Criminal Justice (BSAS) and Akron Law (JD) 3+3 Program

Program Structure

Students are admitted to YSU as Criminal Justice majors and complete:

• General education requirements
• Criminal Justice core coursework
• Upper-division Criminal Justice electives

In the fourth year, students enroll at Akron Law. Successfully completed Akron Law courses count toward:

• The first year of the JD program
• The final year of the BSAS in Criminal Justice at YSU

For students beginning in the spring semester, the course sequence may be adjusted or reversed as needed. 

Application & Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply to the 3+3 Criminal Justice and Akron Law Program, students must:

1. Complete all general education requirements
2. Complete the Criminal Justice core requirements
3. Complete 39 credit hours of upper-division coursework at YSU

Students will be listed as an Independent Curriculum Plan (ICP) major but will complete the Criminal Justice – BSAS curriculum.

During the junior year, students must:

• Take the LSAT
• Apply to The University of Akron School of Law 

Automatic Admission Criteria

YSU students enrolled in the 3+3 program who have completed the equivalent of three or more years of undergraduate coursework will be automatically admitted to Akron Law provided they:

• Are in good academic, financial, and disciplinary standing at YSU
• Meet the character and fitness standards required of all Akron Law students
• Earn an LSAT score at or above the 25th percentile of the previous year’s entering Akron Law class (and not below 151)
• Maintain an undergraduate GPA at or above the median of the previous Akron Law entering class 

Students who do not meet the automatic admission criteria, or who are not enrolled in the 3+3 program, may still be considered for admission to Akron Law on a case-by-case basis. 

Akron Law Coursework

Students accepted into the program will complete the standard first-year Akron Law curriculum during their fourth year. Course descriptions and law curriculum details are available directly from Akron Law:

University of Akron School of Law – Course Descriptions

https://www.uakron.edu/law/curriculum/course-descriptions.dot

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the 3+3 Criminal Justice and Akron Law Program are prepared for careers in:

• Criminal and civil law
• Prosecution and defense
• Law enforcement leadership
• Corrections and rehabilitation
• Public policy and government
• Compliance, investigations, and regulatory affairs 

Advising and Contacts

For questions about the 3+3 Criminal Justice and Akron Law Program, contact:

Students interested in the 3+3 program are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor early in their undergraduate career to ensure timely completion of all requirements. 

Curriculum and Coursework

Important Planning Note

This plan is intended to illustrate that it is possible to complete the BSAS degree in four years. The plan is subject to change based on students’ course placement, successful completion of prerequisite courses, hours earned, and career goals. The curriculum requirements on this page apply to students entering under the 2025–2026 academic catalog. Students are responsible for meeting all course prerequisites and should refer to the YSU Undergraduate Catalog for official requirements. Students with fewer than 60 earned credit hours must meet with an Academic Advisor each semester prior to registration.

ICP: Independent Curriculum Plan  

BSAS Criminal Justice 3+3 with Akron Law  

2025-2026 SUGGESTED 4-YEAR PLAN

FIRST YEAR

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

SECOND YEAR

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

THIRD YEAR

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

FOURTH YEAR

First-Year Law Courses – The University of Akron School of Law

Fall Semester

Spring Semester