MSU Partners with MC on New Law Program
MSU Partners with MC on New Law Program
The partnership will give MSU law students a fast-tracked pathway to the MC School of Law.
On August 21, 2024, the president of Mississippi State University, Dr. Mark Keenum, in partnership with the president of Mississippi College, Dr. Blake Thompson, signed a contract that would allow eligible MSU students entry into the Juris Doctor program at the Mississippi College School of Law. The partnership will bring new students to the School of Law, as well as enable MSU law students to advance in their pursuit of legal careers.
The two university presidents were joined in their efforts by MSU Executive Provost and Vice President Dr. David Shaw, MSU Executive Vice Provost Dr. Peter Ryan, MC Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Mike Highfield, and MC School of Law Dean Dr. John Anderson.
“On the MC side, Provost Highfield and Dean Anderson were primarily responsible,” Thompson said. “Provost Highfield took the lead for the relationships at MSU, which is where he spent much of his career. Dean Anderson and the law school continued discussions with a few other schools in the region concerning additional 3+3 arrangements.”
The Accelerated Degree program, also known as the 3+3 Law Degree Program, is a program that allows qualified MSU students to enter MC’s Juris Doctor program before they have fully completed the coursework required for a bachelor’s degree. This would accelerate law students’ path to their J.D. by one full academic year of law school.
According to Thompson, Mississippi State University is the largest school to ever enter into a 3+3 agreement with MC Law.
“I could not be more excited about our new 3+3 program with MSU,” Anderson commented. “This will allow participating State students to shave a whole year off of the traditional path to a law degree. Mississippi State is already one of MC Law's top feeder schools. This new partnership will help to make what is already a strong relationship even stronger.”
Mississippi College will be accepting student applications for admission through March 31, 2025. The application window opened on September 1, 2024. Accepted students will be able to enter classes for the fall semester in August 2025. To be eligible for the Accelerated Degree Program, Mississippi State Students must have completed at least 75% of the necessary coursework to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
“The agreement will remain in effect for five years, at which time it may be extended by the mutual agreement of the parties,” Thompson explained.
“MC’s School of Law is Mississippi’s only capital city law school with a long history of training the Mississippi capital’s top attorneys,” Keenum said. “The MC School of Law focuses on mimicking an academic environment that promotes a hypothetical and hands-on approach to learning. I have known and worked with many talented attorneys who are graduates of the MC School of Law. Our partnership meets the academic requirements of the American Bar Association.”
“This partnership is a win-win for both MSU and MC,” Keenum said.
The MC Law School has started developing plans to renovate the entire campus as a way to welcome the newly admitted MSU students to the campus.
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