Program Overview
Want to earn your bachelor's degree and law degree in only six years? Enroll in Governors State University's and Northern Illinois University's joint 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 joint degree program and earn your bachelor's degree:
How to Apply
Admission into the law school joint 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 NIU School of Law. You will need to meet the following criteria to be admitted into the NIU School of Law:
Admission Requirements for NIU School of Law Joint Degree Program
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.4
• A Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score of 154 (60th percentile)
The NIU 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 NIU, you will proceed with completing the following steps:
Post-Admission Requirements for NIU School of Law Joint 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 NIU 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 NIU 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 NIU, visualize your journey towards both degrees:
Download Pathway PDF
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