Program Overview

Want to earn your bachelor's degree and law degree in only six years? Enroll in Governors State University's and Southern Illinois University's dual degree program and you will save both time and money on route to graduating with both!


Applicable GSU Programs

You may choose one of the following applicable GSU undergraduate programs to begin your enrollment in the law school dual degree program and earn your bachelor's degree:


How to Apply

Admission into the law school dual degree program is a separate process from university admission. In order to participate in the program. you will need to complete the following list of requirements to participate in the program:

First Year Student Requirements for GSU Admission

    • Meet Core Curriculum requirements.

    • Must be in the Pre-Law Minor.

    • A minimum of 90 credit hours of coursework in the first 3 years as an undergraduate prior to beginning the law school curriculum.

    • 30 credits required to complete the 120 credits for the undergraduate degree earned by completing first-year law classes.

    • Must complete LSAT no later than December of their junior year. Earlier is suggested.

    • Must complete the LSAC application for law school no later than March of the year you plan to start law school.

During your junior year at GSU, you will apply to the SIU School of Law. You will need to meet the following criteria to be admitted into the SIU School of Law:

Admission Requirements for SIU School of Law Dual Degree Program

    • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.4

    • A Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score of 154 (60th percentile)

The SIU School of Law will notify you of an admissions decision in a timely fashion in order to allow for scheduling your senior year courses in an appropriate timeframe.

After admission to the School of Law at SIU, you will proceed with completing the following steps:

Post-Admission Requirements for SIU School of Law Dual Degree Program

    • Complete your first semester.

    • Apply for graduation with GSU during the break between your first and second terms of law school.

    • Submit an official transcript upon completion of first year of law school.

    • Submit final official transcript to SIU for full admission and to demonstrate completion of bachelor's degree.

Reminder: You will be required for the submission of transcripts to GSU and the SIU School of Law, as well as all application, graduation, and testing fees.


Visualize Your Pathway to Graduation

From your admission to GSU, to graduating from SIU, visualize your journey towards both degrees:

Download Pathway PDF

1st Year - Fall

To Do’s

Classes:

    • FYS-1001

    • COUN-1008

    • ENGL-1000

    • POLS-2100

    • MATH

    • SS GE

Activities:

    • Add Pre-Law Minor.

    • Set Up LSAC Account at www.lsac.org.

    • Set up Khan Academy Account at Khan Academy.

    • Develop a LSAT study plan.

1st Year - Spring

To Do’s

Classes:

    • ENGL-1010

    • POLS-2101

    • Fine Arts

    • Life Science

    • CJUS-2360

Activities:

    • Join a Club or Organization.

    • Attend virtual law school sessions.

    • Continue studying for LSAT.

2nd Year - Fall

To Do’s

Classes:

    • COMM-1000

    • POLS-2950

    • PSYC-1101

    • PHIL-1886

    • CJUS-2100

Activities:

    • Continue studying for LSAT.

    • Attend virtual law school sessions.

    • Meet with your advisor.

2nd Year - Spring

To Do’s

Classes:

    • POLS-3150

    • POLS Selective

    • Physical Science

    • Suggest ENGL4100 and CJUS3440

Activities:

    • Consider attending a summer pre-law program.

    • Continue studying for LSAT.

    • Consider over the summer a first attempt at LSAT.

3rd Year - Fall

To Do’s

Classes:

    • SOSC-4500

    • POLS Selective

    • POLS Selective

    • CJUS-3250 or 4465

    • Elective (1)

Activities:

    • Take LSAT.

    • Work on draft of personal statement.

    • Work on resume.

    • Speak with faculty about letters of recommendation.

3rd Year - Spring

To Do’s

Classes:

    • POLS-4900

    • POLS-4600

    • POLS Selective

    • POLS Selective

    • Elective

Activities:

    • Complete Law School Application by end of March.

SIU 1st Year - Fall

To Do’s

Classes:

    • To be selected with Law School Advisor

Activities:

    • Apply for Graduation from GSU.

    • Remember to breathe.

SIU 1st Year - Spring

To Do’s

Classes:

    • To be selected with Law School Advisor

Activities:

    • If you want to participate in GSU’s Commencement, order cap and gown.

    • Submit official transcript to GSU at the end of the semester.

    • Submit official bachelor’s transcript to SIU after commencement.


Contact Us

Any questions about the program? Reach out to us!

Undergraduate Academic Advising Center
1 University Pkwy
University Park, IL 60484
Room: C3385
Phone: 708-534-8043
E-mail: advising@govst.edu