College costs remain a major concern for many students, especially those planning to attend graduate or professional schools. As a result, universities are creating faster degree programs that help students save both time and money.
A newly approved partnership between Grambling State University and Southern University Law Center reflects that shift, offering students the chance to earn both a bachelor’s and a law degree in just six years, rather than the traditional seven.
The Louisiana Board of Regents approved the partnership. Leaders at both historically Black institutions say the program will help students reduce costs and enter the legal profession sooner.
A Six-Year Path to a Legal Career
The new 3+3 Accelerated Law Program allows students to complete their bachelor’s degree in three years. They then move directly into Southern University Law Center to begin legal studies.
University officials created the program to make law school more accessible. Students receive academic guidance, early exposure to legal education, and a guaranteed admission pathway if they meet program requirements.
Grambling State President Martin Lemelle said students can save between $16,000 and $18,000 in tuition and fees by completing both degrees through the accelerated track.
Connie Walton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said the savings can extend far beyond tuition.
“That’s a huge savings,” Walton said. “Then, when you consider that students will likely apply to fewer law schools, there are additional savings associated with reduced application fees.”
Walton explained that housing, meals, and other education-related expenses could raise the total savings to nearly $100,000.
Support Begins Early
The program offers support at every stage of the student journey. Both institutions have built services into the pathway to help students succeed.
Southern University Law Center will provide pre-law programs, workshops, and mentoring opportunities. Grambling State will offer dedicated academic advising, LSAT preparation, and structured guidance from faculty advisers.
Walton said students must prepare for more than just the exam itself. She noted that the LSAT now tests both logical reasoning and writing skills.
“The LSAT has two components now: the multiple-choice logical reasoning part, and the other one is that the student has to be able to write and make an argument,” Walton said.
She added that Grambling State plans to place greater emphasis on writing development for students in the program.
“That’s going to force us at Grambling State University to make sure that the writing that we require of our students who’ve been selected for the program will develop the skills that are needed in making a good argument.”
Students Start Planning Early
University leaders plan to identify interested students as early as their freshman year. Advisers will help them choose courses that align with law school requirements.
By sophomore year, students will already follow an academic path designed for admission to Southern University Law Center.
Lemelle believes early planning plays a major role in student achievement.
“If you plan them correctly, you put the resources behind it, you’re going to realize success, and the student will realize success.”
The law pathway joins several accelerated degree options already available at Grambling State. One example is the university’s partnership with Logan University’s College of Chiropractic. That program allows biology majors to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in six years.
Expanding Opportunities for Future Attorneys
University leaders view the agreement as part of a larger effort to increase access to graduate and professional education. They also want to strengthen career readiness and create more pathways into high-demand professions.
Lemelle highlighted Southern University Law Center’s performance on the July 2025 bar exam. The school recorded a bar passage rate of about 75 percent. Tulane Law School reported a 69 percent passage rate during the same period.
The results provide students with a direct route to a law school that has demonstrated success in preparing graduates for legal careers.
The program also introduces students to legal professionals much earlier than many traditional pathways.
“There are a whole lot of role models that they will be exposed to by being a part of this degree program with Southern University Law Center,” Walton said.
She believes those connections can help students stay focused on their career goals.
“When a student can identify with the profession, the sooner they can develop that identity, and they’re going to stick with that path.”
The partnership between Grambling State University and Southern University Law Center offers a shorter route to a law degree. Students can save time and reduce education costs. The program also provides academic support, mentoring, and career-focused guidance from the start.
By combining affordability with structured preparation, the six-year pathway creates a practical option for students who want to pursue a legal career in Louisiana and beyond.
