University of Massachusetts School of Law Dartmouth and Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts, signed an agreement for a 3+3 joint degree program that will offer Dean College students the opportunity to earn both their undergraduate degree and law degree in six years instead of seven.
In this accelerated degree program, students earn credits for their first year of law school during their final year of college, saving on tuition and associated expenses in the traditional seven-year pathway to a J.D.
Sam Panarella, dean of UMass Law, said Dean College also prioritizes its students’ commitments to their professional future, leadership and justice.
“Our schools’ complementary missions and values will make for a smooth and enriching experience for the 3+3 students who take advantage of this wonderful opportunity,” he said.
Scott Sibley, vice president of academic affairs at Dean College, said the new partnership with UMass Law allows the school to give those interested in pursuing a career in law a more efficient and affordable pathway to earn their J.D.
Dean students will complete their general education requirements during their first three years at the college. During the fourth year, they will be enrolled as full-time UMass Law students but will be allowed to count their first-year law classes towards finishing their Dean bachelor’s degree. Dean students should work closely with the college’s pre-law advisor as early as possible to ensure they meet all 3+3 program requirements.
The first three years of coursework at Dean will provide the essential foundation and the academic skills necessary to be successful in law school and beyond, Sibley said.
Dean College becomes the 17th institutional partner in UMass Law’s growing 3+3 program; partners include both private and public colleges and universities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
According to the most recent ABA data, UMass Law currently ranks first among ABA-accredited law schools in Massachusetts for the smallest typical, first-year class sizes and the lowest tuition. The Class of 2022 enjoys a 91% employment rate and first-time test takers achieved an 80% Massachusetts bar exam pass rate, according to the July 2023 Massachusetts bar exam.
Dean College is a private, residential New England college of 1,200 full-time and 400 part-time students grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. For the 8th consecutive year, Dean College earned national recognition in 2023-2024 as a College of Distinction based on four categories: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes.
