An Agreement with Drake and University of Iowa Law Schools

Luther has agreements with the law schools at Drake University and The University of Iowa that enable students to begin law school after the junior year. Students interested in this option can go through the regular law school application during their junior year and must be accepted by Drake or University of Iowa. If accepted, they will receive the B.A. degree from Luther after successfully completing the first year of law school. Students opting for this must have completed 96 credit hours at Luther, all of the general education requirements, and all of the requirements for the major prior to matriculating at the law school.

Check out the Drake University Law School newsletter for more info.

We believe that there are good reasons for doing the traditional four years at Luther prior to entering law school, but we also recognize that for some students this 3+3 approach makes sense. Students considering this option need to work closely with their academic advisor and either of the pre-law advisors (John Moeller, Steve Holland and Carly Hayden Foster).

Here's what a recent graduate had to say about the program:

The 3+3 program with Drake has been the best decision I've made for my education. I was able to shave a year off of college which helped me financially and allowed me to practice a year earlier.

I’m currently in my last year of law school. I’ve been clerking at Lamarca Law Group, PC in Des Moines for over a year. Prior to that, I was in the Iowa House as a legal clerk and the Governor’s office as a clerk. After I graduate, I’ll likely stay in Des Moines to practice.

Drake Law School has been wonderful. The professors are helpful and easy to talk to, much like they are at Luther. People are friendly and ideologically diverse. Unlike many other law schools, I really don’t feel like I am competing with my peers. If I need help, I can ask a fellow student. We also have weekly “bar review” events where we socialize. Overall, I feel like I’ve gotten a great education, and am well prepared to practice.

—Eugene Nassif '16