A new partnership between Mississippi College and William Carey University allows students interested in pursuing a law degree access to an accelerated pathway.
A Memorandum of Understanding between WCU and the MC School of Law, signed Feb. 25, allows qualified William Carey students to earn both their bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate within six years of study, decreasing the total length of undergraduate studies plus law school by one full year.
“Through this partnership with William Carey University, we are expanding opportunities for students, strengthening legal education across our state, and helping ensure that future lawyers can pursue their calling and build their careers right here in Mississippi,” said MC President Blake Thompson.
MC Provost and Executive Vice President Mike Highfield said the agreement reflects MC's commitment to building thoughtful partnerships that expand opportunity for students across Mississippi.
“By creating a streamlined pathway to the Juris Doctor, we are reducing both the time and cost required to earn a law degree while preserving the rigor and excellence of the MC School of Law,” Highfield said. “We are grateful for this collaboration and look forward to welcoming William Carey students to MC Law.”
Students who have completed three-fourths of the coursework required for a bachelor’s degree from WCU will be eligible for admission to law school. After the student successfully completes the first year of the JD program with a grade of C or higher in each course, WCU will assign academic credit based on the transfer equivalencies outlined in the participating degree program and award the appropriate bachelor’s degree.
After the student completes all law school requirements, MC will award the JD degree.
“We are always looking for ways to partner with other schools and organizations, which will benefit our students,” William Carey University President Ben Burnett said. “This partnership is particularly special because we are partnering with a sister Mississippi Baptist institution.”
Students participating in the accelerated degree program may earn an undergraduate degree in history, political science or administration of justice. They must take the Law School Admission Test and earn a competitive score no later than December of their third year of full-time enrollment at WCU.
Participating students must also apply to law school no later than February of the third year of undergraduate study using the standard process and criteria for law school admission.
Mississippi College School of Law Dean John Anderson said MC Law is a natural partner for William Carey University in their shared mission of providing a quality, faith-based education.
“This three plus three arrangement allows students to earn an undergraduate and law degree in six years rather than seven, saving a full year of tuition and expenses, while helping to keep Mississippi’s best and brightest future attorneys in our state,” Anderson said.
“This partnership between MC Law and WCU builds a pathway shaped by a Christian worldview that will give some of our brightest minds the opportunity to study law and practice in Mississippi,” said WCU Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Noal Cochran. “It’s an effort rooted in our shared Baptist faith and a commitment to providing quality education to our students – and opportunity to the clients they will serve.”
Transfer students are not eligible for the program: only incoming freshmen with a 26 ACT score or 1180 SAT score will qualify. Once admitted, students are expected to maintain at least a 3.25 GPA in their undergraduate work to remain competitive for early admission to the Mississippi College School of Law. Acceptance into the 3+3 program does not automatically guarantee admission to MC Law.
MC Law started educating future attorneys in 1930 as the Jackson School of Law in Jackson, Miss. The State Capitol, Mississippi Supreme Court, federal courts and many of Mississippi’s most respected law firms are just steps from the campus, giving students access to practical experience in the field before graduation.
For more information about MC Law’s 3+3 program, visit www.mc.edu/academics/departments/history/undergraduate-programs/3-3-law.
