Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS)

Earn a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor Degree in six years.

Western Colorado University and Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) have established a partnership that creates an accelerated 3+3 pathway for qualified students pursuing Business Administration or Politics and Government–Pre-Law studies. The program enables students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree in approximately six years, providing a seamless transition to law school while reducing the time and cost of completing both degrees. The agreement expands opportunities for Western students to explore careers in law and related fields.

Western Colorado University and Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) enter into this Articulation Agreement to cooperate in offering an accelerated academic program to highly qualified and motivated students. Both Western Colorado University and VLGS acknowledge that the successful implementation of this Articulation Agreement depends on dedicated endeavors by both parties to communicate the contents of this Agreement to all persons affected by it at both institutions, to communicate with each other on a regular basis, and to review this Agreement periodically.

PURPOSE

 The purposes of this Agreement are as follows:

1. This Agreement is designed for highly qualified and motivated students who are interested in combining their undergraduate education with a professional program in law, and a seamless transition from their undergraduate program to law school.
2. This Agreement is designed to provide highly qualified and motivated students the opportunity to achieve a Bachelor’s Degree and a Juris Doctor (JD) Degree in six years, allowing them to save time and money.
3. This Agreement is also designed to enhance the relationship between Western and VLGS and facilitate the development of other academic synergies, as well as opportunities for all Western Colorado University students to consider a professional program of study in law.

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

1. The dual degree program governed by this Agreement is a Bachelor’s Degree plus a traditional JD (referred to as the 3+3 program).
2. These dual degree programs are available to any qualified Western student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or the Politics and Government Pre-Law Emphasis, and they are designed for students interested in environmental law or other law specializations. Western students interested in pursuing a dual degree with VLGS are encouraged to pursue an undergraduate course of study that emphasizes critical reading, analytical, and expository writing skills.
3. Western students must apply for a dual degree program at Western no later than the end of their sophomore year and may not apply until the end of one semester of Early enrollment is encouraged to ensure that the student has completed all degree requirements (other than the total number of credits required for graduation) at Western before matriculating at VLGS. Western Colorado University students may declare their intention to apply to a dual degree program when they enter Western Colorado University.
4. Western students must submit a complete application to the Western 3+3 program coordinator no later than the end of their sophomore year. A Western student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 at all times after acceptance into the program; submit a degree plan developed with their advisor demonstrating how the student will complete all general education and major requirements by the completion of their junior year, except for those requirements that can be fulfilled by a course at VLGS; and submit a Statement of Interest to the Business Administration or Politics and Government Coordinator by the end of their sophomore year.
5. Western students who meet the requirements in paragraph 4 above are guaranteed admission to VLGS for the JD program if the following requirements are met:
   1. Western students must complete the application process required by VLGS no later than March 31 of their junior year. This includes taking the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) no later than February of their junior year; dual degree students are encouraged to take the LSAT by October of their junior VLGS will waive the application fee for students in the dual degree program.
   2. Western Students recommended by the Business Administration or Politics and Government 3+3 Coordinator who have achieved a GPA and LSAT score above the median acceptance scores at VLGS for the prior year.
6. If a dual degree program candidate fails to meet the academic requirements of the dual degree program, that student will still be eligible for admission to VLGS pursuant to this agreement, but as a regular VLGS student and not as a dual degree student. This means that the student must complete all the requirements of the Bachelor’s degree at Western Colorado University.
7. Dual degree candidates must complete their major and general education requirements by the end of their junior year. Dual degree program candidates may be allowed to count up to 30 credits from VLGS toward the major upper-division electives requirement.
8. Western Colorado University agrees to accept 30 credits from VLGS toward completion of the Bachelor’s Degree. The Bachelor’s Degree will be conferred upon receipt of an official transcript from VLGS demonstrating satisfactory completion of 30 credits of academic work at VLGS if all Western Colorado University graduation requirements have been met. A dual degree candidate is not required to complete the JD degree at VLGS to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Western.
9. No credit toward the JD degree will be granted by VLGS prior to matriculation into the JD degree program.
10. Dual degree students must be in good standing at both Western and VLGS at all times
11. Dual degree students will pay tuition and fees to Western Colorado University during the three years of study in residence at Western Colorado University prior to matriculation to at VLGS. Once a dual degree student matriculates at VLGS, the student will pay tuition and fees to VLGS. Tuition and fees will be determined separately by Western Colorado University and by Students who meet or exceed the median GPA and LSAT score of the first-year class in residence at VLGS at the time of admission will be granted a Merit Scholarship for at least $30,000 annually at Vermont Law and Graduate School. They may be eligible for additional VLGS institutional aid at the discretion of Vermont Law and Graduate School.
12. Dual degree students will apply for financial aid at Western Colorado University during the time they are in residence at Western and at VLGS during the time they are in residence at VLGS. Western Colorado University and VLGS will administer their financial aid programs according to their own policies, guidelines, and regulations.
13. Western Colorado University and VLGS agree to cooperate with each other in advertising and promoting this dual degree program. Western Colorado University and VLGS agree to provide each other with appropriate marketing materials, designs, logos, and similar materials to facilitate the advertising and promotion of this dual degree

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO VERMONT LAW AND GRADUATE SCHOOL

1. VLGS agrees to accept any Western Colorado University student who meets the qualifications designated in this agreement as long as that student completes the VLGS application process no later than March 31 of the junior year. Applications completed after this date will be considered, but admission to the dual degree program is not guaranteed.
2. VLGS reserves the right to withhold or revoke admission for, or deny graduation to, any student who has been subject to any form of academic or disciplinary action by VLGS, Western Colorado University, other educational or testing institutions, governmental or administrative agencies (including any branch of the armed forces), or employers or who have been charged with or convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation. VLGS also reserves the right to withhold or revoke admission if the applicant’s file contains, or subsequent investigation reveals, evidence of character and fitness concerns that would disqualify the applicant from admission to VLGS.
3. VLGS agrees to notify the Western Colorado University Program Coordinator if a dual degree student is subject to any academic or disciplinary action prior to the student’s receipt of the Bachelor’s degree.
4. VLGS agrees to provide an official transcript to Western Colorado University at the request of a dual degree student.
5. VLGS agrees to designate a Program Coordinator who will collaborate with the Western Colorado University Program Coordinator to discuss program requirements; to review progress of dual degree students during their undergraduate studies at Western Colorado University; to assist with advising dual degree students regarding preparation for study at VLGS and participation in the dual degree program; and to assist with advising dual degree students regarding the VLGS admissions process.
6. VLGS agrees that staff in its Admissions Office and Marketing/Communication Office will cooperate in the promotion of this program and in the admissions process for dual degree students.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO Western Colorado University

1. Western Colorado University agrees to designate a Program Coordinator who will oversee the implementation of this agreement at Western Colorado University.
2. Western Colorado University agrees to facilitate the enrollment of qualified students in the dual degree program through promotion of the program and by providing any information necessary for admission of a dual degree student to VLGS.
3. Western Colorado University agrees to confer the Bachelor’s Degree on all dual degree students who have successfully completed the degree requirements at Western Colorado University and satisfactorily completed 30 credits of academic work at VLGS, as long as that student is in good standing at both institutions.
4. Western Colorado University reserves the right to deny graduation to any student who has been subject to any form of academic or disciplinary action by VLGS, Western Colorado University, other educational or testing institutions, governmental or administrative agencies (including any branch of the armed forces), or employers, or who have been charged with or convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation.
5. Western Colorado University agrees to notify the VLGS Program Coordinator if a dual degree student is subject to academic or disciplinary action prior to the student’s receipt of the Bachelor’s degree.
6. Western Colorado University agrees that the Western Colorado University Program Coordinator will be available to discuss program requirements; to review progress of dual degree students during their undergraduate studies at Western Colorado University; to assist with advising dual degree students regarding preparation for study at VLGS and participation in the dual degree program; and to assist with advising dual degree students regarding the VLGS admissions process.

EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF AGREEMENT

1. This Agreement will be effective upon signature of both The initial term of this Agreement is for five years.
2. Continuation of the Agreement is subject to annual review and approval by both Western Colorado University and VLGS. The Agreement may be terminated by either Western Colorado University or VLGS no later than June 30 of any calendar year by submitting written notice to the official signing the Agreement and the Program Coordinator at the other Any student who has been accepted into the dual degree program before the date of notice of termination by either Western Colorado University or VLGS will be allowed to complete the dual degree program as if termination had not occurred.
3. This Agreement may be modified on the written agreement of both parties at any time.
4. This Agreement may be extended upon the written agreement of both Western Colorado University and If there is no written agreement to extend this Agreement after the fifth year and if notice of intent to terminate the Agreement is not provided by either Western Colorado University or VLGS, then this Agreement remains in force on a year- to-year basis until notice of termination is given by either Western Colorado University or VLGS.

NOTICE

Any written notice required by the Agreement may be given by email addressed to the designated official of each institution or their replacement and to the designated Program Coordinators or by paper copy sent to those individuals through the U.S. Postal Service or a commercial delivery service.