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November 3, 2015

Guilford, Elon Create Accelerated Pathway to Law Degree


Students at Guilford College now have the option of an accelerated pathway to Elon University School of Law under a new agreement between the two Greensboro institutions.

Elon Law will consider applications from exceptionally well-qualified Guilford students who have completed all required courses but still need more credits to graduate. If admitted, these students can enroll at Elon Law and begin earning credits toward a law degree. Appropriate credits earned at Elon Law can be transferred to Guilford to complete students’ bachelor degrees. Unlike most agreements of this kind, which are typically six-year programs, the Guilford College-Elon Law agreement enables students to earn a bachelor and law degree in five and a half years, substantially reducing costs and accelerating career starts.

The accelerated program provides motivated, talented students an opportunity to save time and money by starting law school at Elon after their junior year at Guilford, potentially saving a year’s worth of the time and tuition ordinarily required to earn a bachelor’s and a law degree.

“This agreement will allow talented students the opportunity to accelerate their education, moving from a rigorous undergraduate program at Guilford to the innovative law degree at Elon,” said Beth Rushing, Guilford’s vice president for academic affairs and academic dean.

“Our partnership with Guilford College is another way in which Elon Law is addressing the issues of time and cost associated with pursuing a law degree,” said Andy Haile, Elon Law’s associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of law. “We look forward to welcoming many dynamic Guilford College students into the Elon Law community.”

Guilford students must earn at least 92 credits toward the minimum of 128 required for graduation to qualify for the accelerated program. In order to be admitted to Elon Law, they must demonstrate superior academic ability and potential for leadership. LSAT scores must meet Elon Law’s rigorous standards for admission.

Founded in 1837 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Guilford College is distinguished by a commitment to the liberal arts, principled problem solving and social responsibility. Guilford is known for excellence in teaching, an interdisciplinary curriculum and service learning, and is committed to seven Core Values of community, diversity, equality, excellence, integrity, justice and stewardship. Learn more at guilford.edu.

Elon University School of Law is leading innovation in legal education by integrating traditional classroom instruction with highly experiential full-time residencies-in-practice in a logically sequenced program of professional preparation. This unique approach to legal education provides graduates with the knowledge, skills and ethics focus necessary to excel as 21st century lawyers. Designed to accelerate professional maturation, Elon Law’s groundbreaking approach is accomplished in two and one-half years, which provides distinctive value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their professional careers. Learn more at law.elon.edu.