Oakland U., WSU partner to fast-track law degrees

In an era of declining enrollment at law schools nationwide, Wayne State University and Oakland University are partnering to offer a law degree to students in six years as opposed to seven, officials announced Tuesday.

Under the agreement, Oakland students must have completed 75 credits in an approved undergraduate degree. During OU students’ senior year, they will attend Wayne State’s law school and will transfer their first two semesters at the Detroit school to Oakland for completion of the bachelor’s degree.

The program would save students a year of tuition at Oakland, about $12,400.

Students must take the Law School Admission Test and meet all other admissions requirements for the Wayne State University Law School.

“We are thrilled to work with Oakland University to offer their students this unique opportunity,” said Wayne State law dean Jocelyn Benson. “Being able to complete their undergraduate and legal education in a shorter timeframe will allow these students to get a jumpstart on their careers and begin making a difference as legal professionals even sooner.”

James P. Lentini, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at Oakland, added: “Oakland University is proud to offer this partnership with Wayne Law. Our students, who are aspiring lawyers, will be able to pursue their dreams more quickly. We also recognize that saving a year of college tuition will reduce the financial burden for these students.”

The move comes as law schools nationwide have been grappling with falling enrollment. Cooley Law School, affiliated with Western Michigan University, closed its Ann Arbor campus last year after enrollment plummeted 40 percent.

Though Wayne State law school’s enrollment has mirrored national trends in previous years, the incoming class of 2015 includes 131 students, up 10 percent over last year’s class of 119 students.

For more information about the partnership, current and prospective Oakland students can contact David Lau at (248) 370-3229 orlau@oakland.edu. For more information about Wayne Law, contact Wayne Law Admissions at (313) 577-3937 orlawinquire@wayne.edu.