Carla Cannizzaro
Academic Coordinator
English Major: Law 3+3 Option (B.A.)
English Major: Law 3+3 Option (B.A.)
What is the English/law 3+3 option?
If you’re interested in law school, our English/law 3+3 degree program offers the possibility of earning both a bachelor's degree and a law degree in six – rather than seven – years of study. After completing three years as an undergraduate and gaining admission to the UNH Law School through the approved process, you will become a full-time first-year law student. After your first year of law study, the credits you earn will count toward the J.D. degree and as credits sufficient to complete UNH's requirements for the bachelor's degree.
Why study English/law at UNH?
UNH boasts both an excellent English program and a highly-ranked law school. Experience the ease and convenience of completing both degrees at one institution, as well as the savings in both time and money that this accelerated track offers. English study is excellent preparation for law school and a successful law career.
Potential careers
- Business executive
- Communications specialist
- Editor
- Government consultant
- Lawyer
- Publisher
- Writer
Curriculum & Requirements
The 3+3 program offers highly motivated UNH undergraduate students of English the possibility to earn both a bachelor's degree and a law degree in six, rather than seven, years of study. After completing three years as an undergraduate and gaining admission to the UNH Law School through the approved process, the 3+3 program participant will become a full-time first-year law student. Upon successful completion of the first year of law study, the credits earned will be counted toward the JD degree and as elective credits sufficient to complete UNH's requirements for the bachelor's degree.
Eligibility and Admission Process
STEP ONE: Application to the 3+3 English/Law B.A./JD option
Students apply to the program either when they submit their applications to UNH, selecting the English/JD option on the online application, OR after they are admitted to UNH, by applying directly to the English Department’s “English/Law 3+3 Committee.” In both cases, undergraduate applicants must fulfill the general requirements for admission to the English major.
Students applying at the time of admission to UNH will typically present the following high school credentials:
- A 3.5 GPA in high school (UNH recalculates high school GPA’s to a 4.0 weighted scale)
- A rigorous high school curriculum defined as the following:
- 4 years of college prep (CP) or higher English
- 4 years of CP or higher mathematics
- 4 years of CP or higher social studies/history
- Completed at least level 3 of a foreign language
- 3 or more years of CP or higher laboratory sciencs.
- A recommended score of 1200 or better (combined Math and Verbal) on the SAT or a 29 on the ACT.
Currently enrolled UNH students applying to the program must:
- Have a 3.5 GPA in college courses at the time of application.The English Department committee governing admission to the 3+3 program will also consider past SAT scores, maturity, and the ability to complete a highly demanding program of study based on performance thus far.
- For both groups, it is important to note that satisfying these requirements does not guarantee admission to this program. The review process is holistic (meaning all parts of the application carry weight and influence the final decision) and other components of the application will influence any admission decisions. Available space within the program will also influence who is admitted and how many students can be accepted.
STEP TWO: Application to UNH Law school
To be eligible, students must:
- Complete all Discovery and major requirements, and accrue at least 98 credits before beginning law school in their Senior year.
- Maintain at least a 3.5 GPA (including transfer credits) at time of application to law school, and at the end of their Junior year.
- Take the LSAT no later than December of the final undergraduate yaer (i.e. the Junior year) and earn a score of 157 or above.
- Submit the law school application through the Law School Admissions Council by January of the calendar year in which the student wishes to enroll in law school.
The Path Through the English Undergraduate Major
Below is a suggested course outline to help guide English undergraduate students participating in the English/Law 3+3 program through completion of their major and Discovery program requirements. Variations to this suggested path of courses may be undertaken with the approval of the student’s English undergraduate advisor.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| ENGL 419 | Writing About Literature | 4 |
| Foreign Language Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| ENGL 500-level Course (512, 513 count as pre-1800 lit courses; 514, 515, 516 are post-1800 lit.) | 4 | |
Select one of the following: |
||
ENGL 512 |
British Literature I Age of Heroes: Beowulf to Dr. Faustus | |
ENGL 513 |
British Literature II Age of Revolutions: Shakespeare to Austen | |
ENGL 514 |
British Literature III: Revolts, Renewals, Migrations | |
ENGL #515 |
American Literature I Conquest and Nation: First Contact to the Civil War | |
ENGL 516 |
American Literature II Money, Migration, and Modernity: Huck Finn to Beloved | |
| Foreign Language or Elective (if FL is completed in one semester) | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| ENGL 500-level Course (512, 513 count as pre-1800 lit courses; 514, 515, 516 are post-1800 lit.) | 4 | |
Select one of the following: |
||
ENGL 512 |
British Literature I Age of Heroes: Beowulf to Dr. Faustus | |
ENGL 513 |
British Literature II Age of Revolutions: Shakespeare to Austen | |
ENGL 514 |
British Literature III: Revolts, Renewals, Migrations | |
ENGL #515 |
American Literature I Conquest and Nation: First Contact to the Civil War | |
ENGL 516 |
American Literature II Money, Migration, and Modernity: Huck Finn to Beloved | |
| Any 500-700 Level ENGL Course | 4 | |
| LAW 475 | Getting Ready to Succeed in Law School (Option: can instead be taken in second year spring or third year fall.) | 2 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| ENGL 600-700 Pre-1800 Literature Course (such a Shakespeare, Chaucer, Literature of Early America) | 4 | |
| ENGL 600-700 Post-1800 Literature Course (such as Victorian Novel, Contemporary American Literature, Postcolonial Literature) | 4 | |
| LAW 475 | Getting Ready to Succeed in Law School (If not previously taken.) | 0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| Discovery Course | 4 | |
| ENGL 600-700 Pre-1800 Literature Course (if you took 512 or 513, this can be any 600-700-level ENGL course.) | 4 | |
| ENGL 600-700 Post-1800 Literature Course (If you took 514, 515, or 516, this can be any 600-700-level ENGL course.) | 4 | |
| LAW 475 | Getting Ready to Succeed in Law School (If not previously taken.) | 0 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 600-700 Race Course Requirement | 4 | |
| ENGL 600-700-level Elective Course | 4 | |
| ENGL 787 | English Major Seminar | 4 |
| Elective Course | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 98 | |
TOTAL: 98 Credits (40 Discovery, 44 English, 4-8 Foreign Language, 4-8 Elective)
NEED: Beyond ENGL 401 First-Year Writing, 3 more WI courses, one in major, one at 600 level.
LAW 475: Students should take LAW 475 Getting Ready to Succeed in Law School at some point during their Sophomore year but no later than the first semester of their Junior year. This course, taught by a UNH Law School faculty member, will teach students how to prepare for a legal education. The course will instruct students on the LSAT exam and offer valuable strategies on how to improve LSAT scores. Such instruction will include administration of practice test questions as well as explanations for answers. This two-credit course will also explain the necessary study skills to excel in law school.
HONORS: It is not necessary to complete the honors program, but it is possible: Honors in Discovery + Honors in Major with Thesis (See addendum I) .
SEQUENCE: With the exception of ENGL 419 Writing About Literature and ENGL 787 English Major Seminar, English courses don’t need to be taken in any specific order; the guide above is only a suggestion. In general, 500-level courses should be taken before 600-700 level ones. However, a student could take a class that satisfies the Race Requirement in Semester I of Junior year rather than Semester II, or a pre-1800 600-700 level literature course in Semester II of Junior year. As long as all the categories listed above are met, students have the flexibility to choose the courses that best meet their interests and schedules. There are some writing and journalism courses that have prerequisites, and students should be careful to note these before choosing upper-level courses in those fields.
ADVISING: It is very important that students progressing through the 3+3 English/Law program maintain close contact with their degree advisor. This will help students remain “on track” to complete degree requirements, and the advisor will guide the student into the next phase of the program, admission to the Law school. Students who plan early and work closely with their advisor may find it possible to include study abroad and participation in other University programs, if desired, but only with careful planning.
All students participating in the English/Law 3+3 program are strongly encouraged to consult with the pre-law advisor on campus: Kevin Sousa, kevin.sousa@unh.edu; 603-862-2062, 110 Murkland Hall.
The Path Through UNH Law School
This is a possible Law School course outline. Variations to this suggested path of courses may be undertaken with the approval of the student’s Law school advisor.
Senior/First Year Law (31 credits)
| Fourth Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| LGP 920 | Contracts | 3 |
| LGP 909 | Civil Procedure | 4 |
| LGP 960 | Torts | 3 |
| LSK 919 | Legal Analysis and Writing 1 | 2 |
| LSK 900 | Legal Research and Information Literacy | 2 |
| LGP 900 | The Legal Profession | 1 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| LGP 969 | Article II Sales | 2 |
| LGP 916 | Constitutional Law | 4 |
| LGP 952 | Property | 4 |
| LSK 920 | Legal Analysis and Writing 2 | 3 |
| LIP 944 or LPI 912 | Fundamentals of Intellectual Property or Fundamentals of Law Practice | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 31 | |
The schedule and track of the second and third years of law school are directed by each student with careful advising from the law faculty.
Students in the English/law 3+3 option complete the requirements of the English major. See the Degree Plan for the recommended path through the English major.
Participation requires that students:
- Complete all discovery and major requirements and at least 98 credits before beginning law school
- Maintain a 3.5 or above grade point average, including transfer credits
- Take the LSAT no later than December of the final undergraduate year and have a score of 157 or above.
- Submit the law school application through the Law School Admissions by January 1 of the year in which the student wishes to enroll in law school.
As an English major, you must complete a minimum of 40 credits of major coursework with a grade of C- or better, the one exception is ENGL 419 Writing About Literature, which must be completed with a grade of C or better. You cannot use ENGL 401 First-Year Writing, ENGL #403 Exploring Literature, ENGL 415s, "Literature and..." courses, and ENGL 444s to satisfy major requirements. Note that any one course may satisfy more than one requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 419 | Writing About Literature 1 | 4 |
| Select two pre-1800 literature courses (select from list below) | 8 | |
| Select two post-1800 literature courses (select from list below) | 8 | |
| Select one course that addresses race, the construction of race, and racial theories (select from list below) | 4 | |
| Select one of the following options: | 8 | |
Option A: | ||
Two 500-level courses 2 | ||
Option B: | ||
ENGL/LING 405 | Introduction to Linguistics | |
One 500-level course 2 | ||
| Select six courses numbered 600 and above 3 | 24 | |
| Select one additional 500-, 600-, or 700-level English course of their choosing | 4 | |
| Capstone: | ||
| One 700-level class in addition to the 10-course major 4 | 4 | |
| 1 | This must be completed with a minimum grade of “C.” ENGL 419 Writing About Literature is the only 400-level class that may count towards the English major. ENGL #403 Exploring Literature, ENGL 415s, "Literature and..." courses and ENGL 444s will NOT count towards this major. |
| 2 | ENGL 501 Introduction to Creative Nonfiction may be included here. |
| 3 | You may include any advanced-level courses even if taken to fulfill literature requirements above. All writing courses numbered 600 and above may be included here. [ENGL 620 English Major Internship and ENGL 788 Senior Honors (previously numbered ENGL 695), cannot be used to satisfy major requirements.] |
| 4 | Minimum grade required: C. The course you select for your Capstone may not be double-counted toward English major requirements. At the time of registration , you must submit a Capstone Declaration form indicating the English course you're taking for capstone credit at the time of registration. You can pick up a capstone Declaration form in the English Department main office. |
Pre-1800 Literature Courses
Either two advanced courses (600-level and above) or one advanced course and either ENGL 512 British Literature I Age of Heroes: Beowulf to Dr. Faustus or ENGL 513 British Literature II Age of Revolutions: Shakespeare to Austen. Choose from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 657 | Shakespeare | 4 |
| ENGL 741 | Literature of Early America | 4 |
| ENGL 751 | Medieval Epic and Romance | 4 |
| ENGL #753 | Old English | 4 |
| ENGL #756 | Chaucer | 4 |
| ENGL 758 | Advanced Shakespeare | 4 |
| ENGL 759 | Milton | 4 |
| ENGL 767 | Literature of the Restoration and Early 18th Century | 4 |
| ENGL 768 | Literature of the Later 18th Century | 4 |
| ENGL #780 | Drama of Shakespeare's Contemporaries: Will and Company | 4 |
| ENGL #781 | English Drama, 1660-1800 | 4 |
| ENGL 783 | English Novel of the 18th Century | 4 |
Other courses may count. Please see your advisor if you have questions about other courses that might fulfill this requirement.
Post-1800 Literature Courses
Either two advanced courses, or one advanced course and one of the following: ENGL 514 British Literature III: Revolts, Renewals, Migrations, ENGL #515 American Literature I Conquest and Nation: First Contact to the Civil War, or ENGL 516 American Literature II Money, Migration, and Modernity: Huck Finn to Beloved.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL #609 | Ethnicity in America: The African American Experience in the 20th Century | 4 |
| ENGL 650 | Studies in American Literature and Culture 1 | 4 |
| ENGL 681 | Introduction to African Literatures in English | 4 |
| ENGL 690 | Introduction to African American Literature in America | 4 |
| ENGL 739 | American Indian Literature | 4 |
| ENGL 742 | American Literature, 1815-1865 | 4 |
| ENGL #743 | American Literature, 1865-1915 | 4 |
| ENGL #744 | American Literature, 1915-1945 | 4 |
| ENGL 745 | Contemporary American Literature | 4 |
| ENGL 746 | Studies in American Drama | 4 |
| ENGL 747 | Studies in American Poetry | 4 |
| ENGL #748 | Studies in American Fiction | 4 |
| ENGL #749 | Major American Authors | 4 |
| ENGL #769 | English Romantic Period | 4 |
| ENGL 771 | English Victorian Period | 4 |
| ENGL #772 | English Victorian Period | 4 |
| ENGL 773 | Literary Modernisms: Return, Revolt, Recycle | 4 |
| ENGL 774 | Modern & Contemporary British Literature: New Departures | 4 |
| ENGL 777 | The English Novel in the World | 4 |
| ENGL 784 | English Novel of the 19th Century | 4 |
| 1 | If topic is appropriate. (Please see your advisor if you have questions about other courses that might fulfill this requirement.) |
Course That Addresses Race, the Construction of Race, and Racial Theories
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 517 | Introduction to African American Literature and Culture | 4 |
| ENGL 550 | Introduction to the Literature and Culture of Race | 4 |
| ENGL #609 | Ethnicity in America: The African American Experience in the 20th Century | 4 |
| ENGL 690 | Introduction to African American Literature in America | 4 |
| ENGL 738 | Topics in Asian American Studies | 4 |
| ENGL 739 | American Indian Literature | 4 |
| ENGL #740 | Indigenous New England | 4 |
| ENGL 693 | Special Topics in Literature (subtopic R) | 4 |
| ENGL 797 | Special Studies in Literature (subtopic R) | 4 |
Other courses may count. Please see your advisor if you have questions about other courses that might fulfill this requirement.
The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0.
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
English majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery category requirement.
English majors may only count one online course toward their English major requirements.
Law School Requirements
The following summarizes the required curriculum and bar recommended curriculum. 85 credits are required for graduation.
Required courses include:
Administrative Process
Criminal Procedure
Professional Responsibility
Upper Level Writing Course
Upper Level Skills Course
Bar recommended courses include:
Personal Taxation
Business Associations
Wills, Trust & Estates
Evidence
Questions about the English/law 3+3 undergraduate program should be directed to Carla Cannizzaro, coordinator of the Department of English, 230F Hamilton Smith Hall, (603) 862-1313.
Questions about UNH Law School entry should be directed to Kevin Sousa, UNH Pre-Law Advisor, 110 Murkland Hall, (603) 862-2062.
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