Qualified recipients will receive $90,000 over three years at UC Irvine School of Law and, if enrolled in the 3+3 pathway, could earn their Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees in six years, as opposed to the traditional seven.
IRVINE, Calif. (June 12, 2024) — The University of California, Irvine School of Law and the School of Social Sciences have established a collaboration to offer UC Irvine’s Social Sciences students access to an accelerated Bachelor’s/Juris Doctor degree pathway at the School of Law, along with substantial scholarship funds.
UC Irvine’s new scholarship initiative and 3+3 articulated pathway between these schools underscore the University’s commitment to interdisciplinary excellence and its belief that a social sciences degree provides a robust foundation for a career in law. This collaboration supports UC Irvine students interested in a rigorous curriculum tailored to the intersection of social sciences and law. Both schools boast many faculty who excel in interdisciplinary work — from the Law School’s socio-legal and environmental law scholars to the School of Social Sciences’ scholars on behavioral economics and cognitive neuroscience.
Additionally, both schools emphasize experiential learning. UC Irvine School of Law offers a variety of clinical, externship, and pro bono programs oriented to social sciences, such as its Community and Economic Development clinic, United Nations externship and Alternative Spring Break pro bono program. UC Irvine Social Sciences students engage in fieldwork globally, exploring critical issues of peace, politics, and migration, and work in cutting-edge labs focused on cognitive robotics, behavioral economics, and more.
This initiative underscores our commitment to providing accessible, interdisciplinary, and innovative educational pathways for future leaders. By integrating legal and social science perspectives, we aim to empower students to tackle complex societal issues and drive positive change in our communities.
Austen Parrish
UC Irvine School of Law Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law
Through this constellation of interdisciplinary program offerings, students can cultivate knowledge and skills preparing them for careers addressing pressing societal challenges at the intersection of law and social sciences, such as artificial intelligence, digital privacy, healthcare reform, environmental policy, housing affordability, and human rights.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to providing accessible, interdisciplinary, and innovative educational pathways for future leaders,” said UC Irvine School of Law Dean and Chancellor’s Professor of Law Austen Parrish. “By integrating legal and social science perspectives, we aim to empower students to tackle complex societal issues and drive positive change in our communities. We look forward to welcoming talented UC Irvine School of Social Sciences students who are ready to hit the ground running.”
“I am thrilled that this partnership with the School of Law will enable our best and brightest to pursue the kind of legal training that will help them creatively address the challenges facing society today and in the future, and am grateful to the School of Law and its leadership for helping make this possible,” said UC Irvine School of Social Sciences Dean and Professor of Anthropology; Law; and Criminology, Law and Society Bill Maurer.
Under this collaborative effort, UC Irvine School of Law and UC Irvine School of Social Sciences introduce two innovative programs:
UC Irvine School of Law Scholarship Program for Social Sciences Scholars: Removing Financial Barriers
UC Irvine School of Social Sciences Dean
Photo credit: Steve Zylius/UCI
The newly established UC Irvine School of Law Scholarship Program for Social Sciences Scholars aims to provide talented students from UC Irvine’s School of Social Sciences with the means to pursue a legal education at UC Irvine School of Law, one of the nation’s premier public law schools. Recipients admitted to UC Irvine School of Law’s Juris Doctor (J.D.) program will receive a guaranteed $90,000 scholarship over three years, regardless of residency status, to offset tuition expenses. To be eligible for the guaranteed scholarship, applicants must meet or exceed the minimum UGPA and LSAT score, at least equal to the median for the UC Irvine School of Law entering J.D. class of the prior year.
3+3 Articulated Pathway: Accelerating the Path to a J.D.
In addition to the scholarship initiative, UC Irvine School of Law and UC Irvine Social Sciences offer the 3+3 articulated pathway, providing high-achieving students an accelerated pathway to earn both their Bachelor’s and Juris Doctor degrees in six years, instead of the traditional seven. Participants must fulfill all undergraduate and School of Social Sciences degree requirements by the end of their third year at UC Irvine. Successful applicants will receive a $90,000 scholarship over three years to support their legal education at UC Irvine School of Law, along with mentorship opportunities through a structured program.
I am thrilled that this partnership with the School of Law will enable our best and brightest to pursue the kind of legal training that will help them creatively address the challenges facing society today and in the future, and am grateful to the School of Law and its leadership for helping make this possible.
Bill Maurer
UC Irvine School of Social Sciences Dean and Professor of Anthropology; Law; and Criminology, Law and Society
“By integrating legal and social science perspectives, we aim to empower students to tackle complex societal issues and drive positive change in our communities,” said Dean Parrish. “UC Irvine School of Law looks forward to welcoming talented UC Irvine Social Sciences students interested in making a transformative impact in law and social policy.”
A leader in innovation and reinventing legal education, UC Irvine School of Law to date has announced nine interdisciplinary partnership pathways designed to recruit talented students to the Law School. For more information about these programs, please contact:
Cristina Gapasin Tortal
Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services
cgapasin@law.uci.edu
About the University of California, Irvine School of Law
The University of California, Irvine School of Law is a visionary law school that provides an innovative and comprehensive curriculum, prioritizes public service, and demonstrates a commitment to equity within the legal profession. Nearly half of all UCI Law’s J.D. graduates are people of color, and almost a third are first-generation students. At UCI Law, we are driven to improve our local, national, and global communities by grappling with important issues as scholars, as practitioners, and as teachers who are preparing the next generation of leaders. The collaborative and interdisciplinary community at UCI Law includes extraordinary students, world-renowned faculty, dedicated staff, engaged alumni, and enthusiastic supporters. Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Threads, and sign up for our monthly newsletter for the latest news and events at UCI Law.
About the University of California, Irvine School of Social Sciences
The University of California, Irvine School of Social Sciences has been breaking down traditional barriers to create change in society, economies, and for human well-being for more than 50 years. Our world-class faculty and groundbreaking research centers foster interdisciplinary connections across fields such as computer science, engineering, the arts, and humanities. We are dedicated to educating students to confront 21st-century challenges and lead transformative change in diverse fields. Follow us on Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and visit our website to learn more.