Saint Francis University

Pre-Law Early Admission w/

Saint Francis University, in collaboration with Duquesne University School of Law, offers a highly competitive early admission program for pre-law students.  This partnership provides special academic opportunities for qualified students to earn both an undergraduate degree and a law degree in six years rather than seven.  The program is designed to save qualified students time and money by enabling them to move on to law school following their junior year.  Duquesne University School of Law agrees to accept all candidates from Saint Francis University provided that they meet the following eligibility requirements:

• A cumulative grade point average of approximately 3.5 for three years at Saint Francis University (at least 96 credit hours)

• Completion of all undergraduate major field and general education requirements at Saint Francis University

• A minimum LSAT score in the 60th percentile on the present LSAT.  The student will take the LSAT in the winter of the third year at Saint Francis University.  However, by request, a student may defer taking the LSAT until the spring of the third year.

• Recommendation by a selection committee appointed by the Academic vise President, Saint Francis University, and the Dean of Admissions of Duquesne University School of Law.

• All candidates for this program must, upon application, schedule an interview with the Dean of Admissions of Duquesne University School of Law.  This interview should be scheduled after the student has taken the LSAT, but the results of the LSAT need not be available to the Law School at the time of the interview. 

Each student in this early admission program will be awarded a Bachelor's Degree by Saint Francis University after successful completion of the first year of the Day Division program or the first three semesters of the Evening Division program at Duquesne University School of Law.  If the student does not successfully complete the first year program at Duquesne University School of Law, the student will have to complete additional undergraduate credit hours (totaling 128 credit hours minimum) to obtain a Bachelor's Degree from Saint Francis University.

Through this program, pre-law students at Saint Francis University can get an early start on their law degrees.  The program provides a combination of liberal and professional education well suited to those desiring to enter the field of law.

The pre-law concentration is designed to accompany any major.  the total number of credits required to complete the concentration and the major varies with the major.  For some majors,  there is considerable overlap between the concentration and the major.  For other majors, there is less overlap.  As such, it would be extremely difficult or impossible for students in certain majors to fulfill all General Education, major, and pre-law concentration requirements in three years.

With this in mind, it is recommended that students wishing to participate in the early admissions program pursue the political science/pre-law track.

Political Science/Pre-Law:

• General Education requirements = 55 - 58 credits

• Political Science = 36 credits (PLSC 102 fulfills a core requirement = 33 credits net)

• Pre-Law concentration = 18 credits beyond core requirements (PLSC 301, 304, 313, 398-399 all fulfill major requirements = 6 credits)

• Total 94 - 97 credits net

Students can reasonably expect to complete the political science/pre-law major within three years, making the Duquesne University School of Law early admission program an attractive alternative.  Other majors would be possible.  If you are interested in this program, it is important to plan carefully and to discuss your plans with your advisor and with Dr. Melusky.