University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce, left, and Mississippi State University President Mark E. Keenum celebrate a new agreement allowing qualified MSU students to enter UM’s Juris Doctor program before fully completing an MSU bachelor’s degree, accelerating the total length of undergraduate studies plus law school by one full year. A similar agreement is in place between MSU and Mississippi College's School of Law. (Photo by Beth Wynn)
Collaboration allows MSU students to earn a bachelor’s and law degree in six years
The University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University have come together to provide a streamlined option for MSU students hoping to study law in Oxford.
Representatives of both universities met Thursday (Nov. 21) in Jackson to finalize the Pathway to Law School program, which will allow MSU undergraduate students to begin taking law school courses as early as their senior year, trimming a year off the time required.
“Our goal is to provide students with a quality education, so they are prepared to practice law, promote the cause of justice, serve the public and enhance the legal profession,” said Fred Slabach, dean of the School of Law. “That includes students from Mississippi State University.”
Students from MSU made up 10% of the incoming class of 2027 at the School of Law, he said. Now those students will have the option to expedite their progress through the 3+3 Accelerated Law Degree program.
MSU students must meet all academic and application requirements for the School of Law and complete three-fourths of their undergraduate coursework before admission to the law program.
As part of the agreement, Ole Miss will waive application fees and other costs for MSU students applying to law school. The program will also kick-start a joint lecture series hosted by Mississippi State that features faculty and alumni from the law school.
“We are excited about this important collaboration with the University of Mississippi School of Law,” MSU President Mark E. Keenum said. “These accelerated academic pathway agreements significantly benefit MSU students who want to pursue law degrees in their home state. It’s an exceptional opportunity for students, our institutions and the state of Mississippi.”
Ole Miss has seven other institution or department partners in its accelerated law program, including the university’s School of Engineering, School of Journalism and New Media, College of Liberal Arts, School of Business Administration and Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, as well as Tougaloo College and Jackson State University.
“Through this partnership, students have the unique opportunity of receiving a joint education from two of Mississippi’s universities,” said Joshua Tucker, assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion in the School of Law. “Each year, the law school receives a number of students from Mississippi State University, so we are excited to formalize a partnership.”
The Pathway to Law School program is set to launch in fall 2025.
By Clara Turnage
