Pre-Law Pathway

Fast-track your legal career

Concordia University Wisconsin offers a specialized Pre-Law Pathway in partnership with Marquette University Law School. This program provides you a streamlined and structured route to law school, emphasizing a strong foundation in critical thinking, ethics, and legal studies.

Fast-track

Earn your bachelor's and law degree in as little as 6 years.

Sample Careers

Attorney
Policy Analyst
Corporate Governance

Financial Aid

The average undergraduate student award is $23,395. Learn about financial aid.

Program Overview

Fast-track on your journey to a rewarding career in law

Concordia University has partnered with Marquette University Law School to offer an innovative 3+3 Pre-Law Program. Qualifying CUW students may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from CUW and a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree in just six years, saving you a full year of education and providing an accelerated route to becoming an attorney. That means saving you both time and money.

How is this pathway special?

Streamlined Pathway: Earn both a BS or BA from Concordia and a JD from Marquette Law School in as little as 6 years.
Faith-based Education: Prepare to pursue justice and serve others with integrity, service, and a Christ-centered perspective.
Personalized Support: Benefit from one of Concordia's dedicated pre-law advisors to ensure you are set up for success.
Broad Undergraduate Areas of Interest: Pursue your undergraduate degree at CUW in a variety of subject areas!

What to Expect

You may apply to enter the 3+3 Pre-Law Program any time before starting your sophomore year and must successfully:

Complete the requirements for your major and the Liberal Arts Core
Complete a minimum of 91 total credits by the end of your junior year
Apply and be accepted to Marquette University Law School (MULS) during your junior year

Upon acceptance to Marquette, you will be able to take your first year of law school at MULS in lieu of your senior year at CUW. Once you complete all 29 credits of your first-year curriculum at Marquette, Concordia will apply those credits toward the completion of your CUW undergraduate degree (i.e., a total of at least 120 credits). CUW will grant your undergraduate degree once the transfer credits are received, and a subsequent graduation audit is conducted by CUW's Registrar’s Office. Upon completing MULS's required curriculum, you will be awarded a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Marquette University Law School.

Undergraduate

Undergraduate application steps

For first-time freshmen and transfer students:

Complete our online application
Provide Official High School Transcripts (college transcripts, if applicable)

Optionally, high school seniors may provide their ACT score.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Major In?

The most important factor is what piques your curiosity, interests, and motivations. ;This will help you succeed in your undergraduate career and serve you in the event you decide not to attend law school. Also, law schools prefer student bodies with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences. Being well-prepared for law school is about having a passion for learning, developing analytical and critical thinking skills, developing writing and communication skills, and the character traits of perseverance and humility. No single area of undergraduate study is inherently more advantageous than another.

Note: Majors that have a minimum of 29 general elective credits are good options to begin with when considering the undergraduate major. You may still consider majors with fewer than 29 general/free electives available, provided that your degree requirements can be met by leveraging your first year of law school coursework in meeting degree or core requirements.

What if I wish to enter the program after starting my sophomore year?

You may apply to enter the program at any time before starting the first semester of your sophomore year. If you wish to enter the program after this time frame, the pre-law and staff advisors can assess your eligibility for late entry.

If I participate in the program, will I be admitted to law school?

There is no guarantee that you will be admitted to law school. This program permits you to apply for admission to Marquette University Law School during your junior year and then be considered for admission, if you meet the following conditions:
When you have completed your junior year, you will have successfully completed:
1. all the requirements for your major,
2. all the requirements for the Liberal Arts Core, and
3. at least 91 of the 120 cumulative credits of coursework required to complete your undergraduate degree (i.e., no more than 29 credits remaining).
You must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).
CUW's Registrar's Office has submitted a letter of certification stating that you meet the requirements outlined above. This letter will be submitted with your law school application.
You must meet all of Marquette University Law School's application and deposit deadlines.
You will be subject to a character and fitness examination by Marquette University Law School’s Admissions and Recruitment Committee.

What if I begin the program but choose not to apply to or attend MULS, if I am admitted?

You may withdraw from the program at any time, and you are not required to apply to MULS. If you have been accepted to MULS, you are not required to matriculate and may choose to remain at CUW for your senior year.

Are resources available to help keep me on track to meet my CUW requirements?

Yes! You will be assigned a pre-law advisor and a staff advisor who will work with you to provide an educational plan that will meet your needs and make sure you meet all of your requirements on time.

Pathway

Review the below information for a better understanding of the timeline and tasks involved in this 3+3 Pre-Law Program.

First Year

September: Meet with pre-law and staff advisors to review program requirements and prepare a preliminary course plan.
Even if you declared a major before your freshman year started, you can investigate other majors that may pique your curiosity as well.
Begin getting to know your professors and advisors; they are invaluable resources. Not to mention, the more they know you, the better. You will want personalized letters of recommendation for law school applications.
Start getting involved in extracurricular activities. The application for Marquette University Law School (MULS) requires a list of extracurricular activities (this is true of many law schools).
Begin planning for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). It's never too early.
Start exploring internship opportunities in the legal realm. They are crucial learning experiences, and they can help confirm whether law school is likely to be a good fit as you proceed. (Also, many majors require one.)
Start seeking opportunities to shadow practicing attorneys.
Start participating in lectures and symposia.
Participate in law school admissions sessions and begin to regularly visit MULS.

Sophomore Year

If you haven’t already, settle on your major.
Continue meeting with your pre-law and staff advisors.
Focus on taking required courses in your major and the Liberal Arts Core. The courses in your first year of law school will represent most of your general elective credits.
Continue exploring internship opportunities.
If you haven't already, get involved in extracurricular activities.
If you haven't already, begin preparing for the LSAT.

Summer Before Junior Year

Create an account with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC).It provides several resources for prospective applicants, administers the LSAT, and its Credential Assembly Service helps coordinate many application procedures.
Take the LSAT. This is strongly recommended because the summer test is at the beginning of June, and MULS usually begins accepting applications as early as September 1.
Write and review your personal statement, which will be part of your application. Have others you trust review it for feedback.
Request letters of recommendation.

Junior Year

Take LSAT (if not completed in summer).
Submit law school applications.
Follow up on letters of recommendation.
Apply to MULS.

Year 1 at MULS

Review final graduation audit for CUW.
Apply for graduation at CUW.

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