Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law has partnered with Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, on an accelerated bachelor to J.D. program.
Under the 3+3 partnership, students will receive a bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay and a law degree from Cumberland in six years, instead of the traditional seven years of study.
“I’m very excited about this [partnership] and what this means for our students,” said Austin Peay Interim President Dannelle Whiteside.
Students at Austin Peay who have completed three-fourths of their undergraduate coursework will be eligible for admission to Cumberland. After a successful first year of the J.D. program, Austin Peay will award the student the appropriate bachelor’s degree. After the student completes the requirement for the J.D., the student will receive the degree from Cumberland.
Cumberland School of Law was founded at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1847, making it one of the oldest law schools in the country.
“I am particularly excited about this relationship with Austin Peay because of Cumberland’s historic roots in Tennessee,” said Cumberland School of Law Dean Corky Strickland. “This partnership really means a lot to us to be able to maintain our heritage and relationship with Tennesseans.”
Cumberland also has 3+3 partnerships with Samford University, Birmingham-Southern College, the University of Montevallo, Troy University and Tuskegee University, all in Alabama.
