Mississippi State students who aspire to become attorneys now have a new accelerated pathway into the legal profession thanks to a new University partnership with Mississippi College.
Mississippi State University and Mississippi College Law formally signed an agreement on August 21, 2024 allowing qualified MSU students to enter MC’s Juris Doctorate program before fully completing an MSU Bachelor’s Degree, shortening the total length of undergraduate studies plus law school by one full year.
MSU President Mark E. Keenum and MC President Blake Thompson signed the Memorandum of Understanding alongside MSU Provost and Executive Vice President David Shaw, MSU Executive Vice Provost Peter Ryan, MC Provost and Executive Vice President Mike Highfield, and MC Law Dean John Anderson.
“Mississippi State and Mississippi College share similar values and a commitment to serve, and I’m so pleased we have been able to work with President Thompson and his leadership team to develop this accelerated academic pathway,” Keenum said. “It’s an exceptional opportunity for students, our institutions, and the state of Mississippi.”
MSU students who have completed 75% of the coursework required for a Bachelor’s Degree will be eligible for admission to MC Law. After the student successfully completes the first year of the J.D. program (30 hours), MSU will award the appropriate Bachelor’s Degree. Then, after completing requirements for the J.D. degree, MC Law will award this professional diploma. MC Law will accept applications Sept. 1-March 31 for admission to the entering class for the following fall semester, which begins each August.
“This new partnership between MSU and MC Law allows us to better serve Mississippi by pairing our state’s largest land-grant university and its only capital city law school. The arrangement offers a tremendous benefit to the students of both institutions, and it will help to keep our brightest future lawyers in the state,” said Thompson.
Students enrolled in the 3+3 program must be admitted to MC Law. They will apply to the law school program using the application process provided by the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). Letters of recommendations are not required but strongly recommended.
"MC Law recently broke ground on a multi-million-dollar renovation of our entire campus. Mississippi State students admitted through this new 3+3 program will be welcomed by beautiful new indoor and outdoor spaces designed to enhance their learning experience, personal wellness, and access to all our capital city has to offer. We cannot wait to greet them," said Anderson.
The accelerated MSU-MC program meets requirements of the American Bar Association.
MC Law has been preparing leaders for the legal profession since 1930 in Jackson, where the State Capitol, Mississippi Supreme Court, federal courts and many of Mississippi’s most respected law firms are in close proximity, giving students practical experience in the field before graduation.
Learn more about Mississippi College Law at https://law.mc.edu/.
Learn more about Mississippi State University at www.msstate.edu.
