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Philosophy, B.A. to Law, J.D. Accelerated Program

Saint Louis University's accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy to Law, Juris Doctor program allows students to apply a maximum of 29 first-year law school credits to their undergraduate degree program and receive their bachelor’s degree after the successful completion of the first year at the SLU School of Law.

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following programs:

Philosophy, B.A.

Juris Doctor

Accreditation

Saint Louis University School of Law has been continuously accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) since December 1924. The accrediting body is the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.

Admission Requirements

Students are eligible to apply to the B.A. in philosophy to Law, J.D. accelerated program any time in their undergraduate career after completing between 15 and 48 credits at SLU.

Students must maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA to continue in the accelerated program. After completing 75 credits, students will submit an application to SLU LAW. If admitted to SLU LAW, these students will begin their J.D. program in their fourth year. 

Students must complete at least 91 credits before beginning law school coursework. These must include the Undergraduate University Core requirements and philosophy major requirements.

Program Requirements

The first year of law school coursework will count as elective credit toward the undergraduate bachelor’s degree, up to 29 law school credits. Students will be awarded their bachelor's degree after successfully completing their fourth year of study/first year of law school, a minimum of 120 credits. 

Undergraduate Program Requirement Met by Graduate Course
University Electives 29 credits Law school coursework

Students must maintain a 3.50 cumulative GPA to continue in the accelerated program. Students not admitted to SLU LAW will remain eligible to receive a B.A. in philosophy from the College of Arts and Sciences upon successful completion of 120 credits. 

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

  • This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
  • Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
  • Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
University Core and/or General Electives 12
CORE 1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy 3
 Credits15
Spring
PHIL 2050 Ethics 3
PHIL 4040 Symbolic Logic 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
PHIL 4400 History of Ancient Greek Philosophy 3
PHIL 3430 Philosophy of Law 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Spring
PHIL 4600 History of Modern Philosophy 3
Critical course:  PHIL Elective (with moral/social attribute) 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
Critical course:  PHIL Electives (4000 level) 6
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Spring
PHIL 4880 Senior Inquiry: Project 3
Elective Courses 12
 Credits15
 Total Credits90

School of Law

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
LAW 7000 Civil Procedure 4
LAW 7005 Criminal Law 3
LAW 7015 Torts 4
LAW 7020 Legal Analysis, Research and Communication I 3
LAW 7040 Professional Identity, Practices and Skills I 1
 Credits15
Spring
LAW 7010 Contracts 4
LAW 7021 Legal Analysis, Research and Communication II 3
LAW 7025 Constitutional Law I 3
LAW 7030 Property 4
 Credits14
Year Two
Fall
LAW 7100 Legal Profession 3
Law ElectiveAny LAW Course 12
 Credits15
Spring
Law ElectiveAny LAW Course 15
 Credits15
Year Three
Seminar 2
Experiential coursework 6
Law ElectiveAny LAW Course 22
 Credits30
 Total Credits89

For additional information about this program, please contact sluphilosophy@slu.edu or call 314-977-3149.