MSU 3+3 Accelerated Law program celebrates first graduate

When Mississippi State launched its 3+3 Accelerated Law program in 2024, the goal was straightforward: give qualified students a faster path from undergraduate study to a career in law. Now, that pathway has produced its first graduate.

Caroline Griffith is the first Mississippi State student to earn a bachelor’s degree through the university’s 3+3 Accelerated Law program, marking an important milestone for a partnership designed to help students save both time and money while pursuing a legal career.

The 3+3 Accelerated Law program allows qualifying MSU students to complete approximately 75% of their bachelor’s degree requirements before applying to participating law schools. After being admitted, students begin their first year of law school, or 1L, in what would traditionally be their senior year of undergraduate study.

The program allows students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and law degree in approximately six years rather than the traditional seven, reducing the time and cost required to complete the two degrees. The 30 hours of first-year law coursework can be applied toward the remaining requirements for the student’s bachelor’s degree at MSU while also counting toward the student’s Juris Doctor.

The program is offered through partnerships with Mississippi College School of Law, now known as Mississippi Christian University School of Law, and the University of Mississippi School of Law. Students may pursue the pathway through customizable degrees such as the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies or Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, with approval for their individual degree plans.

Griffith, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from MSU, participated in the program through the College of Arts and Sciences before beginning law school at MCU School of Law.

Griffith’s journey to becoming the program’s first graduate began before she arrived at MSU. After high school, she attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where she continued her soccer career rather than immediately attending a four-year university.

Although the decision took her away from many friends who had gone directly to MSU, Griffith said the experience taught her lessons that continue to shape her approach to academics, work and life.

“Being a part of a team and having my coach hold me accountable inside and outside of soccer shaped how I approach everything I do today,” Griffith said. “Being able to juggle life as an athlete and as a student was an important lesson that I carried with me when I was a student at MSU and now as a law student.”

Griffith knew she wanted to attend law school after completing her undergraduate degree, but the 3+3 program offered an opportunity to begin that next step sooner than she had expected.

“When I saw on social media that there was a new opportunity to potentially go earlier than I expected, I jumped on it,” Griffith said. “There was no way I would have been able to graduate early, so this was my only chance to go [to law school] after my junior year at State.”

Pursuing the opportunity meant navigating the LSAT and law-school application process earlier than she had originally planned while continuing to meet her MSU academic requirements.

“It was a big decision since I had not yet planned to take the LSAT or to begin the application process for law school,” Griffith said. “It took a lot of effort between Mississippi State classes and studying for the LSAT, but I was able to accomplish my goal with the help of my counselor.”

As one of the first students to navigate the new pathway, Griffith had to make significant adjustments to her academic plan.

“I had to change my major and take 19 hours my last semester there, but I had plenty of support from Kate Sawaya at MSU,” Griffith said. “I knew that she would get me through the program as long as I did what I needed to do in order to become eligible to participate. Her guidance was invaluable to me.”

Sawaya, the director of academic relations for advising and student success for the

College of Arts and Sciences, helped Griffith navigate the requirements of the new program and prepare for the transition to law school.

“Caroline’s graduation is an exciting milestone for Mississippi State and for the 3+3 Accelerated Law program,” Sawaya said. “She is the first student to complete this pathway, and her success demonstrates what is possible when students have the flexibility to design an academic plan that supports their long-term goals.”

She said the transition from undergraduate studies to law school was an adjustment, but a welcoming environment helped ease the process.

“When I first started, of course I was nervous, but the professors, deans and students made me feel welcome,” Griffith said.

Griffith also is beginning to find her area of interest within the legal profession. During the summer, she interned at the Madison County District Attorney’s Office, an experience that introduced her to the work of prosecutors and helped shape her career goals.

“Before that internship I had no idea what area of law I would one day want to practice,” Griffith said. “That internship solidified my decision that I would be very interested in becoming a prosecutor. Every day was different and I got the opportunity to watch the ADAs in a courtroom environment.”

Becoming the first student to complete MSU’s 3+3 Accelerated Law program has given Griffith an opportunity to help establish a pathway that future students can follow.

“Being the first graduate of MSU’s Accelerated Law program is an immense honor,” Griffith said. “I had no idea at the time that I would be the only one to take part in the program when it was first announced. I hope that my experience will encourage other students at MSU to take advantage of this opportunity.”

She said she will always be grateful for the opportunity and support she received from the university.

“I will be forever grateful to MSU for opening the door to this program and guiding me throughout the process,” Griffith said.

For Mississippi State, Griffith’s graduation represents more than an individual academic achievement. It demonstrates that the university’s accelerated pathway can help students move from undergraduate study into professional education on a timeline that better fits their goals.

For more information about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and the 3+3 Accelerated Law program, visit www.cas.msstate.edu.

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by Sarah Nicholas