Charlotte School of Law will enable students to attend three years at
Johnson C. Smith University and three years at Charlotte School of Law
to earn a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree and a Juris
Doctor degree. The 3+3 program has been approved by the Southern
Associations of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to begin in fall 2012.
High-performing JCSU students with an interest in law will be
recruited to be a part of the program. A special information session
to outline the expectations and requirements will be held for students
and parents and an advising agreement signed prior to a student
entering the program. Candidates are required to have a minimum SAT
score of 900 and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Students will follow a curriculum pace that allows them to complete
JCSU degree requirements minus the major electives. Those include
JCSU's introduction to legal studies and LSAT preparation. At the end
of their junior year, qualified students may enter the law program at
CharlotteLaw. Participating first-year students at CharlotteLaw must
meet minimum GPA requirements to remain in good academic standing.
Full credits required for graduation from Johnson C. Smith must be
completed by the end of August following the first year of law
school.Graduates from the program will receive two degrees – one from
Johnson C. Smith University and one from Charlotte School of Law.
"Johnson C. Smith University endeavors to produce graduates who are
able to communicate effectively, think critically, and learn
independently as well as collaboratively," said JCSU President Ronald
Carter. "We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Charlotte
School of Law in a program that combines a quality liberal arts
education with a concentrated study in the field of law, so our
graduates will be well prepared for successful careers."
The collaborative relationship between the two institutions may
include joint research activities and publications, applications for
research funding, co-sponsorship of seminars, and sharing of course
materials and curriculum.
"We are continuously looking for new ways to improve the post-graduate
academic experience for our students and we've found that in this 3+3
partnership with Johnson C. Smith University," said Denise Spriggs,
interim dean of Charlotte School of Law. "Students who relish the
opportunity to challenge themselves will find that in our partnership
with Charlotte's oldest and most-established university."
The two institutions share a mission to serve the community and reach
out to diverse cultures. Charlotte School of Law believes strongly
that tomorrow's leaders must reflect and interact effectively with an
eclectic collective of people and cultures. Consequently, the school
places strong emphasis on serving the underserved through community
service and pro bono work in an inclusive environment that fosters a
demanding yet supportive educational setting for a richly diverse
community.
Similarly, Johnson C. Smith University provides an outstanding
education for a diverse group of talented and highly motivated
students from various ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographical
backgrounds. A majority of students are heavily involved in community
service.
About Johnson C. Smith University
Founded in 1867, Johnson C. Smith University is the premier
independent urban liberal arts university located in the heart of
Charlotte, N.C. It offers a progressive liberal arts curriculum with
26 fields of study to nearly 1,500 students. The University prepares
students for success through excellent academic programs with a focus
on servant leadership, civic engagement and global responsibility.
About Charlotte School of Law
Charlotte School of Law, fully accredited by the American Bar
Association, offers a student-centered orientation that focuses on the
hands-on learning needed to equip graduates with leadership,
management and interpersonal skills needed for career success. As the
only law school in North Carolina's most populous city, Charlotte
School of Law offers full-time and part-time day programs as well as
an evening part-time program for working professionals. On the Web at www.charlottelaw.edu
.
