The University of Maine at Fort Kent and the University of Maine School of Law (Maine Law) have announced a collaborative academic degree program, a 3+3 program, that facilitates the completion of a bachelor’s and J.D. degree in six years instead of seven.

“In this pathway program, UMFK’s business and environmental studies students can study at UMFK for three years and then, if accepted into Maine Law, they can finish their final year of UMFK at Maine Law while simultaneously working on their law degree,” said UMFK’s President, Dr. Deb Hedeen. “Maine has a need for attorneys in rural areas, so we’re hopeful this will help fill that need.”

This pathway program allows students to accelerate their studies, saving time and tuition. Students will still be required to take the LSAT exam and meet Maine Law’s admission standards. Maine Law will mentor and guide UMFK 3+3 students they move through the program.

“Our 3+3 program offers highly motivated students the opportunity to expand their academic horizons and jumpstart their careers,” Maine Law Dean Leigh Saufley said. “We are excited to welcome more UMFK students to Maine Law and with them their passions and diverse experiences.”

“An exciting pathway 3+3 students can take is to incorporate our new Arctic Studies minor into their degree plan,” said Dr. Kaisa Holloway Cripps, Assistant Professor of Business at UMFK. “Law is important to the dynamic Arctic landscape as governance adapts to environmental changes in the polar regions. Students will have the opportunity at Maine Law to apply, for example, for the Arctic Law Fellowship and travel to the Arctic to expand their learning and scholarship.”

For more information on this accelerated law degree opportunity, please contact UMFK’s Admissions office at 207-834-7600 or umfklife@maine.edu or Maine Law at 207-780-4341 or lawadmissions@maine.edu.