Widener Law Commonwealth Signs First-Ever Ohio 3+3 Agreement with Youngstown State University
Widener University Commonwealth Law School has finalized a new 3+3 dual admissions agreement with Youngstown State University, opening a streamlined pathway for YSU students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a juris doctor in just six years.
This is Widener Law Commonwealth’s first 3+3 partnership in the state of Ohio and marks a significant expansion of the law school’s regional recruitment efforts. The agreement allows qualified YSU students to begin law school at Widener during what would traditionally be their senior undergraduate year, accelerating their entry into the legal profession.
“Widener Law Commonwealth was founded with a mission to provide personal, practical, and professional legal education, and that mission now extends into the heart of the Buckeye State,” said Dean andré douglas pond cummings. “Youngstown State has a proud tradition of academic excellence and civic engagement, and we are honored to build this bridge between our institutions. This partnership recognizes the talent and ambition of YSU students and offers them an efficient and affordable route to legal practice.”
Youngstown State University, located in northeastern Ohio, enrolls more than 11,000 students and is known for its deep ties to the Youngstown community, strong academic programs, and commitment to student success. The university's focus on fostering leadership and service aligns with Widener Law Commonwealth’s emphasis on preparing ethical, justice-oriented attorneys.
“This 3+3 agreement has been years in the making, and we’re thrilled to finally see it come to life,” said Matthew Kerns, associate dean of admissions at Widener Law Commonwealth. “YSU students are gaining access to a law school that offers close faculty mentorship, direct proximity to Pennsylvania’s capitol, and a wide range of hands-on opportunities which include externships, judicial clerkships, and legal clinics.”
Mark C. Vopat, PhD, distinguished professor of philosophy and director of the Dr. James Dale Ethics Center at YSU, emphasized the value the program brings to students. “Although philosophy is a valuable area of study for personal development, logical and critical thinking, writing, and argumentation skills, many students—and often their parents—are concerned about its practical application,” Vopat said. “The 3+3 program takes those valuable skills and allows students to apply them to the study of law. It’s an excellent preparation for both success in law school and a career in law.”
Under the terms of the agreement, students admitted to the program will complete three years of undergraduate coursework at YSU before transferring to Widener Law Commonwealth to begin the three-year juris doctor program. After their first year of law school, applicable credits will be transferred back to YSU to fulfill remaining undergraduate requirements. Students may apply for financial aid through Widener Law Commonwealth and will be eligible for both need-based and merit-based assistance.
This agreement joins a growing network of 3+3 partnerships already in place at Widener Law Commonwealth, including Stockton University in New Jersey and several institutions across Pennsylvania. With the addition of YSU, the law school continues its mission of expanding access to legal education throughout the Mid-Atlantic and now into the Midwest.
