Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law in Malibu, California and Tuskegee University in Alabama recently created a J.D. degree partnership program to allow students to receive two degrees in only six years.
The schools hope the 3+3 program will create a seamless system where students can obtain a bachelor’s degree from Tuskegee University and a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine. While the 3+3 concept is not new, it is rare for two institutions so far apart. Most such programs are between law schools and undergraduate universities that feed the most students to their program.
But Tuskegee is a Historically Black College and could help Pepperdine improve its minority enrollment.
“In addition to providing a pathway to law school for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, this accelerated program represents a significant tuition savings for these students,” said Chalak Richards, dean of students, diversity and belonging at Caruso Law. “These candidates are also automatically considered for the Caruso Law HBCU scholarships of up to 50% of tuition, and Caruso Excellence Scholarships which award full tuition.”
Up to five students will be named Caruso Excellence Scholars and receive full tuition. This will be the first partnership between Pepperdine and a historically Black college and university.
“This is a unique partnership to provide a pathway to the legal profession for our students from Tuskegee University, to one of the best legal programs at Pepperdine,” said Keith Hargrove, Tuskegee University’s senior vice president for academic affairs in a release. “Our collaboration represents two outstanding universities working together for students to complete a law degree and consider a variety of careers with a strong legal foundation and create a more diverse pool for the profession.”
Qualified students from Tuskegee University can apply to the law school their junior year instead of their senior year, which will allow students to complete school in a shorter period and save money through the program. Any first-year law school credits obtained would also apply to the student’s undergraduate record.
