ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ and the Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law have entered into a partnership to offer a 3+3 Accelerated Law Program.

The programΒ will allow qualified ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ students to earn both a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ and a Juris Doctor (J.D.)Β from Barry Law in six years.

β€œThis partnership with ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½Β will beΒ a game-changer for the next generation of law students in Orlando,” Barry Law Dean Leticia M. Diaz saidΒ following a signing ceremony with Michael Frumkin, dean of ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s College of Health and Public Affairs. β€œBarry Law has had a long and rewarding relationship with ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½, and the school already is well-represented in our student body. The 3+3 program will allow ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s most talented students to advance the path to their professional legal careers.”

The programΒ will beΒ the first of its kind in the Orlando area. Students pursuing a J.D. typically complete a four-year undergraduate program, followed by three years of law school. Under the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½-Barry Law 3+3 program, students spend three years at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ and three at Barry Law, completing the requirements for their ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ bachelor’s degree during their first year of law school.

β€œThis is an exciting opportunity for ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ and Barry Law,” Frumkin said. β€œWe see this as the beginning of a long-term partnership between the two institutions, both to enhance our respective educational efforts and to undertake joint projects focused on enhancing the quality of community life.”

ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½β€™s Legal Studies Chair James Beckman said the partnership’s potential is enormous. β€œBarry Law is a popular choice each year for numerous ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ students who desire to stay in Orlando after their undergraduate career,” he explained. β€œWe’re thrilled to be taking steps to solidify our relationship with Barry Law β€” and our students will definitely benefit from this new partnership in years to come.”

Deans Diaz and Frumkin signed an agreement for the 3+3 program this week. Once formally approved by the universities, the program will be available to students entering ΒιΆΉΣ³»­΄«Γ½ in the fall ofΒ 2014. Complete details on the program, including enrollment criteria, will be available at .