Bachelor of Science
Political Science and Juris Doctor Degree, 3+3

Earn a law degree in less time, for less money, while you develop a broad set of marketable professional skills.

Oakland University’s political science and law degree 3+3 program puts you on an accelerated track to a career in law, public service or a related field. Under this unique pre-law program, you’ll earn a bachelor’s degree in political science and a law degree from one of three partner law schools, completing both degrees in six years—one year faster than a traditional path. Oakland’s political science major offers robust pre-professional training, giving you a competitive edge heading into law school. In addition to saving you a year of tuition, the political science and law 3+3 program equips you to make a difference as a lawyer, government official, nonprofit advocate or business leader.

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Oakland University’s political science and law degree 3+3 program puts you on an accelerated track to a career in law, public service or a related field. Under this unique pre-law program, you’ll earn a bachelor’s degree in political science and a law degree from one of three partner law schools, completing both degrees in six years—one year faster than a traditional path. Oakland’s political science major offers robust pre-professional training, giving you a competitive edge heading into law school. In addition to saving you a year of tuition, the political science and law 3+3 program equips you to make a difference as a lawyer, government official, nonprofit advocate or business leader.

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Political Science and Law Degree 3+3 Program: The Oakland University Advantage

Unlike comparable accelerated pre-law programs, Oakland University’s political science and law degree 3+3 has cooperative agreements with multiple law schools. You can pursue your law degree at Michigan State University, Wayne State University or the University of Detroit Mercy, giving you more options and greater flexibility.

Our 3+3 pre-law program also offers:

  • Professional experience and connections. Our political science majors benefit from Oakland’s tradition of civic engagement and wide network of community partners. You’ll have extensive opportunities (including potential internships) to interact with legislative bodies, government agencies, nonprofits, policy shops, lobbying firms and similar organizations. 
  • Robust undergraduate research. While earning your political science degree, you can get outstanding pre-law training as a research assistant or collaborator. Oakland faculty regularly collaborate with undergraduate political science majors on journal submissions and conference presentations, enabling you to build your credentials and cultivate advanced research and writing skills.
  • Exceptional faculty. Our political science program is led by internationally recognized experts in subjects such as European politics, international relations, U.S. Congress, state and local elections, and the role of information technology in American politics. You’ll take nearly all of your political science courses directly from senior faculty, getting superior pre-law preparation that integrates classroom instruction with professional insights.
  • A dynamic campus community. You’ll belong to one of the nation’s most politically active student bodies, with extremely high voting rates and diverse perspectives. Oakland’s successful Model UN team and Center for Civic Engagement are especially popular among political science majors. 
  • Flexible curriculum. Our political science degree offers a high degree of freedom in course selection, so you can tailor your studies to align with the law degree. Many options fit well within a pre-law program, covering areas such as civil rights, judicial process, constitutional law, the U.S. Supreme Court, negotiation and international law.

What Can You Do With Political Science and Law Degrees?

With both a political science bachelor’s degree and a law degree, you’ll enter the workforce with elite credentials. Upon passing the bar exam you’ll be qualified to practice law in a wide range of specialized areas. Examples include (but are not limited to) litigation, taxes, torts, corporate law, criminal law, labor law, environmental law and immigration. 

If you choose not to pursue a law career, a law degree can still help you attain leadership roles in many different professions. Combined with a political science background, a law degree provides excellent preparation for careers in fields such as:

  • Public administration
  • International policy
  • Nonprofit leadership
  • Business
  • Journalism
  • Education

Political Science and Law Degree 3+3 Program: What You’ll Learn

You can achieve significant savings on a law degree through Oakland’s 3+3 program, because 30 credits from your first year in law school count toward both the bachelor’s degree and the juris doctor.

To be eligible for accelerated admission to law school under the 3+3 program, you must complete required courses for the political science major and university general education requirements by the end of your junior year. The 30 first-year law degree credits will also count as electives toward the bachelor’s degree.

In order to meet academic requirements on time and maximize the benefits of the 3+3 program, it’s recommended that you work carefully with academic advisers beginning in your freshman year.

Political Science and Law Degree 3+3 Program Resources

Programs Related to the Political Science and Law Degree 3+3 Program

Not sure if the political science and law degree 3+3 program is right for you? Check out these other undergraduate degree programs at Oakland, and contact our admissions team to discuss your options.

Current Political Science and Law Degree Internships

General Purpose The School Social Worker shall be responsible for providing diagnostic and/or therapy services to students who are suspected of being disabled and/or are disabled.  Qualifications & Requirements Valid Michigan teaching certificate and/or State of Michigan approval to function in the specific discipline area.Masters in School Social Work with school Social Work course work completed or in process.Solid organizational and planning skills.Strong verbal and written communication skills.Able to work as a member of a team and contribute to the agency vision and goals.Able to demonstrate confidentiality in all matters.Positive leadership skills.Must complete and pass required criminal history check. Essential Duties (shall include, but are not limited to the following): To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Evaluate students.Prepare MET and evaluation reports.Participate in MET and IEPT meetings.Write appropriate goals and objectives.Provide therapy to students.Maintain a schedule of service and student progress.Consult with staff and parents.Establish and maintain agency contacts.Complete timely submission of claims to Medicaid for eligible students on caseload.Predictable/reliable attendance.             Other Duties Act as a resource, if needed, to employees, students and the general public and visitors to the NC RESA.Possess knowledge of NC RESA’s organization, mission, and philosophy.Perform other duties deemed appropriate by the Supervisor of Special Education. Relationships & Commitment The School Social Worker shall be directly accountable to the Supervisor of Special Education and shall demonstrate commitment to the mission of the Newaygo County RESA through: Adherence to and enforcement of agency policies and administrative regulations.Performance resulting in quality outcomes.Performance resulting in internal and external consumer satisfaction.Continuous personal and professional improvement and development.Positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues and consumers.Continuously improving performance through internal and external evaluation.Exhibiting the mental/physical ability and stamina to meet essential duties of position.Supporting the agency and department in the Continuous Improvement Plan. Other Required Skills Able to communicate effectively (language skills).Able to work with mathematical concepts (mathematical skills).Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (reasoning skills).Physically able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job (physical demands).  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. General school building/classroom/office setting; the noise level in this position varies.  Terms of Employment Contracted employee (exempt under FLSA regulations)School year position; 7.25 hours per dayPosition covered under NCEA Master Agreement  The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.  The RESA does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination or harassment in any program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment, as required by Title IX and other applicable law, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity/expression), marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, disability, age, or any other basis prohibited by law.  NC RESA reserves the right to alter/amend this job description at any time, following language in the NCEA Master Agreement. 
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General Purpose The School Social Worker shall be responsible for providing diagnostic and/or therapy services to students who are suspected of being disabled and/or are disabled.  Qualifications & Requirements Valid Michigan teaching certificate and/or State of Michigan approval to function in the specific discipline area.Masters in School Social Work with school Social Work course work completed or in process.Solid organizational and planning skills.Strong verbal and written communication skills.Able to work as a member of a team and contribute to the agency vision and goals.Able to demonstrate confidentiality in all matters.Positive leadership skills.Must complete and pass required criminal history check. Essential Duties (shall include, but are not limited to the following): To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Evaluate students.Prepare MET and evaluation reports.Participate in MET and IEPT meetings.Write appropriate goals and objectives.Provide therapy to students.Maintain a schedule of service and student progress.Consult with staff and parents.Establish and maintain agency contacts.Complete timely submission of claims to Medicaid for eligible students on caseload.Predictable/reliable attendance.             Other Duties Act as a resource, if needed, to employees, students and the general public and visitors to the NC RESA.Possess knowledge of NC RESA’s organization, mission, and philosophy.Perform other duties deemed appropriate by the Supervisor of Special Education. Relationships & Commitment The School Social Worker shall be directly accountable to the Supervisor of Special Education and shall demonstrate commitment to the mission of the Newaygo County RESA through: Adherence to and enforcement of agency policies and administrative regulations.Performance resulting in quality outcomes.Performance resulting in internal and external consumer satisfaction.Continuous personal and professional improvement and development.Positive interpersonal relationships with colleagues and consumers.Continuously improving performance through internal and external evaluation.Exhibiting the mental/physical ability and stamina to meet essential duties of position.Supporting the agency and department in the Continuous Improvement Plan. Other Required Skills Able to communicate effectively (language skills).Able to work with mathematical concepts (mathematical skills).Able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions (reasoning skills).Physically able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job (physical demands).  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. General school building/classroom/office setting; the noise level in this position varies.  Terms of Employment Contracted employee (exempt under FLSA regulations)School year position; 7.25 hours per dayPosition covered under NCEA Master Agreement  The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individual currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.  The RESA does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination or harassment in any program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment, as required by Title IX and other applicable law, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity/expression), marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, disability, age, or any other basis prohibited by law.  NC RESA reserves the right to alter/amend this job description at any time, following language in the NCEA Master Agreement. 
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