Philosophy, B.A. to Law, J.D. Accelerated Program

Saint Louis University's accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy to Law, Juris Doctor program allows students to apply a maximum of 30 first-year law school credits to their undergraduate degree program and receive their bachelor’s degree after the successful completion of the first year at the SLU School of Law.

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following SLU programs:

Philosophy, B.A.

Juris Doctor

Accreditation

Saint Louis University School of Law has been continuously accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) since December 1924. The accrediting body is the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.

Students are eligible to apply to the B.A. in philosophy/J.D. program any time in their undergraduate career after completing between 15 and 48 credits at SLU.

Students must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA to continue in the accelerated program. After completing 75 credits, students will submit an application to SLU LAW. If admitted to SLU LAW, these students will begin their J.D. program in their fourth year. The first year of law school coursework will count as elective credit toward the undergraduate bachelor’s degree. Students will be awarded their bachelor's degree after successfully completing their first year of law school. 

Students will be required to complete at least 75% of course hour credits necessary to earn their undergraduate degree (i.e., minimum 90 credits) before matriculating into the first year of law school. These hours must include University undergraduate core curriculum requirements and 21 additional credits in the philosophy major. All core curriculum and major requirements will be met before students matriculate. 

Students not admitted to SLU LAW will remain eligible to receive a B.A. in philosophy from the College of Arts and Sciences upon successful completion of 120 credits. 

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
University Core and/or General Electives 12
CORE 1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy 3
 Credits15
Spring
Critical course:  PHIL 2050 Ethics 3
Critical course:  PHIL 4040 Symbolic Logic 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
PHIL 4400 History of Ancient Greek Philosophy 3
Critical course:  PHIL 3430 Philosophy of Law 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Spring
Critical course:  PHIL 4600 History of Modern Philosophy 3
Critical course:  PHIL Elective (with moral/social attribute) 3
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
Critical course:  PHIL Electives (4000 level) 6
University Core and/or General Electives 9
 Credits15
Spring
Critical course:  PHIL 4880 Senior Inquiry: Project 3
Elective Courses 12
 Credits15
 Total Credits90

School of Law

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
LAW 7000 Civil Procedure 4
LAW 7005 Criminal Law 3
LAW 7015 Torts 4
LAW 7020 Legal Analysis, Research and Communication I 3
LAW 7040 Professional Identity, Practices and Skills I 1
 Credits15
Spring
LAW 7010 Contracts 4
LAW 7021 Legal Analysis, Research and Communication II 3
LAW 7025 Constitutional Law I 3
LAW 7030 Property 4
LAW 7041 Professional Identity, Practices and Skills II 1
 Credits15
Year Two
Fall
LAW 7100 Legal Profession 3
Law ElectiveAny LAW Course 12
 Credits15
Spring
Law ElectiveAny LAW Course 15
 Credits15
Year Three
Seminar 2
Experiential coursework 6
Law ElectiveAny LAW Course 23
 Credits31
 Total Credits91