from those listed below:

790:215    Introduction to American Government
790:401    American Constitutional Development
790:409    Law and American Civilization
790:414    The Supreme Court as a Political Institution
790:442    Human Freedoms and the Constitution
790: 447    Critical Issues in American Government