Syracuse College of Law signs admissions agreement with three HBCUs in Atlanta

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University College of Law has signed 3+3 admissions agreements with three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located at Atlanta University Center.

The schools included Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.

Syracuse signed the agreement on Monday during a ceremony at Atlanta, Georgia–based law firm Taylor English Duma LLP. The event included representatives from all three HBCUs, Syracuse said in a Tuesday news release.

The 3+3 program allows students to finish the bachelors and juris-doctor (J.D.) degrees in an “accelerated” format. The program has students completing all coursework required for the undergraduate major in three years and finishing their degree during their first year of law school at Syracuse.

J.D. students at the Syracuse College of Law may also jointly earn a master’s degree at other Syracuse University schools and colleges, including the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. The combination of the 3+3 and joint degree programs permits a student to earn as many as three degrees in just six years — “a year less than generally required for just an undergraduate and J.D. degree at most other institutions,” Syracuse contends.

“Partnering with these distinguished HBCUs to create a 3+3 program significantly reduces the time and cost required for qualified African-American students to obtain a 21st-century legal education at Syracuse,” Craig Boise, dean of the Syracuse University College of Law, said in the release. “This is one of the ways we can address the legal profession’s need for more diversity among the ranks of lawyers. I join our faculty, staff, and students in looking forward to students from these renowned colleges becoming members of our College of Law family.”

In the Syracuse news release, Dorcas Bowles, provost of Clark Atlanta University, called the program “mutually beneficial.”

“As such, this partnership increases our students’ academic and career success and will serve as a beacon of access and opportunity for African Americans and other underrepresented populations in the field of law,” said Bowles.

 “As one of the nation’s top producers of black women applicants to law school today, Spelman College is excited to enter into this agreement with Syracuse University College of Law,” Sharon Davies, provost of Spelman College, added. “With this new partnership, Spelman students interested in careers in law will be able to complete their undergraduate studies and legal studies in six years instead of seven, saving a full year of college expenses, and enabling them to bring their unique talents to the field of law one year sooner.”

Matthew  Platt, chair and associate professor in the department of political science at Morehouse College, said he’s “excited by the opportunities that this program will provide” for students interested in pursuing careers in law.

“This program is a testament to Dean Boise’s and Syracuse’s commitment to the recruitment of black students, and I hope it serves as a model for law schools across the nation,” said Platt.

In addition to the 3+3 agreements, the College of Law recently expanded its externship program to Atlanta to provide field placements in the city and its surroundings, allowing local students to network and to gain experience close to home. The College of Law also has a liaison in Atlanta who will be on campus to meet with students and answer any questions about the program. 

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com