Castleton University (CU) and Vermont Law School (VLS) offer a dual-degree program leading to a Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) in just three years at CU and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in just two years at VLS. This 3+2 program enables highly focused students to earn both degrees and embark upon a law career in a total of five years (instead of the usual seven), thus saving much time and money.
- The 3+2 program is available to undergraduate students enrolled in any of these majors:
Communication: Concentration by Contract . Communication: Digital Media . Communication: Journalism. Communication: Media Studies . Communication: Public Relations .
Economics
English: American Literature. English: Children's Literature. English: Concentration by Contract. English: Honors. English: World Literature
Environmental Studies
Geography
Global Studies
History
Philosophy
Political Science
- Students complete the General Education and major requirements by the end of their junior year at CU and then in their fourth year commence law school at VLS (where the first two semesters of the JD program satisfy the remaining thirty undergraduate degree requirements).
- VLS waives the application fee for CU students in this program.
- Castleton students who have achieved a GPA and LSAT score above the median acceptance scores at VLS for the prior year are guaranteed admission to VLS.
- The CU Pre-Law Advisor and the VLS Program Coordinator provide assistance and advice to students regarding program requirements and the VLS admissions process.
Note that Castleton's Pre-Law program offers a curriculum of undergraduate courses that prepare students to succeed in law school (see Pre-Law Program ).
Requirements
1. Because students must complete their General Education and major requirements in a compressed time frame (three years instead of four), it is vital that they meet with their academic advisor early in their first year at CU to map out a three-year academic schedule.
2. Students submit an application to the Pre-Law Advisory Committee no later than the end of their first year of study at CU. The application includes:
-a 500-word Statement of Interest
-an Academic Plan demonstrating how the student will complete all General Education and major requirements by the end of their junior year at CU (with the exception of any credits that can be fulfilled by a course at VLS).
3. After acceptance into the 3+2 program, students must maintain a cumulative GPA at CU of at least 3.3. Students must be in good standing at Castleton at all times.
4. CU will accept 30 credits from VLS toward completion of the Bachelor's Degree. In addition, upon approval of the Pre-Law Advisory Committee, students may be allowed to count up to 9 credits from VLS toward their major's upper division electives requirement.
5. To progress to Vermont Law School, students must:
-take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year.
-submit their law school application to VLS no later than March 31 of their junior year.
6. The Castleton Bachelor's degree will be conferred immediately upon completion of the first two semesters of Law School.
7. Students pay tuition and fees to CU during the three years of study at Castleton. Once students matriculate at VLS, they pay tuition and fees to VLS.
Students who choose not to complete the law degree after the first year of enrollment at VLS can still have their credits transferred back to CU for the completion of the Bachelor's degree.
Contacts
Prospective students, please contact:
Castleton Admissions Office: info@castleton.edu
Current students, please contact:
For information about Vermont Law School, please contact:
Katie Merrill (Admissions Counselor): KMERRILL@vermontlaw.edu