TempleLaw Scholars Program
Program Description
Temple University School of Law and the Temple University Fox School of Business and Management have created a program for exceptional students who plan on attending law school. The TempleLaw Scholars Program provides an opportunity for outstanding students to gain provisional admission to Temple University School of Law at the same time they are accepted into the Fox School of Business and Management. As TempleLaw Scholars, students will spend their undergraduate years in Temple's Honors Program with a major in Legal Studies, after which they will enroll in Temple University School of Law, leading to the degree of Juris Doctor.
The TempleLaw Scholars Program offers two options:
- The 3/3 option offers an accelerated experience in which the student begins law school after three years of undergraduate work in the Honors program, the Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a major in Legal Studies is awarded after completion of the first year of law school, and the law degree is received after three years of law school. 3 Year Form
- The 4/3 program offers an enriched undergraduate experience in which the student receives the Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a major in Legal Studies after four years in the Honors Program, and the law degree after three years of law school. 4 Year Form
Students who wish to seek additional work experience prior to matriculating in law school can also be granted a one year deferral between college and law school.
Application to the TempleLaw Scholars Program will take place at the same time the student applies to the Fox School of Business and Management. The application materials will include the Temple undergraduate admission application, the TempleLaw Scholars application, three letters of recommendation, and an essay on a topic assigned by the TempleLaw Scholars Admissions Committee. An interview may also be required. The deadline for the receipt of all application materials is February 1. Applicants will be notified of the TempleLaw Scholars admission decision by March 15.
The TempleLaw Scholars Program is highly selective. To be considered, an applicant must be accepted into the Honors Program of the Fox School of Business and Management with a major in Legal Studies. High class standing, high SAT scores, and superior letters of recommendation are expected, as is an articulate, thoughtful essay. In addition, other criteria are important, including: above average maturity; community service; leadership; and a genuine commitment to the legal profession and service to others. The law school is particularly interested in participants from groups under represented in the legal profession.
During their undergraduate years, TempleLaw Scholars are expected to comply with all Temple University standards for performance and conduct, satisfy all academic requirements of the Fox School of Business and Management with a major in Legal Studies, as well as all requirements of the Honors program, and all entrance requirements of the School of Law. All TempleLaw Scholars must earn a final cumulative grade point average of 3.4 (on a scale of 4.0), achieve a score on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) at the 70th percentile mark (currently 156 on a scale of 120 to 180), and receive a letter of recommendation to the law school from the Director of the Honors Program. The Director's letter should address the student's motivation and personal qualities suitable for success in law school and in a legal career. Because of high ethical standards to which lawyers are held, the Dean's letter should also comment on the student's character and fitness for the practice of law. In addition, all TempleLaw Scholars will be expected to perform 50 hours of supervised community service during the junior or senior year of college and participate in a co-operative program in the legal field as determined by the Department of Legal Studies.
Prior to law school matriculation, students must have successfully completed 93 credits as a Temple undergraduate and have satisfied the requirements of the degree program in the Fox School of Business and Management with a major in Legal Studies. The 30 credits earned in the first year of law school will be applied as credits toward the bachelor's degree from the Fox School of Business and Management. The first-year curriculum at the law school consists of the following required courses: Contracts I & II (6 credits); Legal Research and Writing I & II (4 credits); Legal Decision Making (3 credits); Torts (4 credits); Criminal Law I (3 credits); Constitutional Law (3 credits); Civil Procedure I (3 credits); and Property (4 credits). On a case by case basis, the Fox School of Business and Management may agree to partial acceptance of law school credits towards the bachelor's degree for a student who chooses to withdraw from law school, is academically dismissed, or who fails a course. If the Legal Studies Department accepts any of these 30 law school credits in fulfillment of their major requirements, these credits will also count as upper level Fox School of Business and Management credits.
The TempleLaw Scholars program will provide an enriched undergraduate experience. Scholars will take advantage of special opportunities that will be offered by Temple University's School of Law and the Department of Legal Studies of the Fox School of Business and Management each year, including: attendance at special lectures and events; participation as jurors and witnesses in the law school's trial advocacy program; participation in Phi Alpha Delta, the student organization for those interested in a career in the legal profession, mentoring by law school faculty, students and administrators; and visiting law school classes.
In order to provide these unique educational opportunities, the program will be kept small. We anticipate that no more than 20 students per class will participate.