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Westminster forms 3+3 partnership with Widener University Commonwealth Law School

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Posted on Monday, November 9, 2020

Westminster College and Widener University Commonwealth Law School have established a 3+3 program partnership to offer Westminster students an accelerated path toward earning a law degree.

The 3+3 program will enable students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctor (J.D.) degree in just six years, saving students time and money. The agreement allows Westminster College students to earn the final 30 credits of their bachelor’s degree at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, while simultaneously pursuing their law degree.

Qualifying students must complete their major and general education requirements by the end of their junior year at Westminster College. Students must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year and apply to Widener by April 1 of their junior year.

“Many Westminster graduates have enjoyed a distinguished career in law, and our partnership with Widener University Commonwealth Law School provides new opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Jamie McMinn, Westminster College’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. “We are particularly pleased that students who want to practice such specialized areas as environmental law will be able to pursue their advanced degree at Widener while also earning their undergraduate degree at Westminster.”

The partnership agreement was signed on Friday, Nov. 6, by McMinn and Michael Hussey, interim dean of Widener University Commonwealth Law School.

“We are delighted to partner with Westminster College,” said Hussey. “Many Commonwealth students, alumni and staff are Westminster alumni. This program honors their paths to law school and paves the way for a long-term relationship with Westminster and its students.”

“Our political science faculty have advised pre-law students for many years, and several students expressed interest in environmental law during the Westminster’s 2020 Professional Network Symposium,” said McMinn. “I am grateful to our political science and environmental science faculty who worked with Westminster College 2007 alumnus Matthew Kerns, associate dean of admissions at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, to provide a new Titan pathway.”

Widener University Commonwealth Law School, an American Bar Association-accredited institution, is located in Harrisburg.

For more information about the partnership, please contact McMinn at 724-946-7121 or mcminnjg@westminster.edu.