Nichols College partners with UMass Dartmouth to offer accelerated law degree

Photo | Courtesy of Nichols College Nichols College campus in Dudley, Mass.

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By Isabel Tehan

Nichols College in Dudley and UMass Dartmouth have made official a partnership to allow Nichols students to pursue an accelerated law degree at UMass Law, the only public law school in Massachusetts.

As part of the program, students will take three years of classes at Nichols followed by three years of law courses at UMass Law in Dartmouth, according to a Wednesday press release from Nichols. Students will be able to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctor in six years, as opposed to the standard seven-year timeframe.

The 3+3 program is intended to provide a fast track to a career in law and save students a year of tuition and living expenses. Students complete their final year of their undergraduate degree concurrently with their first year of law school in the program.

"We're delighted to partner with UMass Law to enable Nichols College students to earn bachelor's and juris doctor degrees in six years," Nichols Provost Daniel Borgia said in the press release. "In addition to the significant cost savings, our students will have the guidance and support of exceptional faculty and staff on both campuses who will help prepare them for meaningful careers.”

Students typically need to declare intent for the 3+3 program during the first or second year of their undergraduate program. They still must apply to UMass Law to be accepted for enrollment at the law school.

Nichols is the 16th school to enter a similar program with UMass Law. Others in Central Massachusetts include Anna Maria College in Paxton, Assumption University in Worcester, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, and Worcester State University.