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A Faster Path to Law: UAF Teams Up with UW Law

AV����̳ is proud to announce a new 3+3 partnership with the University of Washington School of Law (UW Law), offering students a streamlined path to a Juris Doctor degree. Through this agreement, students can complete both their undergraduate and law degrees in just six years instead of the traditional seven, saving both time and tuition costs. This initiative is beneficial for any students seeking a competitive, high-quality legal education. UW Law has programs covering a wide range of specializations, including programs in environmental and Indigenous law.

A Fast-Tracked, Cost-Effective Pathway to Legal Careers

Under the 3+3 program, UAF students spend three years completing their UAF undergraduate requirements before transitioning to UW Law where their first year of law school also counts as their fourth year of undergraduate work, essentially, a “double dip.” This means their first year of law school classes also count as their electives to finish their UAF undergraduate degree. Accepted students will receive priority consideration for admission, provided they meet UW Law’s entrance requirements. Additionally, students can establish residency in their first year at UW, making them eligible for in-state tuition in their final two years—saving tens of thousands of dollars long term.

Why Choose UW Law?

UW Law is renowned for its strong bar passage rate (93.7%) and career placement success, with a dedicated Office of Career Development that assists students from day one. The school’s evolving approach to admissions prioritizes holistic evaluation over standardized test scores, making it an accessible option for a wide range of applicants.

For students with an interest in environmental and Indigenous law, UW Law’s curriculum is particularly attractive. The school offers specialized courses in environmental justice and partners with the Native American Law Center. Students can also gain practical experience through the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Native Law student group, and numerous other student organizations that promote professional development and mental wellness.

UW Law offers including Asian Law, Environmental Law, Global Business, Health Law, Indigenous / American Indian Law Concentration Track, Intellectual Property, and International & Comparative Law, as well as in Business Administration (J.D./MBA); Electrical Engineering (J.D./MSEE); Health Administration (J.D./MHA); Information School (J.D./MLIS, J.D./M.S.); International Studies (J.D./M.A.); and Public Administration (J.D./MPA).

 

 

UAF’s Commitment to Law School Pathways

The 3+3 partnership with UW Law is the latest addition to UAF’s expanding law school pipeline. UAF also offers a 3+3 program with Gonzaga University School of Law, as well as a direct admission partnership with Willamette University College of Law, which includes a guaranteed annual $10,000 scholarship for eligible students. These initiatives underscore UAF’s commitment to providing students with accessible, high-quality legal education opportunities. To find out the complete list of UAF’s law school partnerships (a list that continues to grow each semester!), please visit our law school partnership page.

Meet Carol Gray: A Champion for Pre-Law Students

UAF’s pre-law program in the Department of Political Science is led by Assistant Professor Carol Gray, an accomplished attorney, educator, and advocate for aspiring legal professionals. She earned her J.D. from Northeastern School of Law and an LLM in Advocacy from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was a Prettyman Fellow in the Criminal Justice Clinic. Her extensive legal experience includes working as a public defender or indigent criminal defense attorney in multiple states and advocating for human rights and asylum seekers in the U.S., South Africa, and at the Texas-Mexico border. She has also been involved with death penalty defense work and continues to review fellowships for the Equal Justice Foundation. In addition to her legal career, Professor Gray holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut and has conducted international research as a Fulbright Scholar in Montreal and in Cairo where she witnessed Egypt’s Arab Spring following her role as a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar. At UAF, she teaches a variety of law-related courses, including Constitutional Law (Civil Liberties and Federalism)  and Gender and Reproductive Law and Politics. Passionate about mentoring students, Professor Gray is dedicated to guiding aspiring lawyers on their academic and professional journeys.

UAF’s Pre-Law Club

Whether students are majoring in Political Science, Justice, Journalism or any other major on campus, they are invited to join the Pre-Law Club which Professor Gray advises. The Club hosts judges and lawyers speaking about their careers as well as Directors of Admissions speaking about how to craft law applications. Club members meet every other week and spend some meetings practicing questions for the Law School Admissions Test. The club finishes each semester by bringing out the popcorn to watch a law movie together. To get updates and join the pre-law club, visit their webpage. 

Department of Political Science and Pre-Law at UAF

The UAF Department of Political Science provides students with a dynamic education in governance, public policy, and legal studies, preparing them for careers in law, government, and advocacy. The department’s pre-law program offers a rigorous curriculum tailored to students considering law school, with courses in constitutional law, judicial law and politics, international law, and civil liberties. Faculty members bring real-world legal experience to the classroom, and students benefit from hands-on learning opportunities such as mock trial sessions in law classes, visits to watch trials at the local courts,and mentorship toward their legal careers.