Youngstown State University has launched a new 3+3 Philosophy and Law program. It is designed as an accelerated path for students to complete their undergraduate education and earn their law degree in just 6 years.
This program allows for students to complete all the required courses for their Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, apply for law school at the start of their third year, and transfer their first year of law school credits back to YSU to fulfill their BA requirements. This arrangement saves students a year of undergraduate tuition and living expenses, enabling them to enter the workforce a year earlier.
YSU’s Philosophy’s program has partnered with three law schools, providing students with multiple options to pursue their legal education. The partnering schools include the University of Akron School of Law; Cleveland State University College of Law; and Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
Philosophy students excel in critical thinking and analytical skills, which are highly valued by law schools. Philosophy majors are also found to consistently rank at the top for LSAT performance by major.
Key highlights of the undergraduate curriculum in the Philosophy program include courses in ethical theory; critical thinking; logic; analytical writing; philosophy of law; and political philosophy.
The Philosophy program is also home to YSU’s Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl team, which won the national championship in 2020, as well as two second national finishes and six regional wins. These academic opportunities combined with the personalized attention from the Philosophy faculty make the program an excellent pathway for students interested in attending law school.
The 3+3 program is hosted by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences in the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. Those interested in learning more, can contact Mark Vopat, Philosophy program coordinator at [email protected] or Alan Tomhave, associate dean of the Beeghly College at [email protected].
