RALEIGH – Campbell Law School and William Peace University have partnered to create an accelerated dual degree option for students seeking to earn undergraduate and juris doctor degrees. Under the 3+3 accelerated dual degree program, William Peace University (WPU) students can earn an undergraduate degree and a juris doctor from Campbell Law in six years rather than seven, saving both time and money.
A student enrolled in the 3+3 program will spend three years at WPU, completing general education requirements and the coursework for their major. In their fourth year, the student will begin study at Campbell Law, and the credits earned during that year will complete their undergraduate degree while counting towards the law degree. Students can continue to live on campus at WPU during this fourth year.
There are a wide variety of majors including BA in Criminal Justice and the BA in Political Science and BA in Pre-Law offered at WPU that students could enroll in to participate in the 3+3 program.
“This is a unique pathway for the top William Peace University students to focus on law school early in their collegiate careers,” said Campbell Law Dean J. Rich Leonard.
WPU has a proven track record of preparing students for success in law school, according to Elizabeth Kusko, Associate Professor of Political Science and Program Director for Criminal Justice, Political Science, and Pre-Laws and the WPU pre-law advisor. “We are thrilled with the William Peace University and Campbell University Law School articulation agreement. Throughout my time here, I have seen many WPU students excitedly apply to Campbell Law, attracted to their outstanding and nationally-recognized program and also to the familiar, downtown Raleigh location. To be able to complete both a Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor degree in six years is an incredible opportunity, and I look forward to navigating this journey with future WPU and CU graduates and lawyers.”
William Peace University and Campbell Law School share many characteristics that make this partnership attractive to students. Both institutions offer small class sizes and supportive faculty, along with all the benefits of their location in the heart of North Carolina’s capital city.
“We are so excited about this partnership with Campbell Law School to establish the 3 + 3 program. We have numerous students interested in pursuing legal studies beyond William Peace University each year, and this new relationship provides an accelerated pathway to law school for our outstanding students – right here in Raleigh,” offers Dr. Brian C. Ralph, President of WPU.
In addition to the William Peace partnership, Campbell Law also has a 3+3 program in place for undergraduates attending Meredith College and Salem College as well as Methodist and Campbell universities.
ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW SCHOOL
Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law School has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion, and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation’s top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation’s best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts more than 4,300 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2019, Campbell Law celebrated 40 years of graduating legal leaders and 10 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina’s Capital City.
ABOUT WILLIAM PEACE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1857, William Peace University is a nationally-ranked institution in Raleigh, NC – one of U.S News’ Best Places to Live – serving almost 1000 students in 30+ undergraduate and 10 professional programs in criminal justice, education, business administration, and more. Nestled in the heart of Raleigh’s downtown area, our culture is as vibrant as the city that surrounds it; and our students benefit from all the connection and collaboration that our central location has to offer. With supportive professors, dedicated faculty advisors, and a friendly and active student body, William Peace University students enjoy the tight-knit community of a small school, and the opportunity of a growing, flourishing city.