UMass Law and Assumption Develop Accelerated Law Degree Program

Assumption and the University of Massachusetts School of Law at UMass Dartmouth have partnered to enable Assumption students to earn a law degree in only six years, rather than the traditional seven years. 

The 3+3 agreement allows Assumption students to complete the Core Curriculum and requirements for a major program of study in three years before transferring to UMass Law in their fourth year. Students then take law courses that satisfy requirements toward a bachelor’s degree at Assumption while beginning their legal education. At the end of the fourth year, should Assumption students meet all requirements, they will receive a bachelor’s degree from the college then continue to pursue their law studies.

Assumption chose to partner with UMass Law given the institution’s emphasis on community service, a hallmark of Assumption’s mission to develop graduates who are formed as intelligent individuals who are committed to serving their communities and those in need.

“At UMass Law, we collaborate with colleges and universities across the state, enabling students to receive an affordable, high-quality legal education,” said UMass Law Dean Eric Mitnick. “With Assumption, we have a partner similarly committed to providing legal education pathways that give students the ability to advocate and pursue justice on behalf of their communities.”

“This new agreement with UMass Law is another example of the innovative and bold thinking taking place on the Assumption campus as we continue to develop unique opportunities for our students to advance their education,” said Assumption Provost and Academic Vice President Louise Carroll Kelley, Ph.D. “As we create these new opportunities through partnerships with reputable institutions of higher learning such as UMass Law, Assumption helps our students achieve the goal of advanced degrees through lower costs and reduced time in the classroom. This new law degree program will empower Assumption graduates to pursue professionally and personally fulfilling careers of meaning. 

UMass Law’s pass rate for first-time takers of the July 2018 Massachusetts Bar Exam was 92.6%, which was third in the state. UMass Law’s focus on public and community good has resulted in the provision of more than 120,000 hours of pro bono legal services to the community since 2010.