Become a Lawyer in Six Years
The 3+3 program is an add-on to any major course of study in the College of Liberal Arts. You will pick a major that you will work towards for three years and then apply and begin studies at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law in what would be your senior year. This shaves a year off your total time to complete your J.D.
Completing all your undergraduate program requirements in three years may sound daunting, but with our flexible scheduling, you still maintain a regular workload. Undergraduate coursework is completed in 90 credits instead of the standard 120, keeping your workload manageable while keeping you ahead of schedule in achieving your goals.
Why Our Students Recommend 3+3
Stephanie Cairns, A’24 and L’27, began at Duquesne unsure of her major but knew she wanted to be a lawyer, a goal she began to solidify when her tour guide mentioned the 3+3 program. She later declared a major in communication studies, which improved her listening and open-mindedness, exposed her to various writing strategies, and developed an outspoken academic and professional voice.
“One of my favorite aspects of the 3+3 program is that it allows students to seamlessly stay in school and blend the comfortability of undergrad into the new law school journey […] This allowed me to feel prepared for my law school application essays and for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). My undergraduate advisor and pre-law advisor were an excellent source of support and guidance throughout my years at Duquesne,” Stephanie said.
Popular major pairings with the 3+3 Program
From political science to history, communication to psychology, set yourself on a path to achieve your bigger goals.
Political Science
Through community-engaged coursework, learn how politics work in our country and abroad through the diverse course offerings of our political science program.
History
Assess trends across time periods and learn how the past impacts the present. Our history program and it's flexible curriculum allows you to study regions and events that interest you most.
Communication Studies
Explore how strategic and effective communication impacts the 21st century workplace. Communication Studies offers a wide range of courses that will prepare you for any industry or career path.
How the 3+3 Works
Because the 3+3 is an add-on to any major area of study in liberal arts, you do not need to apply directly to the 3+3. If you are accepted into a liberal arts program at Duquesne, you are automatically accepted into the 3+3 program if you choose that path. You will just need to let your student success coach know that you are interested in the 3+3 program when they go to schedule you for your first semester at Duquesne.
Students can choose from any primary major in the College of Liberal Arts to focus on during the first three years of their 3+3 program. Though political science, history, and communication are among the most popular, there are no limits on program as long as they are housed in the College of Liberal Arts.
As a 3+3 student, you are only required to complete 90 credits toward your undergraduate degree (as opposed to the standard 120 credit minimum to graduate). This breaks down to roughly 15 credits per semester, which is considered a full-time workload for any Duquesne student.
You can choose to drop the 3+3 portion of your program at any point during your undergraduate years at Duquesne. Note: students not completing the 3+3 must finish out the 120 credit minimum to graduate.
During your sophomore and junior years, you will begin prepping for the LSAT and officially applying to law school. The 3+3 program is not an automatic acceptance into the Thomas R. Kline School of Law; you must have a sufficient GPA and LSAT score to be accepted.
Let's chat 3+3
Hali Evans
Dr. Kristen Coopie
