Dec 06, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Accelerated B.A. or B.S./J.D Program in Philosophy and the College of Law


The six-year accelerated program leads to either the B.A. or B.S. in philosophy together with the J.D. degree.

Admission


Students who wish to complete this program must identify themselves to the Department of Philosophy as majors who wish to complete the accelerated program. All undergraduates who major in philosophy and have completed at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate course work (including all general education and major requirements as well as the requirements for a B.A. or B.S. degree) with a minimum GPA of 3.25 are eligible to apply for admission to NIU’s College of Law under the special provisions of this program. As part of the application to the College of Law, applicants must take the LSAT and receive a score at or above the previous year’s matriculating law class median. Students are encouraged to apply to the program as early as possible during their junior year. Admission will be on a competitive basis, and the likelihood of admission will depend on the number and quality of applicants to the program, the number and quality of applicants to the College of Law in general, as well as other factors normally considered in admissions decisions by the College of Law.

Curriculum


Students accepted into the College of Law pursuant to this program will start taking law classes at the beginning of their fourth year. The remainder of the program will follow the standard College of Law curriculum. Up to the first 30 credit hours of law courses will be counted toward the bachelor’s degree.