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Dual

Bachelor of Science / Juris Doctor

The dual Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor program permits you to enter the St. John’s University School of Law before completing your bachelor’s degree and to complete your academic training in six years, earning an undergraduate degree from the College of Professional Studies and a Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s Law. 

In the dual degree program, up to 27 credits earned during your first year at St. John’s Law will be applied toward the completion of your bachelor’s degree.

You should consult the Pre-Law Advisors in the College of Professional Studies for additional information about the specific majors relevant to the program, the courses that you need to take prior to entering law school and the law school application process.

Roughly speaking, students who participate in this program apply to law school one year before a traditional student hoping to enter law school after graduating college would apply.  Such a traditional student would generally apply to law school and take the Law School Admissions Test in the fall of their senior year.  Students applying to the dual B.S./J.D. program generally take the LSAT and apply to law school in the fall of their junior year. 

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Degree Type
BS/JD
Area of Interest
Law, Policy & Government
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
Required Credit Hours
188

Admission

As a freshman, you should inform your advisor that you are interested in pursuing the B.S./J.D. program.  You should continue to inform your advisors that you are interested in the program each semester when you meet with your advisor to discuss what courses to take.  And, in your sophomore year, you should reach out to one of the pre-law advisors listed below to discuss the program. 

The requirements for entry into the program are:

  • 3.5 cumulative GPA (including transfer credits).
     
  • Apply to and be accepted by St. John’s Law.  Generally, St. John’s Law is looking for students who are above average with respect to both:
     
    • GPA and
       
    • LSAT score, in each case relative to their incoming class of 1Ls.  (You can see the current median LSAT score and GPA of the current class of 1Ls here.)
       
  • The completion of all of the necessary requirements for your B.S. degree, except for up to 27 credits which can be transferred in from St. John’s Law.  Your advising dean can tell you how such credits will be applied and accordingly which courses you must take toward your B.S. degree before entering law school and which courses toward your B.S. degree will be deemed satisfied after you complete your first year of law school. 

Please note that, if accepted to the program, the financial aid that you receive as an undergraduate will not transfer to the law school.  The law school will make an independent assessment regarding your financial aid.  Please also note that, if accepted to the program, your GPA from your first year of law school will affect your GPA for your undergraduate degree. 

For more information about admission to this and other acclaimed undergraduate programs at St. John’s University, please visit Undergraduate Admission online. Or contact us directly at the campus of your choice:

Connect with Us

Admission Office

Queens Campus

718-990-2000

Career Outcomes

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition) employment of lawyers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for legal work is expected to continue as individuals, businesses, and all levels of government require legal services in many areas.

Law firms will continue to be the largest employers of attorneys while many large corporations are increasing their in-house legal departments.  This will result in an increase in the demand of lawyers in various settings such as financial and insurance firms, consulting firms, and health care providers.

Also, the federal government is likely to continue to need lawyers to prosecute or defend civil cases on behalf of the United States, prosecute criminal cases brought by the federal government, and collect money owed to the federal government. It is projected that budgetary constraints at all levels of government will likely moderate employment growth.

Additional Information

The St. John’s University Pre-Law Advisement program offers individualized advisement and guidance for prospective B.S./J.D. students.  For more information on the law school applications process and to contact the CPS Pre-Law Advisors, please visit the CPS Pre-Law Advisement Page here.

 

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