Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Juris Doctor Degree, 3+3

The Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Juris Doctor Degree, 3+3 program at Oakland University is an accelerated track to a career in law, public service, or a related field. This unique pre-law program allows students to earn a bachelor's degree in political science and a law degree from one of three partner law schools, completing both degrees in six years - one year faster than a traditional path.

Program Overview

Oakland University's political science major offers robust pre-professional training, giving students a competitive edge heading into law school. The program equips students to make a difference as lawyers, government officials, nonprofit advocates, or business leaders. By saving a year of tuition, the political science and law 3+3 program provides significant financial benefits.

Program Benefits

• Professional experience and connections: Students benefit from Oakland's tradition of civic engagement and wide network of community partners, with opportunities for internships and interactions with legislative bodies, government agencies, nonprofits, policy shops, lobbying firms, and similar organizations.
• Robust undergraduate research: Students can gain outstanding pre-law training as research assistants or collaborators, building their credentials and cultivating advanced research and writing skills.
• Exceptional faculty: The political science program is led by internationally recognized experts in various subjects, providing superior pre-law preparation that integrates classroom instruction with professional insights.
• A dynamic campus community: Students belong to one of the nation's most politically active student bodies, with high voting rates and diverse perspectives.
• Flexible curriculum: The political science degree offers a high degree of freedom in course selection, allowing students to tailor their studies to align with the law degree.

Career Opportunities

With both a political science bachelor's degree and a law degree, graduates enter the workforce with elite credentials. Upon passing the bar exam, they are qualified to practice law in a wide range of specialized areas, including:

• Litigation
• Taxes
• Torts
• Corporate law
• Criminal law
• Labor law
• Environmental law
• Immigration

Graduates can also pursue careers in fields such as:

• Public administration
• International policy
• Nonprofit leadership
• Business
• Journalism
• Education

Program Requirements

To be eligible for accelerated admission to law school under the 3+3 program, students must complete required courses for the political science major and university general education requirements by the end of their junior year. The 30 first-year law degree credits will also count as electives toward the bachelor's degree.

Related Programs

Oakland University offers other undergraduate degree programs related to the political science and law degree 3+3 program, including:

• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Specialization in Courts, Justice and Politics
• Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Public Policy
• Bachelor of Arts in International Relations

Current Internships

A variety of internships are available to students in the political science and law degree 3+3 program, including:

• Special Education Assistant - Health Aide
• Housing Navigator
• Wraparound Care Coordinator
• Capital Improvement Planning Intern
• Branch Leadership Trainee
• Security Manager
• Grant Writer Intern
• Emerging Leaders Program - Leadership Development Internship
• Seasonal Tax Preparer
• Volunteer Coordinator - Internship for Breast Cancer Nonprofit
• Tax Associate
• Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Family Support Unit Part-Time
• Service Aide
• Events & Development Manager
• Inpatient Neurology NP/PA
• Director Of Business Services
• College Completion Coach
• AdviseMI College Adviser
• District Office Congressional Internship
• Executive Director of Transportation
• Community Employment Coordinator/Client Services Manager
• 2026 Governmental Accounting Practice Summer Intern
• Sales Representative
• Education Graduate Summer Intern
• Medical Receptionist
• Legal Assistant/Paralegal
• Community Employment Coordinator/Client Services Manager
• American Cities Program Graduate Summer Intern
• Health Specialist
• Adoptive Parent Consultant- Wayne Country
• Juvenile Court Support Clerk
• Juvenile Court Support Clerk Senior
• Outreach Police Social Worker
• Volunteer Canvasser
• Judicial Court Clerk
• Mental Health Assistant
• Manager of Parks Strategic Planning & Performance
• Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
• Strategic Sourcing Agent
• Administrative Assistant
• Parks Project Advisor - Day Camp Development & Licensing
• Accountant Manager 12 - Non-Employee Travel Manager
• State Administrative Manager 15; Budget and Purchasing Division
• Legislative Internship (Volunteer)
• Financial Analyst: Grant Finance Sub-Unit
• Parks & Recreation Coordinator - Liveries
• Supervisor's Office Intern
• Special Events Coordinator
• Social Worker
• School Bus Driver (CA)
• Chief Financial Officer
• Outside Sales Representative/Territory Manager - Detroit
• Paid College Student Intern
• Dining Site Coordinator- Grange Acres
• MSW Resource Counselor
• Full Time Park Support Specialist
• 2026 GAM/USGA Boatwright Course Rating Internship
• Quality Assurance Analyst
• Case Aide
• Finance Business Manager Intern
• Student Assistant (-115)
• Foster Care Case Manager
• Case Aide
• Foster Care Case Manager
• Departmental Analyst (Trainee) 9-P11
• Mortgage Loan Officer
• Civil Litigation Associate - Conlin, McKenney & Philbrick, P.C.
• Flexible Holiday Help Part Time
• Entry Level Sales Rep Part Time
• Parks & Recreation Specialist
• Case Manager (RN)
• Office Manager
• Beach Safety Manager/Chief Lifeguard
• Recipient Rights Supervisor
• Engineer-Manager
• Affordable Housing Analyst (Financial Analyst)
• Family Law Paralegal
• Planner II/III
• Finance Assistant
• U.S. Probation / Pretrial Services Officer
• Housing Specialist
• Medical Assistant
• Lead Dental Hygienist
• Peer Support Specialist
• President and CEO - Catholic Foundation of Michigan
• Billing Specialist
• Front Desk Manager
• Call Center Substance Use Disorder Technician
• Summer Environmental Internship
• Advocacy Coordinator
• Gameday Operations Intern - Summer 2026
• Graphic Design Internship - Summer 2026
• Photography/Videography Internship - Summer 2026
• DOT Summer Internship
• Student Office Assistant
• Staff Auditor
• Paralegal or Legal Assistant
• Youth Employment Coordinator
• Tax Intern
• Office Assistant
• Golden Grizzlies Pantry Student Assistant (Work Study Needed)
• Civil Engineer I/II
• Communications Officer
• Student Activities Funding Board Chairperson
• Certified Nurse Aide Hancock
• Certified Nurse Aide Hancock
• Police Officer
• Police Officer
• POLICE SERVICE AIDE
• Police Officer-Recruit
• Recipient Rights Manager
• Recipient Rights Investigator
• Grant Writer
• Outside Sales Representative/Territory Manager - Grand Rapids
• Political Campaign Intern
• Political Campaign Intern
• Legal Assistant
• After-School Custodial Support
• Case Manager - Community Resources
• Clinician
• Children's Services Coordinator
• Registered Nurse- Float PRN (Allegan County, Jackson County, Livingston County, St Joseph County)
• Parking Security Associate
• Vice President of Finance and Administration
• Access Center Therapist
• Tax Intern
• Deputy Recruit
• Technical Recruiter
• Tax Associate
• Benefit to Work Coach
• Juvenile Development Specialist
• Teacher
• Program Services Manager (Bilingual Spanish)
• Police Cadet
• Nurse Aide or Nurse Aide in Training
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Program Support Aide
• PUBLIC NOTICE- DEA Criminal Investigators
• Social Work Supervisor
• Dining Site Coordinator
• Mobile Crisis Clinician
• Court Psychologist
• Mental Health Therapist
• Marketing Sales Representative
• Driver
• Driver
• Foster Care Case Manager
• Youth Specialist
• Management Training Program - Waterford
• Management Training Program - Royal Oak
• Management Training Program - Macomb
• Management Training Program - Troy
• Management Training Program - Warren
• Management Training Program - Wixom
• Management Training Program - Brighton
• Management Training Program - Grand Blanc
• Management Training Program - Ann Arbor
• Management Training Program - Farmington Hills
• Management Training Program - Saginaw
• Management Training Program - Ypsilanti
• Management Training Program - Sterling Heights
• Management Training Program - Southfield
• Management Training Program - Rochester Hills
• Management Training Program - Flint
• Management Training Program - Lapeer
• Oakland University Student Congress - Legislator
• Physician Assistant
• Nurse Practitioner
• Regional Coordinator, PauseAI US
• Adjunct Faculty - Economics
• Adjunct Faculty - Sociology
• Community Transition Navigator
• Support Professional, Student Life & Leadership - Office Manager
• Contingent Employment Opportunities