AUM, Faulkner create accelerated pathway for students to earn bachelor’s, law degrees
Auburn University at Montgomery students interested in pursuing a legal career will have a new opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor in six years through an accelerated academic partnership with Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law.
AUM Chancellor Carl A. Stockton and Faulkner University President Mitch Henry signed a memorandum of understanding on July 6, officially establishing the partnership between the two Montgomery institutions.
The agreement creates a pathway commonly known as a “3+3” program, allowing eligible AUM students to complete three years of undergraduate coursework at AUM before enrolling at Faulkner Law. A student’s first year of law school will satisfy the remaining requirements for the student’s bachelor’s degree, while the final two years will complete the Juris Doctor program and prepare graduates to sit for state bar exams.
The accelerated pathway enables students to earn both degrees in six years instead of the traditional seven, creating a more efficient and cost-effective route to a legal education while maintaining the high academic standards held by both institutions.
“This agreement reflects AUM’s commitment to creating meaningful academic pathways that help students reach their goals more efficiently and affordably,” said Stockton. “By partnering with Faulkner Law, we are giving motivated students a clear route to pursue a legal education while remaining connected to the Montgomery community. We are proud to work with Faulkner University on this program and are excited about what this partnership will mean for our students and the communities they will one day serve.”
Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law has a longstanding tradition of preparing graduates for successful legal careers throughout Alabama and beyond. Alumni of the law school serve in a wide range of leadership positions across the legal profession, including district attorneys, public defenders and circuit court judges. Two Faulkner Law graduates currently serve as justices on the Alabama Supreme Court.
“We’re excited about this opportunity,” Henry said. “It should be a wonderful recruiting opportunity for AUM and a way for us to add students to our enrollment here at Faulkner. I’m excited to work together as two sister institutions in this wonderful city of Montgomery, Alabama.”
The partnership strengthens AUM’s commitment to expanding academic opportunities for students while supporting the region’s need for skilled attorneys prepared to serve communities across the state and the nation.
