About the Program

Enrollment in this combined pathway allows highly qualified SUNY Buffalo State students to work on a Juris Doctor (J.D.) at the University of Buffalo (UB) while completing their Political Science (Public Legal Studies concentration) bachelor of arts (B.A.) at Buffalo State. Up to 30 credits of designated UB law school courses are incorporated into the bachelor’s degree program and will count toward both the bachelor’s degree and the J.D. The combined pathway allows students to complete their undergraduate education and law-degree training in six years of full-time study rather than the normally required seven years of study.

For more information, contact:

Patrick J. McGovern, PHD
Associate Professor
Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department
Cassety Hall 222
(716) 878-6203
gpp.buffalostate.edu

Admission Requirements

Admission into the combined pathway is highly selective. Matriculated undergraduate students may apply to the B.A./J.D. pathway no later than the end of their first year (freshman year) and will complete all of the application requirements for the program. The combined pathway admission application process includes a minimum GPA of 3.6, a statement of intent, and a letter of recommendation (preferably from a Buffalo State instructor; incoming students may use a recommendation from a high school guidance counselor or course instructor). Students must maintain a 3.6 grade point average in their undergraduate level courses to remain in the 3+3 combined pathway.

Students will have completed 90 credits (all Buffalo State required Intellectual Foundations courses, upper division courses, and Political Science Public Legal Studies Concentration major requirements) at Buffalo State before enrolling in the UB law program.

Students in the combined pathway must apply to the UB School of Law during their junior year at Buffalo State. All UB School of Law admission requirements will apply. The Political Science combined pathway program coordinator will provide guidance to students throughout their four years of undergraduate study.

Program Requirements

The combined pathway requires students to earn a total of 120 credits to be applied to their B.A. degree, of which 30 credits are taken at UB School of Law during the student’s senior year and transferred to Buffalo State. Students must receive a grade of 2.0 (“C”) or better in the law school courses in order to have them accepted as transfer credit. Students must earn their remaining law school credits (approximately 60 credits) at UB to obtain the Juris Doctor degree. Students must meet all college, department, and relevant concentration guidelines.

The program requires careful planning that should begin no later than the end of the second semester of the student’s undergraduate career at Buffalo State. The student and the 3+3 program coordinator should consult in planning the undergraduate degree program so that these requirements are met during undergraduate study and that the 30 credits of law school courses from the UB School of Law are included in the degree plan. These law school credits will fulfill general education all-college electives in the student’s final year of undergraduate studies.

Required Core Courses
PSC 101 INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
PSC 102 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS      
PHI 103 INTRODUCTION TO LOGIC   
or PHI 107 INTRODUCTION TO MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
PHI 112 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
PSC 203 POLITICAL ANALYSIS
PSC 204 POLITICAL STATISTICS
PSC 221 JUDICIAL PROCESS AND POLITICS
OR PSC 250 INTRODUCTION TO LAW
PSC 317 U.S. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
OR PSC 320 U.S. CIVIL LIBERTIES
PSC 485 MOCK TRIAL

Political Science Distribution Requirements
American Government and Politics. Choose one of the courses below:
PSC 223 LAW AND SOCIETY
PSC 312 LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
PSC 321 CIVIL PROCEDURE
PSC 420 CONTEMPORARY CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
PSC 421 DISCRIMINATION AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
PSC 488 INTERNSHIP

International Relations/Comparative Politics. Choose one of the courses below:
PSC302 INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT AND PEACEFUL RESOLUTION
PSC 308 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW   
PSC 344 COMPARATIVE DEMOCRACY

Political Theory and Philosophy. Choose one of the courses below:
PHI 301 JUSTICE: LIBERTY V EQUALITY
PHI 304 PHILOSOPHY OF LAW
PHI 314 RIGHTS AND RESPECT
PSC 351 HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT I
PSC 355 AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
PSC 450 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT