A new agreement with William Mitchell College of Law will help St. Cloud State pre-law students save time and money on their law degrees.
The university has entered into a 3+3 program with William Mitchell that allows students to complete college and earn a law degree in six years, instead of the traditional seven.
“St. Cloud State understands that collaboration is absolutely essential in providing its students with the best career options and opportunities,” said Kathy Uradnik, professor of political science and university pre-law advisor. “The agreement is another example of putting that forward-thinking approach into action. We strive to bring high quality, affordable programs to our students, and we are thrilled to be able to offer this one to them.”
Through the program, students are able to forgo their senior year of college and enroll at William Mitchell as a first-year law student. Students who participate in the program will save on tuition and advance earlier to their chosen career path.
“The 3+3 program saves our students thousands of dollars in tuition,” Uradnik said. “It rewards academically strong students and encourages them to focus on their career prospects early in their undergraduate education.”
Students who participate in the program as a first-year law student at William Mitchell will transfer approved credits back to St. Cloud State to officially earn their undergraduate degree, while pursuing their law degree.
The program positions St. Cloud State as a flagship institution for pre-law students by offering efficient and affordable access to law school in Minnesota.
“St. Cloud State should be considered the ‘go-to’ MnSCU university for pre-law students. We have terrific preparatory programs, amazing teachers and the best pre-law advising in the system. Our law school placement rates are excellent, and students have been very successful in obtaining generous financial aid packages,” Uradnik said.
To apply during their third year of college, students must meet all requirements for law school admission, including taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Law school acceptance rate for St. Cloud State graduating seniors has averaged 85 percent since 2009, with most students receiving multiple admission offers and generous financial aid from various law schools.
In 2014, William Mitchell College became the first law school in the nation to receive the American Bar Association approval to offer an accredited online Juris Doctor degree.
