Accelerated Entry Programs

Fast track your law degree, give yourself a head start or maintain the momentum from undergrad with our accelerated entry programs.

Summer Start Program

This program allows students to enter an academic environment on a more limited basis before undertaking a full course load. Our Summer Start Program is designed to position students for success and is perfect for students looking to maintain the momentum from undergraduate studies or for those returning to the classroom after time in the workplace, military service, or other life experiences. Start with confidence with Summer Start.

Timing and Overview

Our Summer Start Program enables students to begin their legal education in late May, rather than waiting for the fall semester after admission. By accelerating their knowledge in legal studies, students begin making professional connections that can foster employment opportunities and further develop themselves as lawyers. The Summer Start Program consists of two classes: Legal Analysis and either Criminal Law, Legislation, or another required doctrinal course with no prerequisites.

After completion of the program students begin the fall semester with three hours of law school credit and a first-hand familiarity with the law school, law school academics, and the legal community. As the pace of law school life eases a bit during the summer, participants may form strong bonds with fellow students, faculty, staff, and administration more so than during the traditional semester.

Scholarships are available for the Summer Start Program.

Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics (PPE) Plan

The PPE Plan at Oklahoma City University puts your law degree on the fast track. This program combines a specially designed undergraduate major with guaranteed or preferred admission to the university’s School of Law. This innovative approach allows talented students to complete the Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees in just six years, rather than the traditional seven years.

Application Process

The PPE Plan is a broad, interdisciplinary major specially designed with the assistance of the faculty of the School of Law, and takes its inspiration from the program in philosophy, politics, and economics at the University of Oxford. It includes coursework in economics, history, philosophy, government, statistics, literature, and emphasizes the development of strong writing skills. Participants in the PPE Plan may also participate in the university’s Honors Program.

The PPE Plan is open to any freshman student who is admitted to Oklahoma City University and who has any of the following:

  • A composite ACT score of 27 or higher
  • A combined math and verbal SAT score of 1220 or higher
  • A high school GPA of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • International students must also have an internet-based TOEFL (IBT) score of 100 or higher

Successful participants in the PPE Plan qualify for guaranteed or preferred admission to OCU Law. A participant with an LSAT score of 155 or higher and an undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or higher is guaranteed admission to the School of Law. Other participants receive a preference in admission to the School of Law over applicants from other undergraduate institutions. To qualify for guaranteed or preferred admission, the participant must meet the School of Law’s character and fitness requirements and apply by February 1st.

3+3 Program with Oklahoma State University

Students who complete at least 90 semester credit hours in a designated prelaw preparatory program at Oklahoma State University and are admitted to OCU Law are eligible. The appropriate baccalaureate degree will be awarded upon the successful completion of up to 30 semester credit hours in law school courses applicable to the OSU degree.

This option is available to students who have completed all of the following:

  • All degree requirements for the majors specified in the OSU course catalog as qualifying for the 3+3 Program
  • At least 30 semester credit hours of work at OSU
  • At least half of the upper-division credits in the major at OSU or 15 of the last 30 prior to attending law school
  • At least 60 semester credit hours at baccalaureate degree-granting institutions (credits from accredited professional schools that are part of baccalaureate degree-granting institutions will satisfy the 60 semester credit hour requirement)

3+3 Program with East Central University

Students who complete at least 95 credit hours in the ECU legal studies major are eligible for this program. This 3+3 program combines specifically designed undergraduate work and places qualified ECU legal studies majors on an accelerated track for application to OCU Law, which allows program students to complete their Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies and Juris Doctor degrees in six years rather than traditional seven years.

Program Requirements:

  • A composite ACT score of 18 or higher -or-
  • A composite SAT score of 1310 or higher AND
  • A high school GPA of 3.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale -or-
  • A transfer combined GPA of 3.0 after completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours

A student who meets the ECU undergraduate requirements with an LSAT score of 155 and above and an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 is guaranteed admission to OCU Law, provided that the student meets OCU Law’s character and fitness requirements and apply by March 1 of the year they intend to enroll. Other participants receive a preference in admission to the School of Law provided that the student meets OCU Law’s character and fitness requirements and apply by March 1 of the year they intend to enroll.

For more information about accelerated entry, please email us or call (405) 208-5354.