3 + 3 Legal Education Accelerated Program (LEAP)

Earn Your Undergraduate and Law Degrees in Six Years

Legal Education Accelerated Program (LEAP)

The Legal Education Accelerated Program (“LEAP” or “3+3” program) provides qualified undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn their undergraduate and law degrees in six years.  Students admitted into LEAP complete three years of undergraduate study and then apply credits earned during their first year of study at MSU Law toward the fulfillment of their baccalaureate degree requirements.  Through LEAP, students reduce the cost of their undergraduate education by as much as 25 percent and enter the legal workforce one year sooner than they otherwise would. 

To be eligible for LEAP, a student must be enrolled at a LEAP Partner Institution* and must meet the following criteria:

Completion of:

a minimum number of credit hours equal to 120 less the credit hours allocated to the first year J.D. program at MSU Law

all College or University-level requirements

all institution requirements and the requirements of the specific academic major, as determined by the institution

all requirements of the institution that are in addition to the prior two bullets, as determined by the institution. 

Achieve a cumulative UGPA and LSAT score not less than MSU Law’s medians from the previous year. 

Submit two letters of recommendations, one provided by their institution’s LEAP advisor and at least one other by faculty, attesting to the student’s preparedness and readiness to begin law school. 

Submit a completed application through LSAC to MSU Law by December 31st of the year prior to the year the LEAP student is seeking to enroll.  For example, if a student wants to begin their law studies in the Fall of 2020, they would need to submit a completed application by December 31, 2019. 

LEAP students who meet the above requirements can expect to be notified of their admission decision to within six weeks of having a completed application, if not sooner.  In some instances, the Admission Committee may require a candidate to interview. 

It is important to note that LEAP students should start working/consulting with their LEAP Advisor at their undergraduate institution as early as possible (at least during their first or second year of undergraduate studies). 

*A student enrolled at a college or university that is not a LEAP Partner Institution may be granted acceptance to the College of Law as a LEAP student if s/he meets the above criteria and an agreement can be reached between his/her undergraduate institution within the application period.  Questions regarding this possibility should be directed to the Office of Admissions. 

For further questions regarding LEAP or to request a phone consultation, please contact the Office of Admissions at 517-432-0222 or admiss@law.msu.edu.