The University of Miami School of Law and U.M.'s College of Arts and Sciences offer an interdisciplinary joint Bachelor's/J.D. Program. This program allows highly talented and motivated college students to complete bachelor's and law school degrees at the University of Miami in six years.
In the accelerated program, students spend the first three years earning credit toward their bachelor’s degree and the last three completing the Juris Doctor requirements, hence the nickname "3+3" program.
Benefits of Fast-Tracking Law
There have always been students who knew they wanted to be attorneys early on, and this program is ideal for those individuals.
Current law student Alexis Masciarella, class of 2024, falls into this group. "Choosing the 3+3 program at the University of Miami was a strategic and heartfelt decision, rooted in my childhood aspiration to become a lawyer,” said Masciarella. “Rather than viewing my undergraduate years merely as a preparatory phase, the 3+3 program transformed them into an active commencement of my legal journey."
On top of getting a jump start on a legal career, the 3+3 program enables qualifying students to substitute the first year of law school for the final year of their undergraduate program, thereby saving a full year of tuition and living expenses.
Joe Matthews, director of student recruitment and 3+3 liaison at the University of Miami School of Law, agrees. "Timing can be everything. And for those with the foresight and passion, the 3+3 program can provide a unique opportunity for 'Canes to jumpstart their legal education before their peers."
Meet Current 3+3 Students and Grad
Masciarella is pursuing her J.D./LL.M. in Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law, and the program has been instrumental in taking her where she wants to go professionally. "My main area of law interest is entertainment law. I am incredibly proud and grateful to be part of this elite group of students with a genuine passion and commitment to this area." At law school, she has interned for Sesame Workshop in NYC, TelevisaUnivsion in Miami, and Sony Music Entertainment in NYC.
Second-year law student Jeremy Griff, who did an externship this past summer with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, "decided to do the 3 plus program after my advisor in sophomore year told me about the program. Going into college I already knew I had an interest in going to law school as I had a passion for intellectual pursuits and critical thinking."
Alyssa Samberg, J.D. '22, went through the program and is a judicial law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She graduated from Miami Law as a double 'Cane and completed the 3+3 program. At Miami Law, she was on the University of Miami Law Review, served as a Dean's Fellow, and interned in the Florida Third District Court of Appeal in the summer of 2020.
Law School Access for Undergrads
The 3+3 program condenses academic time and expenses and doubles advising and career support as participating students get mentoring from the University of Miami and the School of Law.
Participants get early access to special events and informational luncheons hosted by Miami Law, networking events, opportunities to sit in on law classes, LSAT workshops, program-specific advising from Miami Law advisors, law library privileges, and law student mentorship. Students in the 3+3 program, along with any interested 'Cane, can also volunteer with the law school's Litigation Skills program and clinics.
Even better, 3+3 students have their space in the School of Law reserved, they have a smooth transition from undergraduate education to law school, and it eliminates the process and cost of applying to multiple law schools.
"I really enjoyed my time at U.M. in undergrad and figured that it would be great to continue going to the same school and in the same environment for an additional few years," said Griff.
