From Classroom to Courtroom Faster: USD School of Law and UC San Diego Launch Accelerated Pathway for Future Lawyers

New partnership streamlines route for aspiring attorneys to earn bachelor’s and law degrees in six years

For students at the University of California San Diego dreaming of a legal career, the road to law school just got shorter — and a lot more certain.

UC San Diego and the University of San Diego School of Law have partnered to create the Accelerated Pathway to USD School of Law, a new opportunity that allows high-achieving UC San Diego undergraduates to earn both their bachelor’s and law degrees in six years instead of seven.

“We are delighted to welcome UC San Diego students into this partnership,” said Robert Schapiro, dean of the USD School of Law and C. Hugh Friedman Professor of Law. “This exciting collaboration between our two renowned institutions reflects our shared commitment to prepare the next generation of lawyers to serve society with integrity, wisdom, and compassion. Together, we are strengthening legal education and expanding access to justice in San Diego.”

The Accelerated Pathway to USD School of Law builds on a long-standing connection between the two universities: UC San Diego graduates already make up one of the largest groups entering USD School of Law each year.

“UC San Diego is committed to creating opportunities that connect education with real-world impact,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “By aligning world-class undergraduate education with a premier local law school, we’re reducing time and cost barriers and keeping homegrown talent in San Diego to serve our communities.”

Developed in collaboration with UC San Diego’s Department of Political Science in the School of Social Sciences, the program offers early advising, LSAT preparation and hands-on learning for students interested in law, policy and civic engagement. A dedicated student affairs advisor will help participants with academic planning and the transition into USD School of Law.

“This partnership gives our students a clear and confident path into law school,” said Lawrence Broz, chair of the Department of Political Science in UC San Diego’s School of Social Sciences. “It reduces uncertainty, saves time and tuition costs, and connects two outstanding San Diego institutions committed to academic excellence and public service.”

Students who meet the GPA and LSAT standards established by USD School of Law will receive presumptive admission to the J.D. program. Each year, up to 25 students will be admitted through the pathway.

The pathway also extends the work of the Krinsk-Houston Law & Politics Initiative in the Department of Political Science, which has fostered strong partnerships with USD School of Law through joint workshops, mentoring and pre-law programming.

Maysa Nichter, director of the Krinsk-Houston Law & Politics Initiative, said the new agreement expands those efforts. “Our students gain real support and a sense of direction early on,” she said. “It’s about creating a clear bridge from curiosity about law and politics to purposeful entry into the legal profession.”

While the pathway is designed for highly motivated political science majors who can complete their degree requirements within three years, students from other UC San Diego majors may participate if they meet the GPA requirements and complete at least three Public Law courses in the Department of Political Science. Participation is nonbinding—students can take advantage of the advising and workshops while still applying to other law schools.

The first cohort will be identified in Fall 2026, with admission to USD Law beginning in December 2027.

Interested to learn more? Contact UCSD Political Science Department to register for upcoming Accelerated Pathways to USD School of Law virtual information sessions.

About the University of San Diego School of Law

Each year, USD educates approximately 800 Juris Doctor and graduate law students from throughout the United States and around the world. The law school is best known for its offerings in the areas of business and corporate law, constitutional law, intellectual property, international and comparative law, public interest law and taxation.

USD School of Law is one of the 88 law schools elected to the Order of the Coif, a national honor society for law school graduates. The law school’s faculty is a strong group of outstanding scholars and teachers with national and international reputations and currently ranks 34th nationally among U.S. law faculties in scholarly impact and 35th nationally in past-year faculty downloads on the Social Sciences Research Network (SSRN). The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Founded in 1954, the law school is part of the University of San Diego, a private, independent, Roman Catholic university chartered in 1949.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is among the Top 20 Best Private Schools for Making an Impact according to The Princeton Review. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.