Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 37 : Summer 2018 | Page 25

Maine Law, UMPI sign Accelerated Law Pathway agreement New 3+3 law degree program provides significant savings, expedited track to law school while working to increase number of attorneys practicing in Maine by University of Maine at Presque Isle In an effort to prepare the next generation of attorneys for positions that need to be filled in Aroostook County, officials with the University of Maine School of Law and the University of Maine at Presque Isle signed an agreement on May 3 providing an Accelerated Law Pathway for UMPI students. As part of this unique 3+3 law degree program, students in specific majors can study at UMPI for 3 years, and then apply for admission to the Juris Doctor program at the University of Maine School of Law. If accepted, they can transfer to the Portland campus to finish their final year from UMPI at the same time that they complete their first year of law school. Right now, this opportunity is available to students in UMPI’s Business program, but is expected to expand to other programs soon. “We are so pleased to be partnering with the University of Maine School of Law on this seamless pathway from a Bachelor’s degree to a law degree,” UMPI President Ray Rice said. “Not only does it open new doors for our students to careers in law, it also works to address the need for more attorneys practicing in rural Maine and right here in Aroostook County.” SUMMER 2018 23