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The Bryant University globe and Villanova clock.
The Bryant University globe and Villanova clock.

3+3 Juris Doctor

Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ partnership program with Villanova University creates opportunities for students to gain direct, early access to one of the nation’s preeminent law schools.

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At a Glance

Program Benefits:

  • Fast-track your bachelor’s degree in just three years.
  • Gain direct admission to Villanova Law without the competition of the regular applicant pool.

Dedicated Support:

  • Work with Bryant advisors to plan your course sequence and meet program requirements.

Accelerate Your Education

Bryant University’s partnership with Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law enables you to fast-track your undergraduate degree and break through traditional law school application barriers. At the completion of the program, students will have a bachelor’s degree from Bryant University and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree from Villanova Law. There are two pathway options for you to pursue direct, early-access admission:

  1. Bryant-Villanova 3+3 program allows Bryant students to complete their undergraduate requirements in three years at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University before enrolling at Villanova for three years. Credits earned at the successful completion of the first year of law school will transfer back to Bryant to satisfy final graduation requirements.
     
  2. Bryant-Villanova 4+3 program is available for qualifying seniors, who will apply and directly matriculate to Villanova after fulfilling graduation requirements at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ.

Program Information

Benefits
  • Application fee waived for applicants who meet all qualifications.
  • Direct admission without the competition of the regular applicant pool.
  • Application fee waived for applicants who meet all qualifications.
  • Direct admission without the competition of the regular applicant pool.
Qualifications
  • Complete a minimum of three years of coursework and 72 credits at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ.
  • Earn a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at Villanova Law.
  • Apply by February 1 of the year in which you seek to enter Villanova Law.
  • Junior applicants: Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than January of your junior year and earn a minimum LSAT score at or above the 75th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at Villanova Law.
  • Senior applicants: Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than January of you senior year and earn a minimum LSAT score at or above the 75th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at Villanova Law.  
  • Obtain a strong recommendation from Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ pre-law advisor.
  • Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing throughout your time at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ.
  • Meet all fitness, character, and other criteria for admission as required by the Office of Admission at Villanova Law. 
  • Complete a minimum of three years of coursework and 72 credits at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ.
  • Earn a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA at or above the 50th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at Villanova Law.
  • Apply by February 1 of the year in which you seek to enter Villanova Law.
  • Junior applicants: Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than January of your junior year and earn a minimum LSAT score at or above the 75th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at Villanova Law.
  • Senior applicants: Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than January of you senior year and earn a minimum LSAT score at or above the 75th percentile of the most recent class to matriculate at Villanova Law.  
  • Obtain a strong recommendation from Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ pre-law advisor.
  • Maintain good academic and disciplinary standing throughout your time at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ.
  • Meet all fitness, character, and other criteria for admission as required by the Office of Admission at Villanova Law. 
Requirements
  • Personal statement not exceeding three double-spaced pages
  • Resume
  • Official LSAT score(s)
  • At least one letter of recommendation
  • Interview successfully with Villanova Law prior to receipt of final admission decision
  • Credit Assembly Service (CAS) report with official transcripts from all colleges, universities, junior, or community colleges

Access the application through the . 

  • Personal statement not exceeding three double-spaced pages
  • Resume
  • Official LSAT score(s)
  • At least one letter of recommendation
  • Interview successfully with Villanova Law prior to receipt of final admission decision
  • Credit Assembly Service (CAS) report with official transcripts from all colleges, universities, junior, or community colleges

Access the application through the . 

Bryant Curriculum

Students complete both undergraduate and graduate requirements in three years through the following schedule: 

TermCoursesCredits
Fall Year 1616
Spring Year 26 + IDEA17
Fall Year 2515
Spring Year 2516
Fall Year 3515
Spring Year 3516
Total Undergrad Credits95

Students complete both undergraduate and graduate requirements in three years through the following schedule: 

TermCoursesCredits
Fall Year 1616
Spring Year 26 + IDEA17
Fall Year 2515
Spring Year 2516
Fall Year 3515
Spring Year 3516
Total Undergrad Credits95
Villanova Law Curriculum

First-year students will engage in six foundation courses taught in semester segments focusing on civil procedure, contracts, criminal law, property, constitutional law, and torts. In addition, first-years will take:

  • 1 year-long Legal Analysis, Research, Writing, and Communication course
  • Elective course
  • One-week Financial Literacy module
  • 1 year-long Professional Development course

Second- and third-year students build their own course of study alongside graduation requirements:

  • Legal Writing III
  • Constitutional Law II
  • Professional Responsibility
  • Practical Writing Research Paper Seminar (or Directed Research)
  • One-week Business Aspects of Law
  • 2 Professional Development courses, clinic, or externship
  • Focus area of study courses

The graduate course of study at Villanova University consists of three full-time consecutive years, for six years overall.

First-year students will engage in six foundation courses taught in semester segments focusing on civil procedure, contracts, criminal law, property, constitutional law, and torts. In addition, first-years will take:

  • 1 year-long Legal Analysis, Research, Writing, and Communication course
  • Elective course
  • One-week Financial Literacy module
  • 1 year-long Professional Development course

Second- and third-year students build their own course of study alongside graduation requirements:

  • Legal Writing III
  • Constitutional Law II
  • Professional Responsibility
  • Practical Writing Research Paper Seminar (or Directed Research)
  • One-week Business Aspects of Law
  • 2 Professional Development courses, clinic, or externship
  • Focus area of study courses

The graduate course of study at Villanova University consists of three full-time consecutive years, for six years overall.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I gain admittance to the 3+3 program?

When you are applying to Bryant, indicate your interest in the program.  When you arrive at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ, tell your academic advisor that you would like to be part of the program.  Meet with the pre-law advisor before the end of your first year at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ to ensure you remain academically eligible for the program.

When you are applying to Bryant, indicate your interest in the program.  When you arrive at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ, tell your academic advisor that you would like to be part of the program.  Meet with the pre-law advisor before the end of your first year at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ to ensure you remain academically eligible for the program.

Does my tuition remain the same once I enroll at Villanova Law?

No. Bryant sets tuition for your time at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ, and Villanova will set tuition for your time at Villanova Law.

No. Bryant sets tuition for your time at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ, and Villanova will set tuition for your time at Villanova Law.

What Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ academic majors work best for this program?

While the Bryant curriculum is flexible to accommodate an accelerated undergraduate degree, students are encouraged to contact their pre-law and academic advisors to further discuss academic planning. 

While the Bryant curriculum is flexible to accommodate an accelerated undergraduate degree, students are encouraged to contact their pre-law and academic advisors to further discuss academic planning. 

What transcripts are needed?

Students are required to submit transcripts from the following institutions, even if a degree was not awarded:

  • Community colleges
  • Undergraduate institutions
  • Institutions attended for summer or evening courses
  • Institutions from which you took a college-level course while in high school
  • International transcripts (if applicable)

For additional information regarding transcripts, please contact your pre-law advisor.

Students are required to submit transcripts from the following institutions, even if a degree was not awarded:

  • Community colleges
  • Undergraduate institutions
  • Institutions attended for summer or evening courses
  • Institutions from which you took a college-level course while in high school
  • International transcripts (if applicable)

For additional information regarding transcripts, please contact your pre-law advisor.

Are transfer students eligible?

Yes, transfer students are eligible, provided you meet all program academic requirements. Students are encouraged to contact their pre-law and academic advisors to discuss academic planning.

Yes, transfer students are eligible, provided you meet all program academic requirements. Students are encouraged to contact their pre-law and academic advisors to discuss academic planning.

What does direct admission mean?

Students applying under the Bryant-Villanova partnership will be reviewed for academic fit by the Villanova Law admission committee without comparison to the larger applicant pool. 

Students applying under the Bryant-Villanova partnership will be reviewed for academic fit by the Villanova Law admission committee without comparison to the larger applicant pool. 

If I change my mind, am I able to opt out of the program?

Yes, the flexible structure of the Bryant-Villanova partnership program will allow students to opt out at any time. Students who opt out must contact their pre-law advisor to discuss options and will continue their Bryant undergraduate degree requirements following a traditional four-year timeline. 

Yes, the flexible structure of the Bryant-Villanova partnership program will allow students to opt out at any time. Students who opt out must contact their pre-law advisor to discuss options and will continue their Bryant undergraduate degree requirements following a traditional four-year timeline. 

Will opting out of the program affect any scholarships received from Bryant?

Any Bryant academic scholarship that was awarded is renewable up to four years (eight semesters), provided that you maintain full-time (at least 12 credits) enrollment status and the cumulative grade point average on the scholarship letter you receive from the Office of Admission. 

Any Bryant academic scholarship that was awarded is renewable up to four years (eight semesters), provided that you maintain full-time (at least 12 credits) enrollment status and the cumulative grade point average on the scholarship letter you receive from the Office of Admission. 

May I defer my acceptance to the 4+3 program?

The program is intended for students heading directly from an undergraduate program to law school. Unexpected circumstances warranting a different timeline are handled on a case-by-case basis and should be discussed with your pre-law advisor.

The program is intended for students heading directly from an undergraduate program to law school. Unexpected circumstances warranting a different timeline are handled on a case-by-case basis and should be discussed with your pre-law advisor.

Will I still be considered if I meet most, but not all, admission requirements?

An exemplary junior who wishes to be considered for admission to Villanova Law but does not meet the requirements because of their LSAT score or cumulative undergraduate GPA, but who meet all other requirements, may petition for an exception. Villanova Law’s admission office will determine whether the student is eligible to apply and will review these students on a case-by-case basis. 

Seniors who do not meet the eligibility requirements will still be considered for regular admission. 

An exemplary junior who wishes to be considered for admission to Villanova Law but does not meet the requirements because of their LSAT score or cumulative undergraduate GPA, but who meet all other requirements, may petition for an exception. Villanova Law’s admission office will determine whether the student is eligible to apply and will review these students on a case-by-case basis. 

Seniors who do not meet the eligibility requirements will still be considered for regular admission. 

What support is available to students?

A pre-law advisor and academic advisor are dedicated to overseeing academic fit and eligibility for the program. 

A pre-law advisor and academic advisor are dedicated to overseeing academic fit and eligibility for the program. 

What if I have additional questions about the Bryant-Villanova program?

Current students should consult with their pre-law and academic advisors with any questions regarding the program and academic planning.

Prospective students who are interested in learning more may contact the Office of Admission at (800) 622-7001, or email admission@bryant.edu. 

Current students should consult with their pre-law and academic advisors with any questions regarding the program and academic planning.

Prospective students who are interested in learning more may contact the Office of Admission at (800) 622-7001, or email admission@bryant.edu. 

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