Assumption University Announces Partnership with Vermont Law and Graduate School 

Assumption University has announced a new partnership with Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) that will allow students to pursue an accelerated path to earning a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or master’s degree in law, policy, or government regulation.  

Through this partnership, students can earn a bachelor’s degree from Assumption and a J.D. from VLGS in only six years (three years at Assumption and three at VLGS), or a bachelor’s degree from Assumption and a master’s degree from VLGS in only four years (three years at Assumption and one at VLGS). 

These programs are open to any Assumption student who maintains a grade point average of 3.3 or higher and completes a statement of interest and application by the end of their sophomore year. Students who are accepted into the dual degree program and meet GPA and LSAT thresholds above the prior year’s VLGS median are guaranteed admission with no application fee and are eligible for a minimum merit scholarship covering at least 30% of VLGS tuition. 

“This partnership is an excellent opportunity for Assumption students to earn a degree from a top environmental law school in the United States through an accelerated path that increases access to legal education,” said Michael Matraia, associate professor of accounting and pre-law advisor. “We are excited to continue our work in partnership with Vermont Law and Graduate School.” 

The agreement with VLGS expands Assumption’s four existing 3+3 partnerships with Duquesne University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, UMass School of Law, the University of St. Thomas School of Law, and Western New England University School of Law. 

“I’m excited about this new and improved partnership with Vermont Law and Graduate School,” said Carl Robert Keyes, professor of history and pre-law advisor. “We’ve had a guaranteed admissions agreement for more than a decade but adding the opportunity for Assumption students to complete both their undergraduate degree and law school in just six years instead of the usual seven enhances the opportunities available to ambitious students.” 

VLGS is located in South Royalton, Vermont, and offers graduate degrees focused on climate change, environmental justice, animal protection, and restorative justice. It is nationally recognized for its clinical training and legal writing programs.